Báo cáo Nghiên cứu khoa học Management of Phytophthora Diseases in Vietnamese Horticulture: third six monthly

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development CARD Project Progress Report 052/04VIE: Management of Phytophthora Diseases in Vietnamese Horticulture MS5: THIRD SIX-MONTHLY July 2006 1 2 1. Institute Information Project Name Management of Phytophthora Diseases in Vietnamese Horticulture Vietnamese Institution National Institute of Plant Protection, Hanoi Vietnamese Project Team Leader Dr Nguyen Van Tuat Australian Organisation The University of Sydney Australian Personnel Professor David Guest Date commenced April 2005 Completion date (original) December 2006 Completion date (revised) April 2007 Reporting period Third 6-monthly report (18 months) Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader Name: Professor David Guest Telephone: (02) 9352.3946 Position: Professor of Horticulture Fax: (02) 9351.4172 Organisation The University of Sydney Email: d.guest@usyd.edu.au In Australia: Administrative contact Name: Ms Luda Kuchieva Telephone: (02) 9351 7903 Position: Research Grants Administration fficer Fax: (02) 9351 3256 Organisation The University of Sydney Email: luda.kuchieva@usyd.edu.au In Vietnam Name: Dr Nguyen Van Tuat Telephone: +84 4838 5578 Position: Director Fax: +84 4836 3563 Organisation National Institute of Plant Protection Email: tuat@hn.vnn.vn 2. Project Abstract Lack of knowledge and understanding at the scientific, extension and farmer levels is the primary limitation to the effective management of Phytophthora diseases in Vietnam. The objectives of this project are to extend sustainable and effective disease control and management recommendations to a range of horticultural crops throughout Vietnam to reduce crop losses due to Phytophthora and improve farmer outcomes. Milestones four and five have been completed and relevant activities are described. Copies of the extension training manuals have been submitted with this report. PAR trials were established by scientific and extension staff in the South, Centre and North of Vietnam. Preliminary observations are described in this report. In February 2006, the Australian partners and scientific staff from SOFRI and NIPP visited farmer trials supervised by FTRDC established in Hue (citrus), Quang Binh Province (black pepper and rubber), Quang Nam Province (black pepper) and Quang Tri Province (black pepper). This provided an opportunity for scientists from the three collaborating Vietnamese institutes to establish contacts and network. At each of the farms integrated disease management options had been established based on techniques learned during the Extension Training and Farmer Workshops and through PAR trials. In completing these activities we have met the targets set in the fourth and fifth milestones. 3. Executive Summary This project aims to extend sustainable and effective disease control and management recommendations developed in previous research, to a wide range of horticultural crops throughout Vietnam, thereby reducing crop losses due to Phytophthora diseases and improving smallholder outcomes. This report describes establishment of PAR trials by scientific and extension staff in the south of Vietnam (SOFRI). Copies of the extension training brochures, posters and manuals developed by the Vietnam partner institutes have been submitted with this report. In February 2006, the Australian partners and scientific staff from SOFRI and NIPP visited farmer trials established through FTRDC and associated Plant Protection Departments. Gardens and farms visited were located in Hue (citrus), Quang Binh Province (black pepper and rubber), Quang Nam Province (black pepper) and Quang Tri Province (black pepper). This provided an opportunity for scientists from the three collaborating Vietnamese institutes to establish contacts and to discuss their experiences in disease diagnosis, management and the establishment of PAR trials. Scientists from the north and south of Vietnam were also able see in the field symptoms caused by Phytophthora on crops not grown in their own regions. At each of the farms integrated disease management options had been established based on techniques learned during the Extension Training and Farmer Workshops and through PAR trials. Farmers were generally keen to learn about diseases and their management. The information presented in this report addresses the targets required to fulfil the fourth and fifth milestones of this CARD project. 4. Introduction & Background A diverse range of horticultural crops are grown in Vietnam. Tropical fruit trees are concentrated in the northern and southern parts of Vietnam and temperate crops in the northern and central highlands. The range of climatic conditions also provide an ideal 3 4 climate for many Phytophthora species, and the genus Phytophthora is responsible for extensive economic damage in a wide range horticultural crops throughout the country with large reductions in yield and significant economical losses. Information on the occurrence and distribution of Phytophthora species present in Vietnam, disease transmission and progression, and suitable control methods is lacking. Expertise in the diagnosis and management of Phytophthora diseases, including appropriate quarantine procedures, is also limited. A strategic approach to the future study and control of Phytophthora diseases is needed. This project aims to improve smallholder productivity and alleviate poverty, especially in the Mekong and Central Coast regions by improving the skills of relevant scientific and extension staff and their capacity to implement disease management recommendations with smallholders. This project focuses on local disease problems identified by informal surveys and smallholder demand. In the south, the priority crops were identified as pineapple, citrus, and black pepper, while citrus, black pepper and rubber will be the main focus in the centre, and litchi, tomato and potato in the north. The Australian and Vietnamese project team will run a series of workshops and supervise short on-farm research projects. Our workshops aim to fill the current gaps in knowledge of Phytophthora diseases at all levels in Vietnamese horticulture. These workshops will focus on the biology of Phytophthora, the diseases it causes, and potential management practices. Staff will be trained in diagnosis at the field and laboratory levels. In this way knowledge gained from these workshops will be incorporated into undergraduate and postgraduate training programs. The first Scientific Training workshops were held at the National Institute for Plant Protection (NIPP)-Hanoi, Fruit Tree Research Development Centre (FTRDC)-Hue and Southern Fruit Research Institute (SOFRI)-My Tho in June. The final training Scientific Training Workshop to be organised by the Australian partners is scheduled for November/December 2006. These hands-on training workshops will contribute to capacity building in the research and extension institutes involved. Scientific staff will then be equipped to transfer diagnostic skills and Phytophthora disease management strategies to extension agencies. The second level of workshop will focus on symptom recognition and the application of integrated management to smallholders. Vietnamese scientific staff ran workshops for Provincial Plant Protection Sub-Division (PPSD) staff in late 2005. The crops identified above form the basis of the on-farm trials and extension activities. Workshop participants will present the results of their participatory research trials at the final workshop. The third level of training in Vietnam will disseminate the results to smallholders in 5 provinces in each region through PAR methodologies learned during this and previous projects. The PPSD staff are currently establishing and supervising participatory action research (PAR) using a range of farm management strategies and other extension activities involving smallholder farmers. The participating farmers will become a focus for future extension activities. Selected staff will also be given an opportunity to undertake a study tour to Australia where they will learn about nursery best practice and orchard management, as well as advanced techniques in pathogen identification and research training. Two scientistis (Mrs Nguyen Thi Ly (NIPP) and Dr Nguyen Van Hoa (SOFRI)) visited Australia in July 2005 and Mr Doan Nhan Ai (FTRDC) in July 2006 to participate a training and study tour to examine nursery best practice and horticultural production in southern Queensland, and for further training in Phytophthora diagnostics. This will build institutional capacity and aims to maximise the long-term benefits to each institution. 5 5. Progress to Date 5.1 Implementation Highlights A detailed implementation of the project progress to date is provided in the attached Progress Report Logframe (Appendix I). The fourth and fifth milestone has been reached with the following targets implemented: 1. Promotion of disease management awareness among farmers. Brochures and training manuals are enclosed with this report; a. Prior to this project the understanding of diseases and availability of options for disease control was limited in some areas. b. Farmers who attended the extension workshops are adopting the new control measures they have learnt. 2. Establishment of PAR trials in the north, central and southern regions of Vietnam by scientific and extension staff from NIPP, FTRDC, SOFRI and Plant Protection Division offices (Appendix II). a. Farmers are keen to participate in the PAR trials. b. Because the PAR trials have been carried out according to seasons (for example from October to December 2005 and from February to March 2006 in the northern provinces) results and only preliminary observations are available on the effect of various control measures disease incidence, yield and fruit/product quality. c. PAR trials need to be established on existing farms, so methods such as planting resistant varieties are not always possible. 3. Visit to Hue (FTRDC, Mr Doan Nhan Ai) to visit PAR trials (citrus, rubber, pepper) in the central region by Vietnamese scientists (Mrs Nguyen Thi Ly from NIPP, Hanoi, and Dr Nguyen Minh Chau and Dr Nguyen Van Hoa from SOFRI, My Tho) and the Australian partners (Prof David Guest, Dr Andre Drenth and Dr Rosalie Daniel) in February, 2006 (Appendix III); a. Strengthened partnerships between research institutes, national and provincial extension agencies by bringing scientists from north and south Vietnam to the central provinces b. Improved extension capacity in diagnosis and discussion of integrated management strategies by visiting farms and PAR trials together 4. Presentation of seminars by Prof David Guest and Dr Andre Drenth at Hue Agricultural University (HAU) in February 2006. a. Strengthened partnerships between research institutes and university b. Linked the CARD project with the PhD project of Mr Nguyen Vinh Truong c. Linked the CARD project with the PhD project of Ms Tran TT Ha. 5. Planned visit to Australia by Mr Doan Nhan Ai to participate in the tour of Horticultural industries and research facilities in Queensland and NSW in July 2006. Mr Nguyen Vinh Truong (HAU) will also join this tour. a. Greater understanding of diagnostic skills, disease management strategies and good nursery and farm management practices. 5.2 Smallholder Benefits 1. Training of extension staff a. Greater understanding of the pathogen and the disease 6 b. Improved capacity to identify disease symptoms (diagnosis) and develop disease control options c. Promotes extension of more effective disease management recommendations 2. Improvement of smallholder knowledge a. Greater understanding of factors that contribute to disease b. Capacity to select from a variety of disease management options c. Reduced disease and increased yield 5.3 Capacity Building 1. Visit to Hue by Vietnamese scientists from NIPP and SOFRI and the Australian partners. Dr Nguyen Minh Chau (SOFRI), Dr Ngyuen Van Hoa (SOFRI), Mrs Nguyen Thi Ly (NIPP), Mr Nguyen Vinh Truong (HAU) and the Australian Project Partners visited the farmer trials organised through the FTRDC-Hue (Mr Doan Nhan Ai). This provided a unique opportunity for the Vietnamese project partners to meet and establish stronger networks. It also provided the opportunity for the scientists from the north and south to observe diseases and disease management practices of plants that do not grow or occur in their region. 2. Presentation of seminars at Hue Agricultural University Dr Andre Drenth and Professor David Guest presented seminars at Hue Agricultural University in February 2006. a. Summary of seminar by Andre Drenth: "The World of Phytophthora". The seminar presented an overview of Phytophthora species and Phytophthora diseases, and the economic damage they cause in Horticulture in Vietnam. The aim of the seminar was to expose staff and students to disease symptoms and make them aware of the enormous economical and social impact these plant diseases have on smallholders in Vietnam and elsewhere in south east Asia. This seminar gave basic background biology of Phytophthora and the life cycle of these pathogens. The major diseases caused by different Phytophthora species on a range of different crops including; rubber, pepper, capsicum, durian, longan, coconuts, cocoa, pineapple, papaya, coconut, citrus and potato, were discussed using slides with pictures of typical symptoms of these diseases. This information will help Vietnamese scientists and extension officers to correctly identify the cause of disease problems when they arise. b. Outline of seminar by David Guest: “Managing Phytophthora Diseases in Tropical Horticulture” The seminar presented an overview of the methods by which Phytophthora can spread to cause disease, the risk of the introduction of new species and the management options available for control. The aim of the seminar was to expose staff and students to pathogen epidemiology and the various factors that can contribute to the spread of Phytophthora, such as the involvement of tent building ants and flying insects. It also discussed options for management of Phytophthora diseases including good orchard hygiene and sanitation, the effect of fertilisers and chemical control using phosphonate. This information will help Vietnamese scientists and extension officers to understand the epidemiology Phytophthora diseases and to better enable them to prevent, reduce and control diseases. In addition an overview was given to the aims of the CARD project and how this fits in with the overall research conducted on Phytophthora in the tropical regions by Dr Drenth at the CRC for Tropical Plant Protection in Brisbane and Prof Guest and Dr Rosalie Daniel at The University of Sydney. 7 3. Scientific study tour of Australia The study tour to be conducted in July 2006 will expose Mr Doan Nhan Ai and Mr Nguyen Vinh Truong (currently completing his PhD at the University of Sydney) to nursery and horticultural production best practice techniques as well as techniques in pathogen identification and research training. Mr Ai will then be equipped to transfer diagnostic skills and Phytophthora disease management strategies to extension agencies through extension workshops and farmer training programs. PhD project of Pham Dung Ms Dung (NIPP) has commenced her PhD studies on "Research Phytophthora on Black Pepper" in Dak Nong. Professor Guest and Dr Drenth have been advising her on the selection of her topic and on research techniques. 4. Capacity Building at NIPP, FTRDC and SOFRI Participants at NIPP have learnt techniques to isolate and identify, and have subsequently isolated, Phytophthora from root and soil of diseased plants. Baiting techniques have been used to observe the release and development of zoospores. This highlighted the capacity of the pathogen to spread in the field. Composted animal manures and the fungicide AgriFos have been applied in the field by NIPP to test their ability to manage Phytophthora diseases. 5. Farmer Participatory Action Research Trials Farmer Participatory Action Research Trials have been established in each of the three regions. Details of the PAR trials associated with NIPP and FTRDC were provided in the 12 Month Progress Report. Details of the SOFRI extension and farmer trials are provided in this report. A total of 165 technical extension staff and farmers participated in the training workshops organised by SOFRI, bringing the total number trained so far to 385 participants in the farmer training workshops (the project target was 375). The trials are currently being monitored. Because the trials are conducted in the field, and therefore dependent on seasonal and climatic factors (for example, trials by NIPP were established between October and December 2005 and February and March 2006) details of the effectiveness of treatments are not yet available. Farmers have been very receptive to the project and eager to learn new methods for disease management in their crops. As a result of this project farmers have learnt to: (a) Distinguish between diseases caused by different organisms; (b) more effective methods for application of fungicides; (c) alternative methods for disease management. Preliminary Observations: NIPP, Northern Provinces Prior to the commencement of this CARD project, some farmers in the Y-Yen District, Hanam Province could not distinguish between late blight disease, early blight disease and bacterial wilt disease on potato. Some farmers in Tam Diep District, Ninh Binh Province thought that pineapple heart rot disease was caused by bacteria rather than Phytophthora. As a consequence farmers often applied chemicals that were not appropriate for control of the disease. Fungicides were also applied periodically, not in conformity with forecasts made by the Plant Protection Offices. For example, farmers applied fungicides at intervals 12 to 15 times during the growing season of potatoes. This had no beneficial effect on disease control. Furthermore such application methods were wasteful and resulted in environmental pollution. After the establishment of PAR trials, the farmers have been able to distinguish Phytophthora diseases from other diseases. They now understand that pathogens can survive and exist in the soil and plant residues. They also understand that drainage is important for pathogen spread and disease management. Farmers have now made raised beds for growing potatoes and tomatoes, or made earth mounds for planting litchi and 8 longan. By teaching the farmers to recognise diseases, apply the appropriate fungicides and how to apply those fungicides more effectively fungicide use has become less wasteful and disease control more effective. In addition, farmers were often not aware of alternative methods for control, such as good hygiene practices. Prior to this project, farmers used inorganic fertilisers and rarely (only a very small number of farmers) used organic fertilisers. Preliminary observations: SOFRI, Southern Provinces Preliminary indications from the trials organised by SOFRI show recovery of diseased pumelo trees following injection with Ridomyl and Aliette. Biological control using organic manures with Trichoderma also seems to be effective in maintaining tree health, based on preliminary observations. In the pineapple orchard no soil-borne diseases seem to be a problem because the soil has a low pH. However, the mealy bug was high in population. In this demonstration plot, SOFRI are using the insecticides Regent and Supracide and a soap solution which are showing good control. Black pepper trials are using Ridomil Gold and Aliette to control soil-borne diseases and these too are showing effective control. Recovery of the pepper vines has been slower than recovery seen for the pumelo trees. Preliminary observations: FTRDC, Central Provinces Before participating in workshops, most farmers did not know about Phytophthora as the cause of disease. They had no knowledge of diagnosis, dissemination, conditions conducive to infection and development of disease. As a result the farmers had not applied anything to control the diseases or they were using incorrect methods for disease control. For example, they had propagated seedlings from mother plants that may be infected with pathogens by cutting or marcotting (black pepper, pumelo), planted seedlings in poor drainage areas (pumelo), not removed infected plant parts or fruit from their orchards (particularly in rubber orchards) and intercropped plants also susceptible to Phytophthora such as taro, tomato, chilli, eggplant, cucumbers, pineapple or used jackfruits as supports for black pepper crops. Some of farmers had only applied a chemical measure including Aliette, Ridomil or Bordeaux fungicides to control diseases but they had not chosen the best fungicide to effectively control Phytophthora diseases yet. FRTDC established farmer trials based on the initial knowledge of farmers (just described). Farmers are very glad to take part in the trials. Some of the farmers who participated in farmer workshops have implemented methods they learnt in the workshop on their own because they live far from the PAR trial sites. The effectiveness of cultural measures for control of Phytophthora including mulching, pruning and increasing application of organic fertilizers is not obvious. The inclusion of chicken manure for organic control has not been possible due to the incidence of bird flu in Vietnam. Planting crops on mounds to improve drainage or planting crop varieties resistant to Phytophthora has not been possible owing to the establishment of trials in available orchards. Black pepper varieties that are resistant or tolerant to Phytophthora have not been selected. Phosphonate (Agri-fos 400) injections have been observed to be more effective in controlling Phytophthora in Thanh Tra pumelo than Ridomil or Bordeaux painted onto trunk lesions. Phosphonate is also less expensive than Aliette. However, injecting phosphonate fungicide is not effective in pumelo trees that are too seriously infected with Phytophthora diseases. The effect of phosphonate on controlling Phytophthora in rubber trees is not yet clear. The most difficult issue for farmers has been to detect early disease symptoms, particularly root rot of black pepper. Early detection of symptoms is very important in pepper because infected pepper vines die quickly. 9 Inclusion of on-farm trials and the expansion of extension activities will enable dissemination of knowledge acquired during the workshops to promote awareness of the pathogen, skills in disease diagnosis, application of the correct control measures and improved farm hygiene and disease management strategies. The farmers involved in the PAR will provide a valuable contact for future extension activities. The results of the participatory research trials will be discussed at the final workshop in November 2006. 5.4 Publicity An article about Phytophthora management was published in a Vietnamese newspaper on 16 January 2006 (Appendix IV). 6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 6.1 Environment Our approach to integrated disease management of Phytophthora diseases has minimal chemical inputs and is less damaging to the environment than the uninformed use of inappropriate pesticides. The approach is based on accurate disease diagnosis, improved nursery practice to ensure farmers are supplied with high-quality, disease-free planting material, adequate farm preparation to improve soil drainage and increase soil organic matter and the activity of beneficial soil microbes, quarantine and farm hygiene to minimise pathogen dissemination, the use of organic composts and manures to maintain soil fertility and increase water-use efficiency, improved drainage and canopy aeration to reduce humidity and pathogen sporulation. In some cases strategic application of phosphonate fungicides may be appropriate. Training of extension staff in Phytophthora diseases promotes capacity building and enhances the ability of Vietnamese scientists and extension staff to respond to new problems as they arise. Symptom recognition and the availability of disease management options provide farmers with alternatives to their current disease management practices. Training farmers to recognise common disease and then apply appropriate targeted treatments and the appropriate time has reduced the amount of fungicides that need to be applied. The option of alternative and preventative methods (such as mounding to improve drainage, pruning to improve canopy humidity, application of manures to improve soil health) for disease management also reduces disease incidence and the need for fungicide application. 6.2 Gender and Social Issues A greater proportion of participants at the SOFRI training workshops were male (95%) than female (5%). This has been a common trend in the majority of the workshops at each site. 7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues 7.1 Issues and Constraints Some farmers were sceptical about using phosphonate, particularly if applied as a trunk injection, believing it would kill their trees. As a result a limited number of trees (rubber and citrus) were injected with phosphonate. We believe that in future farmers will become Comment [MSOffice1]: At FTRDC and NIPP too? 10 more accepting of this form of application when they see the results of phosphonate as a method for disease management. When asked if they would inject more trees if they could see a reduction in disease all farmers answered in the affirmative. 7.2 Options The targets of the fourth and fifth milestones have been met. The project is running well and no changes are required. 8. Next Critical Steps The activities that will be undertaken in the next six months are: 1. Visits to NIPP, SOFRI and FTRDC to review farmer training and extension activities. 2. Final workshop in November-December 2006 to discuss outcomes of PAR and farmer trials. 9. Conclusion This CARD project aims to reduce crop losses due to Phytophthora diseases through extension of sustainable and effective disease management recommendations and thereby improve smallholder farmer productivity. The hands-on approach to teaching and learning in the training workshops is contributing to capacity building in the extension institutes involved. Extension staff equipped to transfer Phytophthora disease management strategies to farmers have established PAR farmer trials on the selected crops. The results of the farmer trials will be discussed in the final project workshop to be held in November, 2006. In completing these activities we have successfully addressed the second milestone.