Pierce's Disease aka Leaf Scorch in MJ

[Janus]

This disease is causing serious destruction of the many vineyards and Oleanders (planted along most highways) throughout California. This post, as far I can tell, is the first public account of this disease affecting MJ. The disease is a lethal systemic bacteria called Xylella Fastidiosa and the vector is sap sucking bugs. Primarily the Glassy Winged Sharpshooter is to blame and the state Agriculture commission has a specific department established to deal with the problem. The bacteria disrupts water transport within the plant and there is no cure.

I lost an entire round last fall due to this heinous disease. I had approximately 20 total thrips spread amongst 32 three foot tall plants. Thrips were spotted and fully eradicated within 12hrs (hand picked off and Imidacloprid systemically). However, within a week, water consumption started to fall off dramatically. Another week after that and the plants were starting to show leaf issues (see pics). Another week after that and water transport went to near zero and massive death.

After much detective work it was determined that I have Oleanders infected with the disease on my property (since removed). I was unable to find any mention of thrips being a known vector but I'm 100% certain this is what happened. (I did find reference to thrips living in Oleanders.) Scientist don't believe the bacteria is transmitted by anything other than sap sucking bugs but I witnessed spread to plants that had no thrips but were in the same recirculating hydro system.

Please, no speculation in this thread about Pythium or some nute deficiency as I'm certain of the diagnosis.

For you outdoor guys in Calif, I suggest you survey your surrounding area for infected Oleanders or Vineyards.

Peace


Here are some related links. (sorry for not imbedding)

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7480.html



Thrips on Oleander:

http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/IPM.asp?code=235&grou
p=66&level=c

Sharpshooters breed in Citrus:


guidelines.html

Wiki Xylella Fastidiosa:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylella_fastidiosa

Pierce's Disease website:

http://www.piercesdisease.org/

Science, history, and lab diagnosis:

 

[bicycle racer]

great another outdoor threat so far caterpillars thrips and root aphids are the biggest issue hopefully i do not deal with this at all.

 

[Janus]

Could an admin please move this thread to the Infirmary section? The disease I describe here is likely going to become a serious threat to many growers in California. I'm trying to get the word out but I don't think there is as much traffic over here. I don't want to double-post in the Infirmary either. Thanks

 

[Boots Sugarleaf]

thanx for this post, so oleander and grapes are all that you know of? I will damn sure be checking, outdoors my only pest threats have been caterpillars and horrible caretakers...I will certainly watch for these insects now too

 

[Swerve]

Pierces disease is mainly spread by the silver sharpshooter I think it's called. If ur in an citrus area tHen be careful. They are mainly found in heavy citrus producing areas. I hate this disease cuz I grow grapes and make my own family wine. And it can wipe out an entire vineyard within 2 years if not sooner


To make u feel better the pica of ur leaves is not peirces disease. They don't have the tell tail signs of pierces such as dark spots or browning or heavy purpling from lack of beneficial nutrients associated with pierces. I have seen this disease first hand on grapes and def doesn't look the same

 

[Janus]

I'm glad this thread is getting more traffic. IMO, this is already a problem for a bunch of growers but they don't yet realize it. Also, this problem is not going away any time soon.

Swerve, it's the Glassy Winged Sharpshooter (GWSS) that is the normal vector for Pierces. Also, the GWSS, as you know, don't actually infect the citrus with the pathogen. This is because the GWSS doesn't feed on citrus but rather they nest and breed in them.

Also, I've no experience with the disease in Grapes but I do in Oleanders and MJ. The infected Oleanders are (were) on my property and the MJ debacle is a lengthy story. Suffice to say I'm not an amateur, have got at least 50 hrs. research on just this issue, have met with a PhD that is an authority on this disease, etc.

Last, I've added a pic of an infected Oleander and some sort of 'shade tree'. You can see the yellowing and then browning of the margins followed the by the necrosis (browning) just like I had in the MJ. What I had most def was Xylella Fastidiosa.

Peace

 

[Gclarknapa]

This disease is causing serious destruction of the many vineyards and Oleanders (planted along most highways) throughout California. This post, as far I can tell, is the first public account of this disease affecting MJ. The disease is a lethal systemic bacteria called Xylella Fastidiosa and the vector is sap sucking bugs. Primarily the Glassy Winged Sharpshooter is to blame and the state Agriculture commission has a specific department established to deal with the problem. The bacteria disrupts water transport within the plant and there is no cure.

I lost an entire round last fall due to this heinous disease. I had approximately 20 total thrips spread amongst 32 three foot tall plants. Thrips were spotted and fully eradicated within 12hrs (hand picked off and Imidacloprid systemically). However, within a week, water consumption started to fall off dramatically. Another week after that and the plants were starting to show leaf issues (see pics). Another week after that and water transport went to near zero and massive death.

After much detective work it was determined that I have Oleanders infected with the disease on my property (since removed). I was unable to find any mention of thrips being a known vector but I'm 100% certain this is what happened. (I did find reference to thrips living in Oleanders.) Scientist don't believe the bacteria is transmitted by anything other than sap sucking bugs but I witnessed spread to plants that had no thrips but were in the same recirculating hydro system.

Please, no speculation in this thread about Pythium or some nute deficiency as I'm certain of the diagnosis.

For you outdoor guys in Calif, I suggest you survey your surrounding area for infected Oleanders or Vineyards.

Peace


Here are some related links. (sorry for not imbedding)

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7480.html



Thrips on Oleander:

http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/IPM.asp?code=235&grou
p=66&level=c

Sharpshooters breed in Citrus:


guidelines.html

Wiki Xylella Fastidiosa:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylella_fastidiosa

Pierce's Disease website:

http://www.piercesdisease.org/

Science, history, and lab diagnosis:

 

[Gclarknapa]

Was the presence of Pierce's Disease confirmed by a lab? Trying to determine what diseases winegrapes and cannabis share. PD is a big one if in fact a disease of cannabis. Are you aware of any scientific literature?

Gclarknapa