Site Visit from Rodrigo Valverde

In early December,  plant pathologist Dr. Rodrigo Valverde visited the sword fern die-off regions at Seward Park.   I first discovered Rodrigo through his 2009 study of viral infection of the Japanese Holly Fern.  He also participates in Lousiana's Roseau Cane Die-Off project.

Rodrigo was startled by the sword fern die-off - echoing Dr. David Barrington's observation that it is novel and deeply worrisome.  Based upon his visit and the tentative results of my bottle experiment, he suggests: 

Water-borne [spread] and the symptoms starting at tips is very typical of a bacterial pathogen. This is because unlike other plant pathogens, bacteria needs an opening/point of entry.  It is possible that water accumulating at tips where “openings” may be present provides a perfect environment for infection.