Spatial-temporal distribution of fatal yellowing in different oil palm genetic materials in eastern amazon

Abstract

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is one of the agricultural crops with the greatest potential for vegetable oil production in Brazil. However, a disease of unknown etiology popularly known as Fatal Yellowin (FY) has caused damage to Brazilian farmers particularly in the eastern region of the Amazon. So, the objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial dependence of FY on three oil palm genotypes, grown for many years in an organic production system in the Amazon region. The study area had 4104 ha, divided into 139 plots. In each plot, the monthly incidence of disease was monitored forming a database. The number of diseased plants per year, number of accumulated diseased plants, number of diseased plants per hectare, growth rate of diseased plants and incidence of accumulated disease were evaluated. The results indicated spatial distribution of the variables adjusted to the gaussian, spherical and exponential models, with predominance of the first model. This increases the purpose that FY is caused by biotic factors. The highest range achieved in the study was 2929 m indicating the susceptibility of the tested genotypes. Some plots close to the river had the highest incidence of the disease on the study, probably associated with higher soil moisture.