Portal de Cartagena
www.portaldecartagena.com
Margalef Institute of the University of Alicante and the city of Cartagena tested starting next Monday, May 3, a novel method, based on fungi, to eradicate the plague of red palm weevil.
The test is conducted in some 70 palm trees of the Heroes of Cavite, affected by this predator, which in the past 5 years has wiped out about 600 copies of the nearly 12,000 are estimated to exist in public gardens in the municipality of Cartagena.
The alarming spread of this disease has led to the council's Infrastructure and Services to sign an agreement with Alicante Institute has so far been successfully developed this new method, experimental tests carried out in nurseries of the Huerto del Cura in Elche.
The company that performed the tests in Cartagena is the so-called Garden of Elche, Elche from the city, with extensive experience in the treatment of palm trees.
The fungus Beauveria bassiana is a predator that in tests conducted so far has killed the red palm weevil after 14 days of application in 90 percent of cases, and 100 percent, after 24 days.
Its main advantage is its preventive nature, as it protects the plant weevil for four months, twice the time of chemical compounds.
It is also harmless to other insects beneficial to the ecological chain.
Sources of Parks and Gardens Service have expressed confidence in the results of the tests will be performed next week, which are also pending the department of Plant Protection of the Autonomous Community to extend its application to other examples Region.
So far the species most affected by this pest has been the Canary Island date palm, although there have been cases of date palms and has detected the presence of weevils in some specimens of palms.
The cost of this test for the municipality is estimated at 18,000 euros, for the preparation of the dose and its implementation by staff.
The treatment will begin to take place after half past nine
Source: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena
Privacy policy
- Legal notice
- Cookies