Monument, okra virus and eucalyptus disease

Jeff has added several entries to the new blog: read about the agriculture of Machu Picchu (you get to see it even if you're not interested) and Catching Fire, a new book. I'm just back from Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Pretty damn hot in Islamabad, though fortunately not so humid. I can bear 43oC with some equanimity provided the air's not that wet. In Bangladesh at 33oC and higher humidity you start to suffocate.

I'm not a big fan of national monuments, but the modern monument near Islamabad is splendid. The over-arching 'petals' and running water make for a stunning sight at night. The lights are swtiched off early to conserve electricity. I was talking with Ghulam Ali and Aamir Khan about starting clinics in Pakistan, one of five countries that will expand the global network of clinics. Ali is currently in Afghanistan, working with the Aga Khan Foundation to inaugurate clinics.

I spent a day with Aaimr enjoying the virus-ridden vegetables in plots near to Islamabad. Okra was badly affected while the curcubits were harbouring a range of problems. You can often give generic advice on virus diseases - protect plants at an early stage from whiteflies and other insect vectors; look for resistant varieties. And so on. The okra virus problem appeared again in Sri Lanka.

Delighted by the work being done in Sri Lanka. Dr HM Ariyarathne (Ari) has instigated 14 'permanent crop clinics'. Here's a video from the first one I saw in Hambantota district, way down south. I joked with Ari that Sri Lanka has the longest names in the world. When spoken at normal speed they're almost impossible to decipher.

And before I forget, have a look at this plant health problem on eucalyptus near Islamabad. It sort of looks like a nutrient deficiency, but the sectoring of the crown suggests something else.

Let me quote from the diagnostician sans pareil, Dr Chuck Hodges: "Just got a look at the eucalyptus problem. I agree with the others that the symptoms resemble those of nutrient deficiency. However, several observations make me believe that there is some kind of root problem, maybe a root rot. First, there appears to be apical necrosis on some of the small, yellow leaves, indicating more stress than just a deficiency. Secondly, there appear to be some trees where part of the crown is yellow, and part appears normal green. Not likely to occur with something like nitrogen nutrition. Third, I am presuming that the dead trees are also eucalyptus. Nutritional deficiency would not likely to result in death. How about Armillaria?