STATUS OF COFFEE LEAF RUST (Hemileia vastatrix) IN JAMAICA COFFEE LEAF RUST WORKSHOP CICAFE, COSTA RICA MARCH 13-14, 2008 Presented by: Louis Campbell Advisory Services Manager ( )

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JAMAICAN COFFEE INDUSTRY  Jamaica’s number 3 foreign export earner {Sugar, Banana}  Employs approx. 100,000 persons at all levels  Important contributor to socio-economic development of rural communities  As part of its quality assurance great care is taken to monitoring the type, dosage and timing of chemical application

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JAMAICAN COFFEE INDUSTRY CONT’D  The discovery of the Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei) in 1978 And then: And then:  The Coffee Leaf Rust (H. vastatrix) eight years later have resulted in great concern both in terms of the impact of these destructive agents as well as for the quality assurance and safety of our coffee

Coffee Leaf Rust (H. vastatrix) was discovered in Jamaica in Alston District in the parish of Clarendon, in July Suspected source is Cuba – disease found there in Alston, Clarendon

By 1987, a survey done by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Coffee Industry Board revealed that it had spread to all major producing zones. Including the low altitude zone of the Blue Mountains.

Intervention – Research Activities In August 1987, funds secured to carry out the following studies: 1. the epidemiology of the Coffee Leaf Rust; Rust; 2. Evaluating sampling techniques for research monitoring and field use; and research monitoring and field use; and

Intervention – Research Activities Cont’d 3. to investigate spray technology and calibrating equipment for Coffee Leaf Rust calibrating equipment for Coffee Leaf Rust control. control. Duration of Study: 2 – 3 years.

Intervention – Research Activities Cont’d In 1989, samples were sent to the Coffee Rust Research Centre, Oeiras, Portugal for identification. Results showed that Jamaica had Race II of the pathogen.

Coffee Leaf Rust Control Programme was merged with Coffee Berry Borer control spray programme  Spraying was done April – June in lowland zone  Low altitude Blue Mountain Zone  August – March not covered.

Areas presently Affected by Coffee Leaf Rust  Total lowland zone  Low altitude zone of the Blue Mountain (≈ 1,500 ft) (≈ 1,500 ft)  Medium altitude zone recently infected (2,000 ft) could be due to subtle changes in climate regime

Control Measures Focus (a) Agronomic Measures Focus (a) Agronomic Measures (b) Chemical Control Measures (b) Chemical Control Measures The reliance on chemicals only for controlling the disease has become addictive to some farmers. They overlook the fact that healthy plants have capability to resist attack from the pathogen

Agronomic Measures Proper timing and application of fertilizers Proper timing and application of fertilizers Pruning of dead and damaged branches after reaping or wind damage Pruning of dead and damaged branches after reaping or wind damage Gormandizing (removal of suckers) Gormandizing (removal of suckers) Removal of pruned material from root zone Removal of pruned material from root zone General cleaning and weeding on farm General cleaning and weeding on farm Removal of laterals that lay on soil surface Removal of laterals that lay on soil surface

Agronomic Measures Cont’d Adopt a wider planting distance 10’ between rows x 5’ along the rows Adopt a wider planting distance 10’ between rows x 5’ along the rows Plant one seedling per hole Plant one seedling per hole Proper shade management Proper shade management Maintain proper drainage system Maintain proper drainage system

Chemical Measures Wide range of chemicals have been tested. The most successfully used ones are indicated below: Pre 1995: Copper Oxy-chloride Copper Hydroxide Bayleton (Triadimefon)

Chemical Measures Cont’d Present: Brand Common Name Rate of Application Kocide Copper Hydroxide 4 lbs/acre Champion Copper Hydroxide 4 lbs/acre TiltPropiconazole ml/ac AnvilHexaconazole ml/ac Phyton Cupric Sulphate ml/ac

Recommended Treatment (a) One application during reaping in September (systemic) in September (systemic) (b) One application after reaping is complete between December & January (contact) along with field sanitation, pruning – shade reduction along with field sanitation, pruning – shade reduction (c) Treatment before flowering in March (contact)

Recommended Treatment Cont’d (d) Treatment prior to rain season in May along with CBB control programme along with CBB control programme (contact); and (contact); and (e) Treatment in July after rainfall season (contact). (contact).

Genetic Control Arabica typica is the predominant variety grown in Jamaica. It is highly susceptible to CLR The industry introduced hybrids from Turrialba, Costa Rica

Genetic Control Cont’d Hybrid introduced ’s & early 1990’s Predominantly: Hybrid De Timor x Caturra crosses Hybrids: e.g. T5157, T5159 & 2308 Only resistant to some races of Rust However, taste, beans size & shape did not conform to our Jamaican coffee profile. As such propagation of these hybrids have been discouraged.

Total Estimated Annual Loss US$ = US$3.436mil There are 14,000 acres of coffee in Jamaica ≈ estimated 9,000 acres affected by CLR - Assume loss of 10 bxs/ac annually - 9,000 acs x 10 bxs = 90,000 boxes - Assume conversion of 5 lbs saleable beans/box = 450,000 lbs - Estimate price/lb for green bean at US$ Total loss due to CLR = US$2.70mil/yr

Total Estimated Annual Loss Cont’d Loss of mature bearing plants ≈ 100 acres lost annually 872 plants x 100 acs = 87,200 plants 872 plants x 100 acs = 87,200 plants value/mature plant = US$6.60 value/mature plant = US$6.60 Loss = US$6.60 x 87,200 Loss = US$6.60 x 87,200 US$0.574mil US$0.574mil

Total Estimated Annual Loss Cont’d Loss of young immature plants ≈ 50 acres loss annually 872 plants x 50 ac 43,600 plants 872 plants x 50 ac 43,600 plants value/immature plant = US$3.72 value/immature plant = US$3.72 loss US$3.72 x 43,600 = US$0.162mil loss US$3.72 x 43,600 = US$0.162mil Conversion J$71.00 = US$1.00 Conversion J$71.00 = US$1.00

Cost Incurred Slight to moderate infection Slight to moderate infection Labour /md $2,000 Material - Champion/Kocide $650/lb x 4 lbs/application /ac$2,600 x 4 lbs/application /ac$2,600 Sticker 50 ml/drum$ 150 Sticker 50 ml/drum$ 150 Equipment – Pump (hire) $700/day $ 700 Water $ 300 Transportation $ 500 Lubricants & Gas$ 500 $6,750 2 application per ac = $13,500 (US$190) 2 application per ac = $13,500 (US$190)

Cost Incurred Cont’d Assumed 9,000 acres affected Basic Cost/ac for 2 cycles = J$13,500 (US$190) US$190 x 9,000 acs = US$1.71mil

Decline in Production (Lowland zone) Year No. of Farms AcreageProduction Saleable Boxes 19879,00010,475261, ,0004,270106, ,7003,00081,000

Decline in Production (Lowland zone) Cont’d

Reasons for Decline in Production/Acreage Impact of Coffee Leaf Rust Impact of Coffee Leaf Rust Hurricane Damage (1988) Hurricane Damage (1988) Low return on investment Low return on investment Banana Industry decline during 1990’s; hence the increase of CLR. Banana Industry decline during 1990’s; hence the increase of CLR.

Some Challenges 1.Growers reluctance to implement agronomic interventions to control the agronomic interventions to control the disease; disease; 2. High cost of implementing chemical control measures; control measures; 3. High cost of plant nutrients; and 4. Farmers inability to access spray equipment. equipment. 5. Inadequate research on the various races of the pathogen 5. Inadequate research on the various races of the pathogen

Recommendations 1. Seek local and international funding to implement a national CLR control programme; 2. Breed rust resistant variety with desirable (Blue Mountain) taste profile; 3. Intensify research work on the identification, epidemiology and control of the local races of the pathogen; 4. Increase collaboration with Regional universities and Coffee Research Institution.

Recommendations cont’d  Greater collaboration with Chemical Companies  Need for research (molecular marker) aimed at improving Typica’s resistance without reducing it’s quality traits

Conclusion Amidst all the challenges that the region coffee industries face, we must rise to the occasion and combat this disease in order to save our economies and to sustain the livelihood of all stakeholders.

THANK YOU.