Handbook of Vanilla Science and Technology

2.10.2 Damage

Sunburn of plants occurs frequently in the intensive production systems where Erythrina sp. and Gliricidia sepium tutors are used. Serious sun damage can be observed when these species are not pruned at the suitable time (they will shed their leaves in winter), or if they are over-prunned, or if their foliage is damaged by disease. Sun damage is pronounced only in the leaves or stems that received direct sunlight, and the plant can be total or partially burned. Burned leaves will not recover because their photosynthetic capacity is diminished and therefore the growth of the plant is affected. This condition predisposes the plant to pathogen attacks.

2.10.3 Control

Prune plants at the recommended time to avoid total defoliation and water them during dry periods to accelerate development of new foliage. In addition, in some cases it is necessary to apply chemical control for certain pests. Plants can be covered with some material (banana leaves, grass, etc.) to provide shade and to avoid burns. Also, when little shade is available and there are intense sunny days, plants can be covered with plastic mesh. Although this measure adds an additional cost, it could be justifiable since it protects the plants from sun damage.

2.11 HURRICANES

Hurricanes can cause total losses to vanilla plantations, mainly in the producing regions of the Indian Ocean (Madagascar, Reunion Island, and the Comoros) and Indonesia. In Mexico, these natural phenomena appear in the period of August to October, but do not always affect vanilla plantations. However, a major disaster occurred in 2007 when Hurricane Dean severely affected the plantations located in the coastal zone where it made landfall (Figure 2.10). The damage was mainly to the mesh coverings used for shade (Hernández-Hernández 2007). In order to mitigate the damage, it is necessary to establish supports and tutors that are able to resist the effects of hurricanes. Also, curtains of trees can be established, using for example Australian pine, that serve as wind barriers. After a hurricane, the main activity is to repair the mesh used for shade to protect the plants from sunburn, to raise the plants and to apply fungicides, as described previously, as preventive measures against fungal diseases.

Fig. 2.10 Plastic mesh used to provide shade were destroyed by hurricane ”Dean”, in the region ofTecolutla, Veracruz, Mexico, August 22, 2007.

REFERENCES

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Anonymous (1995) Vanille: Manitra Ampotony, Tsy Taitry, deux varietes prometteuses. FOFIFA/Centre National de la Recherche Appliquee au Developpemnt Rural. http://www.fofifa.mg/res_van.htm. Site accessed July 27, 2009.

Anonymous (2008a) Madagascar hit by deadly vanilla-killing fungus. http://news.mongabay.com/2008/ 1208-vanilla.html, site accessed July 27, 2009.

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Ben Yephet, Y., Dudai, N., Chaimovitsh, C. and Havkin-Frenkel, D. (2003) Control of vanilla root rot disease caused by Fusarium. Vanilla 2003, November 11-12, Princeton, NJ.

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Childers, N.F., Cibes, H.R. and Hernández-Medina, E. (1959) Vanilla - The orchid of commerce. In: The Orchids, A, Scientific Survey. Withner, C.L. (ed.), The Ronald Press Co., New York, pp. 477-508.

Curti-Diaz, E. (1995) Cultivo y beneficiado de la vainilla en Mexico. Organizacicin Nacional de Vainilleros Indigenas. Papantla, Veracruz.

Dequaire, J. (1976) L’amelioration du vanillier a Madagascar. Journal d’Agriculture Tropicale et de Botanique Appliquee, 23, 140-158.

Grisoni, M., Come, B. and Nany, F. (1997) Project de reliance de la vanilliculture dans la region du SUVA. Compte Rendu de Mission a Madagascar. La Reunion.

Grisoni, M., Pearson, M. and Farreyrol, K. (2010) In: Virus diseases of vanilla, Vanilla. Odoux, E. and Grisoni, M. (eds.), CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group. USA. pp. 97-123.