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The Hindu
21 hours ago
- Science
- The Hindu
A beetle-fungi combo threatens plantations in rubber capital Kerala
Rubber plantations in Kerala have been under threat since a beetle-fungus alliance has been attacking trees, causing severe leaf fall and rapid drying. Researchers at the Kerala Forest Research Institute in Thrissur recently identified the parasite to be the ambrosia beetle (Euplatypus parallelus). In their new study, published in Current Science, the beetle has been reported to share a mutualistic relationship with two fungal species, Fusarium ambrosia and Fusarium solani. This is the first report of F. solani in association with the adult ambrosia beetles. Fungi in the galleries Earlier, farmers working in the rubber plantations in the Irrity-Kannur region of Kerala noticed latex oozing from the barks of rubber trees. Under the Tree Health Helpline project, they alerted researchers from the Institute, insect ecologist Jithu Unni Krishnan said. Ambrosia beetles get their name from the ambrosia fungi that call the beetle their home. The name 'ambrosia' is not taxonomic but ecological. These beetles are native to Central and South America. They were first reported in India in the cashew trees of Ponda, Goa, in 2012. These beetles attack dead or infected trees, although they're also known to attack stressed trees. At times, the stressed trees release ethanol, a volatile compound that the ambrosia beetles can sense and attack. The beetles don't feed on the woody bark of trees; the fungi do. The beetles bore tunnels called galleries in the bark, carry fungi into the galleries, and farm the fungi to concentrate nutrients. The beetles and their larvae feed on nutrient-rich fungal mycelia. The fungi also release enzymes that weaken the wood, allowing beetles to penetrate deeper. In other insect hosts, the fungi are present in sacs called mycangia. In the present study, however, the team didn't find mycangia in the ambrosia beetle. Krishnan said that it's of interest to study how the fungal species interact with each other while coexisting in a beetle without the mycangia. Long time to heal The beetle-fungus association harms trees in many ways. Aside from weakening the structure, the duo causes severe leaf fall, trunk drying, and in some cases even tree death. The infection also affects total latex production from rubber trees, causing economic and agricultural losses. To combat the infection, experts follow specific methods, such as using antifungal agents, removing the infected part of trees, burning or chipping away any part that displays holes, and preventive measures such as using traps for ambrosia beetles. Further, once a tree is infected, it takes a long time to heal. 'The systemic infections progress through the plant xylem, blocking the xylem vessels. Moreover, proliferation of the fungus inside the xylem leads to sporulation, which leads [it] to secrete several enzymes, weakening the wood strength and showing death in distinct parts of the tree,' Amey Redkar, reader at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, an independent expert working on Fusarium oxysporum, also a plant pathogen, said. Controlling a fungal infection in plants is difficult. The fungi reside in deeper parts of an infected plant, where insecticides or fungicides often don't reach. 'Once [fungi] have progressed systemically, it's too late to save a plant from it. Many Fusarium sp. spread either through soil or can also be carried by insect vectors,' Redkar added. 'As these pathogens have adapted to outcompete neighboring microbes to reach their vascular niche, they have evolved to modulate the surrounding microbiome.' Future team-ups A few species of ambrosia beetles, including Euplatypus parallelus, are invasive and threaten horticulture and silviculture worldwide. Being flying insects, they can access a variety of trees. 'It can infest to my understanding more than 80 species of broadleaf trees, including cashew, teak, coconut, and coffee,' Krishnan said. While the beetle has coevolved with its fungal partners, it may in future associate with other pathogenic fungi, posing a bigger threat to plantations. Likewise, Fusaria sp. are very virulent and known to expand their host range. 'The concern is how many indigenous virulent pathogenic fungi are likely to associate with this insect and thereby broaden the host range and impact of this insect,' Krishnan said. Fusarium fungi infect beetles as well as other organisms, including spiders, frogs, and humans. These fungiare opportunistic pathogens in humans, meaning they can affect those with a compromised immunity, posing a significant health risk to workers in rubber plantations, as well as other plants and animals within an ecosystem. Much to lose The destructive power of the beetle-fungi association and the risk of other pathogenic fungi teaming up with the beetles together portend alarm. According to experts, the possibility calls for an action plan to mitigate and prevent further attacks. Since the number of invasive ambrosia species is increasing as well, Krishnan said policymakers and researchers should step up, collaborate, and provide solutions to manage infections. India is the world's sixth-largest producer of rubber and the second-highest in terms of productivity. Kerala produces 90% and accounts for 72% of India's rubber cultivation area. While there are reports of successful phytosanitary measures in coniferous trees, the same measures may not work on broad-leaf trees such as rubber and teak. The infection also makes other economically significant plants, such as coffee, cashew, mango, and coconut, vulnerable to infections. To prepare, experts recommend management strategies be designed based on the geographic location of the plantations. 'Things that are applicable to other parts of the world may not be applicable to Kerala or South India,' Krishnan said. Redkar added that sustainable treatments, such as using antagonistic fungi that can compete with the pathogenic onesor using microbial consortia with a diversity of bacterial species that can live inside plants, can offer promising results in mitigating fungal infections in plants. Rohini Karandikar is a science communicator, educator and facilitator. She currently works at TNQ Foundation as a consultant.
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Otter threat lurks on Kottayam's riverbanks
The threat from large reptiles like crocodiles is well known, but as residents across Kottayam are now discovering, danger in the water isn't always measured by size. The number of otters in the Meenachil river and its tributaries has reached alarming proportions, instilling fear among those living along the banks. With an increasing number of otter bite incidents being reported, residents are now urging the government to take immediate steps to control their population. Most affected areas The situation is especially dire in regions such as Vijayapuram, Kumarakom, Aymanam, Arpookkara, Thiruvathukkal, Kottayam town, and Thazhathangadi. A recent incident in Velur near Kottayam has brought the issue into stark focus. Nisani, 53, wife of Ibrahimkutty from Kalayamkary, Panampady in Velur, died after being bitten by a large otter while washing clothes near her home. Although her death is suspected to have been caused by a heart attack following an anti-rabies injection, the incident has left riverside residents terrified. Since then, routine activities like washing clothes or utensils in the river have become fraught with fear. Beyond posing a danger to human safety, the ballooning otter population has wreaked havoc on local fish farmers. Despite installing protective nets around their ponds, farmers report significant losses as otters, often attacking in groups, breach defences and consume large quantities of fish. Once a rare sight, otters are now commonly seen navigating the waterways, particularly in stretches between Poovathumood and Vattamood bridges and around Parampuzha. Forest officials have also confirmed an increase in otter activity along the Meenachil river and nearby streams, especially during the animals' breeding season when they become more aggressive. Why population surge The otter is classified as a 'vulnerable' species on the IUCN Red List, making poaching a punishable offense. According to experts, the rise in otter populations across riverine systems can largely be attributed to the absence of natural predators. 'Until around 2000, hunting groups from Andhra Pradesh would visit Kerala's waterbodies in search of otters. But with the tightening of wildlife conservation laws, that practice came to an abrupt end,' noted A. Jaison, former head of Wildlife Biology at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). 'Most practical solution' Otters inhabit rivers with dense bankside vegetation, marshes, and rocky areas. While manipulation of habitats could serve as a temporary deterrent, Dr. Jaison recommends trapping as the only currently viable option for population control. 'Capturing and relocating the animals might be the most practical solution,' he said. Aby Iype, district general secretary of the Karshaka Congress, has urged the government to officially classify otters as vermin. 'The otter menace is a serious threat not just to human life, but also to the livelihoods of those involved in aquaculture,' he pointed out.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
‘Third-party impact assessment needed for NH projects'
A public convention organised by the Kerala Samsthana Janakeeya Prathirodha Samithi on the condition of the newly constructed national highway across the State called for a third-party impact assessment of major projects such as national highways. T.V. Sajeev, a scientist associated with the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), who inaugurated the convention, pointed out that an impact assessment study is often carried out by agencies appointed by the contractors in their favour, thereby defeating the purpose of such studies. The convention, held at the Sports Council Hall in Kozhikode on Saturday (July 5), brought together several experts in the fields of environment, construction, and geology to brainstorm solutions to the problems at hand. 'The topography of Kerala cannot support the kind of construction typically carried out in other States, where there is enough vacant space. This State is narrow, densely populated, and extremely sensitive,' said Mr. Sajeev. He alleged that land acquisition and the destruction of large trees had contributed to the recurring outbreaks of Nipah infection in the State. 'Around 75,000 large trees were cut down for the widening of National Highway 66. The bats that lived on these trees had to migrate to the nearest available habitat, often trees in house compounds. The overpopulation of bats in a single tree weakens some of them, making it easier for parasites in them to perform a 'species jump,'' Mr. Sajeev said. He also pointed out that the huge wall constructed in the North-South direction in the form of the National Highway, prevented the free flow of rainwater from the mountains to the sea, though the distance is very short. 'We faced a flood in 2018 before the NH widening. The situation would be worse if we had rain of that intensity once again', he added. Geologist Radhakrishnan Kinattinkara highlighted the characteristics of laterite soil, which absorbs rainwater like a sponge. However, only the upper layer is structurally strong, while the underlying layer is mushy. 'When laterite hills are cut perpendicularly, the mushy layer is exposed. It oozes water and cannot hold on its own, ultimately leading to collapse,' he said. Mr. Radhakrishnan said that the rock formation in Kerala is over 35 million years old and should be treated as geological monuments worthy of preservation. He added that the damage caused by the highway project could have been minimised if it had been constructed on viaducts rather than on embankments. Noted environmentalists and activists, including Sreedhar Radhakrishnan, Joseph C. Mathew, Hashim Chendambilli, N. Subramanian, S. Rajeevan, and N.V. Balakrishnan, participated in the discussions. The convention demanded that the State government appoint an expert committee to conduct a comprehensive study on the condition of the National Highway.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Deadly fungus threatens endangered Western Ghats tree
Scientists have sounded the alarm on a newly detected fungal disease attacking Dipterocarpus bourdillonii, a critically endangered tree endemic to the Western Ghats. The phytopathogen, Corynespora cassiicola, a highly aggressive fungus, is known to infect more than 530 plant species. The findings by Shambhu Kumar (Principal Scientist and Head, Forest Pathology Department, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi), along with Raghvendra Singh (Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, has been published in June 17th edition of Mycosphere journal. This marks the first recorded instance of the pathogen affecting D. bourdillonii, raising serious conservation concerns. The was identified based on morpho-cultural characteristics and molecular phylogenetic evidence. Detection of the emerging leaf spot and blight disease affecting Dipterocarpus bourdillonii highlight the urgent need for disease surveillance and integrated conservation strategies to protect one of Western Ghat's most vulnerable rainforest trees. 'Dipterocarpus bourdillonii (family: Dipterocarpaceae) is a critically endangered tree species listed on the IUCN Red List. Endemic to the Western Ghats of India, it plays a vital ecological role in maintaining rainforest canopy structure and supporting biodiversity. Economically, its hardwood is valued for construction and furniture, while its oleoresin (wood oil) has traditional medicinal and industrial uses. Due to overexploitation and habitat loss, the species already faces severe threats. The emergence of this additional biotic threat further underscores the urgent need for conservation measures to protect and restore its dwindling population,' Mr. Kumar said. The investigation of Corynespora cassiicola infecting Dipterocarpus bourdillonii in Kerala using morpho-molecular tools is of significant importance. Molecular identification ensures accurate pathogen detection, overcoming the limitations of morphology-based methods, and facilitates early diagnosis and monitoring. This study is crucial for understanding the disease's epidemiology, guiding effective disease management strategies, and safeguarding this threatened species. Additionally, it contributes to forest health surveillance and supports both ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts, Mr. Kumar pointed out. Corynespora cassiicola is a widespread phytopathogen causing leaf spots, target spots, and blight diseases in a wide range of plant species, including economically important crops such as rubber, soybean, tomato, cucumber, cotton, as well as medicinal and ornamental plants. It thrives in warm, humid climates and spreads through conidia (spores produced by fungi) via wind, water, and human activity. The pathogen impairs photosynthesis, leading to defoliation, reduced yield, and plant death in severe cases. Management of the pathogen involves the use of resistant cultivars, cultural practices (e.g., proper spacing and removal of infected parts), and fungicides such as mancozeb and azoxystrobin. Early detection and integrated disease management are vital to minimising its impact and preventing outbreaks, noted Mr. Kumar.
New Indian Express
05-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Man-animal strife: Seeking answers in the bountiful repository of tribal wisdom in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Did you know that stones pelted by women don't scare away monkeys or that bears that return to a spot three-four times suggest that they are feeling threatened and are likely to attack? That one can read elephant behaviour from the manner in which it folds its trunk or sways its ears? That rotten sardines can keep animals away? Such seemingly obscure nuggets of information have long been part of tribal wisdom. Cashing in on this, a rich repository of traditional tribal wisdom is being documented in the state as part of the collaborative effort of the state forest department and the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). The project has assumed greater importance at a time when Kerala has been witnessing an increase in human-wildlife conflict; and its widespread ramifications — both social and political — are being felt across the state. Pushed to the wall, the forest department came up with the novel initiative to tap into the traditional wisdom of forest-dwelling communities that have long lived in peaceful co-existence with wildlife. The fact that a few indigenous people also lost their lives in recent attacks has made it all the more pertinent to cash in on such indigenous knowledge that is part and parcel of tribal lives. Thus took shape Gothrabheri, one of ten missions proposed to address human-wildlife conflict in the state. Envisaged as a learning initiative, it's being undertaken by KFRI with funding from the forest department. Senior forest officer Raju Francis who coordinated the conceptualisation of Gothrabheri had, in his own words, a truly enriching experience in the course of having spent hours with hamlet chiefs in this regard.
