Scientists are looking to man’s best friend for help in the fight against rapid ohia death.
Dogs already are used to sniff out a fungus in Florida avocado trees, and researchers in Hawaii think they could be trained to detect the ohia disease before trees show symptoms.
This early detection could help contain the spread of the fungal disease and allow for treatment of individual trees, or ensure wood is safe for transport.
“If you can detect a fungus in a tree before it becomes symptomatic, you then have an opportunity to potentially treat the tree with a fungicide,” said Kealoha Kinney, a research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service.
Once trees develop the tell-tale signs of rapid ohia death, also known as ohia wilt, the fungicides become less effective, he said. Symptoms include yellowish or brown leaves.
It’s not yet known how effective this approach would be or if the dogs’ snouts will be able to pick up the scent in a forest. In Florida, they are used on farms.
Kinney thinks there’s a good chance of success, and the Forest Service is partnering with other agencies on a pilot project using two or three Belgian Malinois dogs through Florida International University.
“We’re taking this in baby steps,” he said.
Trials on Hawaii Island could start in the next few months, Kinney said.
Partnering agencies include the U.S. Geological Survey, state Department of Land and Natural Resources, state Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Florida International University.
Scott Enright, state Agriculture Department chairman, said his agency is planning to contribute $71,380 to assist with the pilot.
“This is amazingly important biosecurity work the state needs to do,” he said.
Researchers continue to use high-tech methods to track rapid ohia death.
Flint Hughes, Forest Service ecologist, said another air survey of Hawaii Island using the Carnegie Airborne Observatory will be done from May through July.
He said a solution also is being tested that could kill the fungus in wood that is harvested.
The disease was found in Puna several years ago but has since spread throughout much of the island, threatening the health of native forests that depend on ohia.
The disease can be spread by beetles that burrow into the trees and people who walk or drive into infected forests.
For more information, visit https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/rod.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
