Spatial distribution of cases of fatal yellowing on organic oil palm plantation

This work studied the spatial dispersion of cases of fatal yellowing (FY) in an oil palm plantation in Acara, Para State, Brazil. Data were collected monthly from two areas, divided in 16 quadrants each, for a 24 month period (2012-2013). In each quadrant, 138 plants were evaluated. The number of diseased plants was counted in twenty planting lines, and the spatial pattern of the disease was analyzed. The following spatial analysis techniques were used: common sequences of "runs", "doublets" and quadrants. We also determined the levels of disease aggregation in the sectors. Plants with FY had a spatial distribution aggregated in a lower line number when using the "run" analysis than when using the "doublets" method. Aggregation of FY cases was observed in 30% of the evaluated lines. The quadrant analysis confirmed the existence of case aggregation, with vertical and horizontal distribution. The existence of disease forming foci suggests that FY probably has biotic origin. Additional studies are required to confirm this hypothesis.