Blight or Infestation *

Description:

Any injury to plants resulting in withering, cessation of growth and death of the above ground part of the plants including flowers and stems caused by: disease organisms (fungi, bacteria or virus), insects, or unfavorable environmental conditions.

Secondary Effects:

Vegetation that has been seriously affected by plant pests or unfavorable growing conditions becomes more susceptible to fires ignited by man or lightening. As root systems die, topsoil becomes more vulnerable to erosion, thus valuable farm and forest land may be impacted or revegetation restricted because of inadequate nutrients in soils.

Vulnerability:

The State of Maine has 17.7 million acres of forested land and 1.25 million acres of farmland which are susceptible to plant pest infestations and environmental damage. Historically, there have been instances where large areas have been impacted by plant pests and environmental problems, including: spruce budworm, Dutch elm disease, white pine blister rust, browntail moth, potato late blight, gypsy moth and severe drought.

State government and the general public have responded to these problems. Regulations have been promulgated providing protection from exposure by restricting the importation of certain materials that may be carriers. Spray programs have been undertaken in the past to combat problems. Spruce budworm once infested 200,000 acres of forest. Browntail moth and gypsy moth infestations seem to be spreading across the state.

Mitigation:

Mitigation efforts are ongoing with surveys of potential plant pest infestations to ensure control measures can be implemented as soon as necessary. Restricting the cultivation of currants has helped keep white pine blister rust under control, as currants serve as a secondary host for this disease. Other types of street trees, including disease resistant elms, are being planted to replace those trees lost to Dutch elm disease.

The Maine Department of Agriculture conducts inspections of businesses selling plants and has a certification program for seed potatoes to ensure disease free seed potatoes are planted. Researchers at the University of Maine conduct research to develop plants resistant to various pests and also evaluate a number of methods to control plant pests.

Source:

Maine Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry: http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pi/

* An occurrence of this hazard could possibly be initiated by a deliberate act.

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