Anteneh Gashaw443
Posted in Ideas Bin
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Soil test to find out means of transmission of the fungus for saving the ohia tree
It is recalled that the means of transmission of the ROD fungus has not been known but by scientific estimation of already at task researchers it is believed that the means of transmission may be airborne. This is because of it easy for the pathogens to enter through open wounds of Ohia tree, yet no evidence has been shown that soil and stream may or may not also be the media. This will hold us back big time from finding out the cure and understanding the ROD fungus itself.
It is also recalled that I have submitted a solution that can prove or disprove that the transmission media of the ROD fungus is the soil which is the isolation of the underground part of the Ohia tree to test if the tree got sick (https://conservationx.com/lab/ideas/712). As the scientists and researchers of conservationx shared their high-level comment, the project is a very solid and very promising start on conducting a good standard scientific experiment which will answer key questions. But the basic concerns were how we manage on separating the above part of the soil to not mix together, what if the roots are very long, how do we make sure the tree will live long enough and what happens when rainwater on the ground make the soil mix together. And I was told that if I clarify on this and other this will be defiantly a project that is worth conducting the experiment.
So, this project is a modification to make the above project successful. As seen from the drawing above, instead of isolating the underground part of the tree we build a small structure that can support a tree having closed box to isolate the roots and carry soil. This structure is installed between multiple infected ohia trees. After some time if the tree is negative of the ROD fungus means of transmission is soil. And if the tree is found positive the means of transmission is wind. To increase our chance we purposely wound the tree so that if the means of the ROD tree is wind it will have more chance of entering to the tree. The risk of rainwater will be avoided because the roots are way above ground, no concern on the length of the roots, easier to supervise measuring of the soil minerals and nutrients to supply it when it lucks anything, we do not have to use plastic like I suggested which I now can see the plastic might harm the soil around it.
If there is something I missed that need to be considered, please do tell me.
It is also recalled that I have submitted a solution that can prove or disprove that the transmission media of the ROD fungus is the soil which is the isolation of the underground part of the Ohia tree to test if the tree got sick (https://conservationx.com/lab/ideas/712). As the scientists and researchers of conservationx shared their high-level comment, the project is a very solid and very promising start on conducting a good standard scientific experiment which will answer key questions. But the basic concerns were how we manage on separating the above part of the soil to not mix together, what if the roots are very long, how do we make sure the tree will live long enough and what happens when rainwater on the ground make the soil mix together. And I was told that if I clarify on this and other this will be defiantly a project that is worth conducting the experiment.
So, this project is a modification to make the above project successful. As seen from the drawing above, instead of isolating the underground part of the tree we build a small structure that can support a tree having closed box to isolate the roots and carry soil. This structure is installed between multiple infected ohia trees. After some time if the tree is negative of the ROD fungus means of transmission is soil. And if the tree is found positive the means of transmission is wind. To increase our chance we purposely wound the tree so that if the means of the ROD tree is wind it will have more chance of entering to the tree. The risk of rainwater will be avoided because the roots are way above ground, no concern on the length of the roots, easier to supervise measuring of the soil minerals and nutrients to supply it when it lucks anything, we do not have to use plastic like I suggested which I now can see the plastic might harm the soil around it.
If there is something I missed that need to be considered, please do tell me.
Any thoughts @Tom Quigley ?
Concerned about the logistics of elevating a tree above ground level. Effectively there will be no reasonable way to elevate a mature tree, except by crane, and you can't expect to be able to get a crane in to natural areas.
Your current design seems to be based IN nature, taking live trees. Why not create more of an experimental design with saplings? They'd be different in some ways from a live mature tree, but more reasonable to conduct an experiment on.
I would suggest you find a researcher who focuses on 'ohi'a anatomy and ecology. Without one, most of this is basically conjecture.
Your current design seems to be based IN nature, taking live trees. Why not create more of an experimental design with saplings? They'd be different in some ways from a live mature tree, but more reasonable to conduct an experiment on.
I would suggest you find a researcher who focuses on 'ohi'a anatomy and ecology. Without one, most of this is basically conjecture.
by Tom Quigley
@David Benitez is this something you could assist on (inviting on task ohi'a anatomy and ecology researcher) to assist.
@Tom Quigley what if we use artificial ohia tree designed or moulded as same as the natural ones and see we find the ROD fungus?
@Anteneh Gashaw An artificial tree won't be feasible.
by Tom Quigley
Oky then invite on task ohi'a anatomy and ecology researcher) to assist... If you can mange