Part 7/16:
The disease spread rapidly across the island, especially along waterfronts and urban spaces like Toa Payoh and Holland Village, causing entire rows of Sananas to die within weeks. The challenge was compounded by the fact that the disease could flare up simultaneously in multiple locations, resembling a bushfire that moves swiftly from one area to another.
Diagnostic Efforts and the Role of Plant Pathology
The task force formed to combat this crisis consisted of experts examining symptoms—yellowing, drooping, leaf loss—and collecting samples for laboratory analysis. Fieldwork involved using tools like cutters, tweezers, and biopsy bags to take tissue samples from affected trees, especially the topmost branches and trunks, often requiring cranes and specialized equipment.