Editor’s note: JT (Jenichen / Tichavsky) potency is often mentioned in these columns. It is a centesimal dilution followed by 500 succussions or five hundred continuous turns with a wooden stick to the right and 500 turns to the left (if handling larger volumes). The JT potency frequently has a better reaction in plants and it is very important in preparation of live bionosodes.
New Video from Dr. Radko Tichavsky!
In this video, renowned Agrohomeopath Dr. Radko Tichavsky explains Holohomeopathy, the more advanced method of agrohomeopathy: https://youtu.be/GUUoO6Lt-U8 (English subtitles)
Dear Dr. Tichavsky,
In our area, the Areca Nut tree is the main commercial crop. We grow around 0.6 million hectares of Areca Nut Tree out of which 42,600 hectares of areca trees are suffering from Leaf Spot Disease since 2019. This year it is much more due to increased rainfall. We need your help to control this condition. Already we lost on an average of 50% of yield. In some areas even up to 80%. As, a homeopath I want your expertise so that we can get control over the condition.
We are in Koppa and Thirthalli, Shimoga District – part of Southern India.
The average rainfall ranges between 2500mm to 6000mm. The severity is more in higher average rainfall areas, and during intermittent rains, during second half of the rainy season.
The average temperature is around 16-30 degrees Celsius during this period…..Relative humidity is also high above 80% during this time….
Thank you sir
Dr. Kiran Kumar – Homeopathic Doctor
Radko Tichavsky:
Dear Dr. Kumar,
The Leaf Spot Disease in Areca palm (Areca catechu L.) is caused by a group of fungi of the Colletotrichum family (C. gloeosporiodes, C. cordylinicola, C.fructicola, C.siamense, C.tropicale, C.arecicola and C.karstii) and also by Phyllosticta arecae in collaboration with Mycoplasm-like organism.
It is a condition that has been worsening in recent years due to climatic changes.
As an introduction I would like to say that the application of any form of Sulfur or Copper octanate, or the traditional treatment by spraying with a mild solution of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), causes an allopathic effect, where the disease seems to subside, but subsequently worsens and becomes chronic.
In order to arrive at a homeopathic remedy of fast, mild and permanent action as suggested by Hannemann, it is necessary to analyze the relationships between the different microorganisms that coexist in the root system of the areca palm.
Several of Phylla proteobacteria and actinomycetes have metabolic similarity with the plant and are highly antagonistic to the pathogenic fungi agglutinated around Colletotrichum spp. Pseudomonas spp. (Gammaproteobacteria) e.g. Pseudomonas putida for example is present in Piper nigrum, in Allium sativum and in Arachis hyppogaea and Pseudomonas fluorescens is found in fungi such as Laccaria laccata, Laccaria bicolor, Agaricus bisporus, Lentinula edodes, and in plants Arachis hypogaea, Pisus sativum, Beta vulgaris Cajanus cajanus, but also in common cockroaches (Periplaneta americana, Blatta orientalis).
In case of actinomycetes, another phyllum with metabolic similarity to the Areca palm and highly antagonistic to Collletotrichum spp. cluster are represented by Acidothermus sp. and Actinospica sp., predominant bacteria under the metabolic coordination of Bacillus spp. specifically Bacillus aryabhattai.
Bacillus aryabhattai is the trigger of the joint action of other Bacillus species (sensitive to chemical herbicide applications such as glyphosate), and together with Pseudomonas spp. and Actinomycetes they elaborate the systemic strategy involving the production of growth hormone, the enzyme 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate (ACC) deaminase which triggers growth and activity against Leaf Spot Disease in areca palm.
In this case, the application of synthetic fertilizers and herbicides should be avoided. You can apply bionosode vivo 4 JT from the roots of any of the mentioned plants, or in the case of fungi the remedy should be elaborated from their fructifications.
The dynamization should be carried out in non-chlorinated water. The homeopathic remedy is applied on the soil around the affected plants.
On the foliage we use essential oil of Litsea cubeba applied at potency 4 JT.
Inoculation of Trichoderma asperellum by means of a live bionosode 4 JT is another good foliar application strategy since this fungus parasitizes fungi that attack Areca catechu.
Dear Prof Tichavsky,
I farm mushrooms and these require a sterile process. On occasion I will see contamination with Trichoderma harzianum. Are there ways of treating the substrate they grow on to prevent these pathogens? Also, are there remedies that would help increase yield and health of the mushrooms themselves?
Thank you
Daniel Hutson
RadkoTichavsky:
Dear Daniel,
You can use the homeopathic remedy made from the essential oil of Melaleuca aternifolia at potency 4 JT. It is applied on the substrate.
Of course, applying the homeopathic remedy does not mean that the producer can neglect the correct sterilization of the vessels and the substrate to reduce as much as possible the presence of Trichoderma harzianum. We have used this remedy in cultures of Pleurotus ostreatus, Agaricus bisporus, and Lentinus edodes.
Dear Professor Tichavsky,
I heard your presentation on the Agrohomeopathy symposium (https://homeopathyeurope.org/agrohomeopathy-symposium-2022/). Thank you for sharing that information. The Starfruit plant happens to be a heavy metal Cadmium accumulating plant species (high-biomass woody tree which readily absorbs Cadmium from soil): https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2134/jeq2009.0195
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19541343/
https://www.science.gov/topicpages/c/carambola+averrhoa+carambola
My question: A starfruit plantation has been operating for over 15 years. Recently, the soil has been tested to contain very high content of Phosphorus (38ppm), due to the wrong selection of NPK foliar fertilisers. After the incident, the farmer has stopped using the high Phosphorus fertilisers and replaced them with potassium nitrate fertilisers with the hope of reducing the Phosphorus content. However, some experts believe that it would take years for the Phosphorus level in the soil to fall, especially when the area is waterlogged and has flooded three times this year due to climate change (the area used to be prone to drought).
Surface soil analysis has tested positive Arsenic (3.08ppm) and Cadmium (0.56ppm), which are levels slightly above permissible limits in certain countries. This occurrence of heavy metals only started recently after the flooding this year.
Since this year only, high Cadmium levels have been found in the starfruits (lab tests of the fruit: 0.055 – 0.110mg/kg). Fruits tested exceed the Cadmium level of 0.05mg/kg, and are not allowed to be sold for consumption under strict EU food standards. Which homeopathic remedy can help in the condition of
1. high Cadmium level in starfruits, in association with
2. very high Phosphorus level in soil (38ppm. Optimal level is between 16-25ppm only)?
Thank you.
Best regards from Malaysia,
Liew K. Y Liew Kheng Yew
Radko Tichavsky:
Dear Liew,
The presence of Cadmium in the soil may be due to natural causes such as increased anaerobic conditions in certain soil types, but it is also due to the application of phosphorous fertilizers and synthetic fertilizers in general, all of which contain traces of this heavy metal. In acid soils cadmium is bioaccumulated in plants twice as much as in alkaline soils.
As a general rule it can be said that the accumulation of cadmium and other heavy elements in Averrhoa carambola decreases significantly with the presence of mycorhizic fungi in the root system. Chitin, a constituent material of the fungi, is a chelating agent for heavy elements, and humus also performs this important function. Other metabolites such as citric acid, oxalic acid and vanillic acid are cadmium antagonists.
To decrease cadmium biosorption you can use live bionosode from Pisolithus tinctorius 4 JT, prepared in non-chlorinated water and apply it around the trunks of the plants on the soil. You can also use Salix babylonica 6 JT and Populus tremulus 6 JT made from hydroalcoholic mother tincture of the bark of young branches.
Additionally bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis (for example you can apply live bionosode 4 JT from Aloe vera), Pseudomonas fluorescens (you can apply live bionosode 4 JT from Agaricus bisporus) and Pseudomonas putida (you can apply live bionosode 4 JT from Allium sativum) have the ability to chelate Cadmium in the soil and decrease its uptake in starfruit plants.
Alginates, substances naturally present in marine macroalgae, are important chelators as well. You can look for macroalgae present in your area, prepare mother tincture in grain alcohol and apply in water at 6 JT potency on plants.
Calcarea carbonica, Ammonium phosphoricum and Ferrum phosphoricum used at 6 JT potency, are other homeopathic chelating remedies, which we use to reduce the toxicity of Cadmium, an element without taste or smell, but toxic to humans.
Dear Dr.Tichavsky,
Which is the best suitable medicine for gram pod borer in chickpeas? I live in Jaipur, India (Mailing code: 302006). The wet season is oppressive and partly cloudy. The dry season is mostly clear, and it is hot year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 48°F to 104°F and is rarely below 42°F or above 110°F.
Thank you
Praful
Radko Tichavsky:
Dear Praful,
The presence of Pod Borer larval populations of Helicoverpa armigera and H. punctigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. ) is positively correlated with temperature, while relative humidity and rainfall inhibit the larval population. Also a denser plant population favors increased Borer damage and higher NPK doses led to higher Pod Borer infestation.
This gives you some basic ideas on agricultural management: decrease crop density, decrease synthetic NPK fertilizers as much as possible, and work intensively with microorganisms such as bacteria with the ability to leach nitrogen from the air and bioavailable potassium and phosphorus from the soil.
Additionally you can establish inter/trap crops (e.g. coriander, mustard, linseed, sunflower, sorghum and marigold). Especially coriander and other nectar-rich plants encourage parasitoid activity. Some predatory birds, black drongo, house sparrows, blue jays, cattle egrets, pink shepherd, and mynah are common predators of the larvae.
As far as homeopathic remedies are concerned you can use neem tree, Azadirachta indica 6 JT, contains Azadirachtin has both antifeedent and growth retardant properties and can lead to death at any stage of the life cycle by interfering with the neuroendocrine control of metamorphosis in insects.
Allium sativum 6 JT (made from garlic TM) has larvicidal, toxic, repellent, ovicidal, antifeedant and antioviposition effects on insect pests.
Annona squamosa (leaf, bark and seed) TM dynamized to 6 JT potency have pesticidal and insect antifeedant properties against the pod borer.
You can also make a polypharmaceutical from the mixture of Pongamia pinnata 6 JT (leaf), Clerodendrum thomisonidae 6 JT, Aloe vera 6 JT and Vitex agnus castus 6 JT.
Dear Doctor Tichavsky,
My location is Bangalore, India. The climate is tropical and now the temperature ranges from 15°C to 27°C. and no rain at present. On my Papaya plant the older leaves have developed what I think is a fungus “black spots”. Attached photo is the underside of the leaves.
Attached below is the image of underside of the leaf.
Can you suggest a solution to this problem?
Thank you,
Murali
RakdoTichavsky:
Dear Murali,
Papaya black spot is caused by the fungus Asperisporium caricae and is more severe during rainy periods. To avoid the severity of the fungus attack try to decrease the density of the plants, for example lower the density to 566 plants per acre (distance between plants: 7 feet, distance between rows 11 feet).
You can apply Zincum metallicum 6 JT and Cuprum metallicum 6 JT together with Kalium phosphoricum 6 CH, and also you can apply live bionosode of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (brewer’s yeast) at 6 JT potency.
Dear Dr. Tichavsky:
We have a property in south western Australia. We are getting a lot of little black slug like bugs on our fruit tree leaves which basically skeletonize the leaves. What remedy could I try please?
Kind regards
Sophie
Radko Tichavsky:
Dear Sophie,
Most likely it is Caliroa cera. There is a large list of remedies for this pest and you can apply bionosode vivo 4 JT from Beauveria bassiana or Bacillus thuringuensis 6 JT, Tanacetum parthenium 6 JT made from the whole plant in TM in Helianthus annuus oil, or Allium sativum 6 JT made from oleate in Helianthus annuus oil.
Tagetes erecta 6 JT or Tagetes minuta 6 JT (made from the hydroalcoholic TM of the flowers) and Ryania speciosa 12 JT are excellent remedies for this pest as well.
These remedies are applied preventively and correctively, sprayed on the trees.
BOOKS ON HOLOHOMEOPATHY
Many readers asked about Radko Tichavsky’s books. Below is a photo of them. They are available in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. For ordering or information: [email protected]
