Mealy Plum Aphid: An Overview
The mealy plum aphid, or reed aphid, is a sap-sucking plant pest that is commercially important for fruit tree farmers. It is present across the globe and can cause significant damage in large numbers. Introduction Aphids are small, soft-bodied, sap-sucking bugs in the family Aphididae which cause extensive damage to plants when in large numbers.…
Digital innovation: integrating PlantwisePlus digital tools in Bangladesh
PlantwisePlus is developing and updating various digital tools for decision support and learning. In Bangladesh, these digital decision-support tools enable farmer advisors to serve farmers more effectively.
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (08 December 2023)
We’ve selected a few of the latest new geographic, host and species records for plant pests and diseases from CAB Abstracts. Records this month include the first report of leaf spot on soybean caused by Epicoccum sorghinum in Heilongjiang Province, China and information about three new alien spider mites from south-eastern France.
Digital tools workshops empower agriculture stakeholders in Jamaica
Last month a series of digital tools workshops occurred in Southern Jamaica. Organized by the PlantwisePlus team in collaboration with the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA). These workshops aimed to showcase and promote the PlantwisePlus digital tools, including the PlantwisePlus Knowledge Bank, Factsheet Library App, and CABI Academy. The events catered to a diverse audience,…
Role of plant clinics in Nepal highlighted at 10th International Plant Protection Symposium
The important role plant clinics play to help smallholder farmers in Nepal grow more healthier and profitable crops free from pests and diseases has been highlighted at the 10th International Plant Protection Symposium.
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (06 November 2023)
We’ve selected a few of the latest new geographic, host and species records for plant pests and diseases from CAB Abstracts. Records this month include the first report of Dolichothrips indicus in Colombia and the first report of a species of Neopestalotiopsis on strawberry in Canada.
Pests and diseases: cocoyam production in Ghana
Cocoyam species are a staple crop in Ghana that hold significant importance for food security, particularly in times of famine and natural disasters. Despite being known for their hardy nature, cocoyams are vulnerable to a range of pests and diseases which can threaten their production. Cocoyam production also faces additional challenges which affect crop yields…
How has a ‘writeshop’ helped to address invasive apple snail in Kenya?
Invasive species, like apple snail, are a threat to food security. It’s important that they’re quickly managed before they start to spread. One of the best ways to do this is to share plant health knowledge with smallholder farmers. And writeshops are an excellent tool for gathering evidence-based information to do this. In this blog,…
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (13 October 2023)
We’ve selected a few of the latest new geographic, host and species records for plant pests and diseases from CAB Abstracts. Records this month include the first report of Fusarium sacchari causing root rot of tobacco in China and the first report of Fusarium commune causing root rot of field peas in Canada.
Empowering smallholder farmers in Kenya to produce sustainable safe food
Smallholder farmers play a vital role in feeding communities around the world. In Kenya, the CABI-led PlantwisePlus programme is making significant strides to enable these farmers to grow safe and high-quality foods through sustainable crop production.