China’s plant doctors of tomorrow trained by CABI at Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University
China’s plant doctors of tomorrow have been trained by CABI at Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University (ZAFU) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province as part of its overall mission to help the country reduce crop losses from pests and diseases.
Integrated rodent management: rice production
Rodents are a particularly challenging pest in the rice production industry as they are a problem all the way from sowing to harvest. The rice field rat (Rattus argentiventer) causes average losses of 10-20% in rice growing areas. Ranking as the most important non-weed pest in Indonesia for 15 years up until 2000. Integrated Pest…
Helping to ensure greater food security through the eyes of a young farmer and plant doctor
Dr Dennis Rangi, CABI’s Director General, Development based at its regional centre for Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, wrote a thought leadership article as part of International Youth Day. He said that a ‘revolution’ in agribusiness involving Africa’s youth is required so they can capitalise on the sector’s contribution to around 25% of the continent’s Gross…
Training workshop focuses on rearing of stem boring weevil to fight noxious parthenium weed in Pakistan
Parthenium hysterophorus is a highly destructive weed that has crossed continents, and is spreading rapidly in both rural and urban landscapes across Pakistan. A variety of methodologies have been used to control its spread but no single management option is adequate to manage parthenium. Therefore, there is a need to integrate various management options. Successful…
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (20 April 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 root rot on onion seedlings caused by Globisporangium irregulare in South Korea, and the first report of Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus infecting muskmelon (Cucumis melo) in…
Permanent Plant Clinic Programme gets to grips with yellowing of rice paddies in Sri Lanka
The CABI-led Permanent Plant Clinic Programme (PCCP) is working in partnership with the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka to tackle the issue of yellowing of rice paddies which is threatening livelihoods and food security in the Mahaweli region.
CABI helps Kenyan farmers combat invasive apple snail
In 2019, Kenyan farmers first started reporting instances of the invasive apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) infesting rice paddy nurseries. Thanks to speedy action by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and the Ministry of Agriculture, intervention actions were rolled out across the country. Importantly, these interventions spread awareness of the new invasive pest and…
Aflatoxins, rabies and misuse of pesticides and animal health drugs are top ‘One Health’ issues at joint crop-livestock focused clinics in Uganda
Aflatoxins, rabies and misuse of pesticides and drugs are among the top issues prioritised to be addressed at joint crop-livestock clinics set up to help improve the health and livelihoods of smallholder farming families in Uganda.
Taro caterpillar outbreak in central India
The Taro caterpillar (Spodoptera litura), is a pest of many crops across Asia and Oceania. This species is generally well-controlled by natural enemies. Therefore, outbreaks in India’s Madhya Pradesh over the past two years are particularly notable.
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (08 March 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 Diaporthe phoenicicola causing leaf spot on blueberry in China and the first report of Neopestalotiopsis rosae causing crown and root rot of strawberry in California.