The ‘plant’ doctor will see you now
This blog was originally published on Good Food Movement Until five years ago, M. Muthulakshmi, a farmer from Thoppupatti village in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, relied heavily on chemicals, including banned antibiotics like streptomycin, for her paddy crop. It was her go-to solution to treat bacterial blight, a deadly disease that affects crop yield. But, this…
Invasive apple snail in Kenyan irrigation scheme could potentially spread to more areas
Experts consider the invasive apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) one of the world’s worst invasive alien species. This species is native to South America and invades freshwater systems. It spreads rapidly and is very adaptable to stressful environmental conditions and changes. It also has high reproductive rates and strong defence mechanisms. Additionally, the areas it invades…
Most read blogs of 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, we’ve tallied the numbers to reveal the most read blogs on the PlantwisePlus Blog this year—plus a few firm favourites! Our most read blogs cover crop pest guides, digital tools, and biocontrols for invasive species, highlighting the impactful work we do with smallholder farmers, policymakers, and communities. Did any…
Shaping sustainable management of the South American tomato leafminer in Vietnam
The global damage caused by the South American tomato leafminer (Phthorimaea absoluta) poses a significant threat to tomato production worldwide, including in Vietnam. Since its first official recording in Son La province in 2019, tomato growers have faced potential crop losses of 80–100%. A combination of its spread and ability to develop resistance to pesticides…
Types of biological control: augmentative, conservation and classical
Biological control, also called biocontrol or bioprotection, is a method of pest control using other organisms, natural enemies, pathogens, semiochemicals and natural substances. Unlike some other methods of control in agriculture, bioprotection often has little to no side effects.