Update: New Pest & Disease Records (19 Oct 11)

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We’ve selected a few of the latest new geographic, host and species records for plant pests and diseases from CAB Abstracts. Click on the links to view the abstracts. First report of blue mold caused by Penicillium oxalicum in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in Mexico. Picos-Munoz, P. A.; Garcia-Estrada, R. S.; Carrillo-Fasio, J. A.; Leon-Felix, J.;…
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Is citrus greening coming your way?

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Mexico is the latest to succumb to the inevitable spread and establishment of huanglongbing (HLB) – the devastating disease of citrus crops. Mexican authorities in the states of Jalisco, Michoacán and Colima have warned growers that HLB – otherwise known as citrus greening – is here to stay. HLB was first detected in Mexico in…
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Information Diffusion Key to Pest Management

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A recent study has found that integrated pest management programs can experience significant lags in their implementation due to slow ‘information diffusion’ within farmer communities. Cooperation between farmers in developing countries was found to be key to ensure the successful coordinated implementation of such programs. Integrated pest management (IPM) programs are biological approaches to dealing…
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Update: Plant Health News (12 Oct 11)

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Here’s a taste of some of the latest news stories about plant health: Smarter toxins help crops fight resistant pests EurekAlert! – Agriculture, 9 October 2011 Herbicide-resistant superweeds overpowering crops CBC.ca – Technology & Science, 7 October 2011 Research urged to combat Philippine banana disease SciDev.Net, 7 October 2011 US (FL): Citrus growers fight greening…
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Update: New Pest & Disease Records (6 Oct 11)

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We’ve selected a few of the latest new geographic, host and species records for plant pests and diseases from CAB Abstracts. Click on the links to view the abstracts. Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae), a new pest in Montenegro. Hrncic, S.; Radonjic, S.; Vänninen, I. (2011) IOBC/WPRS Bulletin 68, 71-74 First report of Phytophthora foliar…
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Update: Plant Health News (29 Sept 11)

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Here’s a taste of some of the latest news stories about plant health: Mexico: fruit flies damaging orange crops in Veracruz Fresh Fruit Portal, 29 September 2011 Ghana: Engaging cocoa growers through text messaging from AgInfo News World Education, 26 September 2011 Tanzania: Regional Crisis as Sugarcane Production Falls AllAfrica News: Food, Agriculture and Rural…
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Update: New Pest & Disease Records (22 Sept 11)

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We’ve selected a few of the latest new geographic, host and species records for plant pests and diseases from CAB Abstracts. Click on the links to view the abstracts. Identification of some viruses causing mosaic on lettuce and characterization of Lettuce mosaic virus from Tehran province in Iran. Soleimani, P.; Mosahebi, G.; Habibi, M. K.…
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No confrontation as UK MPs debate food security and famine in the Horn of Africa

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Praise for the generosity of the British public, the need to continue supporting small-scale farmers, and the importance of science: these issues were all raised in a debate on food security and famine in the Horn of Africa in the UK’s House of Commons on Thursday 15 September.
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Coffee Berry Borer thriving due to Climate Change

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A newly published paper has found that temperature increases are benefiting coffee berry borers in East Africa. The insects are causing more damage to coffee crops and it has also been reported that their distribution range has also expanded. The researchers behind the study also predict that the damage caused by the borers will worsen…
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Sunscreen for temperate crops

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British researchers have discovered how corals are able to resist harmful UV light through their relationship with algae. They have found more than 20 sun-protection compounds within corals that could be used to benefit farmers in developing countries.  The new compounds could bolster the current sun protection processes found in temperate crops to allow them…
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