Update: New Pest & Disease Records (7 June 2022)

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 record of Dendrothele nivosa on Savin juniper in the Balkans and the first confirmed record of Acarus siro in Brazil.
Read Further

4 pests and diseases of maize

Maize is an important crop, grown by smallholder farmers around the world. It is a staple food in the diets of millions and is vital for food and economic security. However, there are a number of pests and diseases that attack maize and limit yields. Below we outline four pests and diseases of maize and…
Read Further

International Day of Plant Health helps highlight CABI’s work to fight devastating crop pests

International Day of Plant Health – recently established by the United Nations and welcomed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – is a timely reminder of the devastating impact of crop pests, writes Dr Ulli Kuhlmann, PlantwisePlus Programme Executive and Executive Director, Global Operations at CABI.
Read Further

Selecting the right biopesticide or biocontrol product for your needs

White grub, a soil dwelling insect pest
This article was originally published on the CABI BioProtection Portal blog. Visit the original blog post here. Choosing a biopesticide or biocontrol product for managing a pest is about asking the right questions. Below we have compiled a simple list that will help you make the right choice, with the CABI BioProtection Portal to support and guide you.
Read Further

Update: New Pest & Disease Records (5 May 2022)

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 record of wheat stem rust in Ireland in decades and the first report of invasive thrips infesting chilli in Karnataka, India.
Read Further

Update: New Pest & Disease Records (7 April 2022)

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 records of Dryomyia lichtensteinii and Pristiphora depressa, both new to Britain, and new records of several powdery mildews from Taiwan.
Read Further

Free CABI Academy eLearning courses for extension providers available in Rwanda 

CABI Academy
CABI’s new digital learning platform, the CABI Academy, is now available for free for users in Rwanda.   The digital courses are designed for agricultural extension and advisory service providers. They provide important practical advice and resources to participants to grow their knowledge and provide the best possible advice to farmers.
Read Further

Biological pest control – what is it?

Ladybird biological control
This article was originally published on the CABI BioProtection Portal blog. Visit the original blog post here. Biological control (or ‘biocontrol’) is the use of living organisms and naturally sourced (or nature-identical) compounds to control pest and disease populations. The IBMA (International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association) defines biocontrol products as:
Read Further

Gender-sensitive rural advisory services in Ghana come under the spotlight in training workshop

Plantwise-gender
CABI, as part of its global PlantwisePlus programme, has held a training workshop in Ghana aimed at building the capacity of the country’s regional agricultural officers to deliver advisory services which are mindful of the sensitivities of gender differences.
Read Further

Coffee leaf rust: Spotting and managing Hemileia vastatrix

Coffee
Coffee rust or coffee leaf rust is a significant problem in coffee-producing regions. Caused by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix, outbreaks can have a devastating impact on crop yields, rendering coffee cultivation uneconomic wherever it reaches epidemic proportions.
Read Further