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.
The continuing struggle for onion farmers in the Philippines
Since mid-2022, the price of the humble red onion has been increasing in the Philippines. In December of last year, the price surged to around 700 pesos ($12.80; £10.40) per kilogram. Making onions more expensive than the equivalent amount of beef for Filipinos. A staple of Philippine cooking, the country consumes approximately 17,000 metric tons…
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (12 January 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 report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Atractylodes lancea in China and the first report of carrot torrado virus 1 (CaTV1) naturally infecting carrots in Spain.
East Africa’s bean industry adapts to climate change
Climate change is likely to have a severe impact on East Africa’s bean industry. Beans are a vital crop, with over 200 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa depending on them as their most important pulse.
PlantwisePlus most read blogs of 2022
As 2022 draws to a close, we have crunched the numbers to present the most-read articles on the PlantwisePlus Blog this year. Plus a few firm favourites. Articles on the PlantwisePlus tools and plant doctor training across the globe were some of the most read during 2022, as were those covering the work Plantwise continues…
Tuta absoluta in the Americas
Tackling the tomato pest, Tuta absoluta, with natural pesticide alternatives in the Americas Tuta absoluta (also known as Phthorimaea absoluta) is one of the most devastating plant-eating pests worldwide. It affects tomato plants and fresh tomatoes. And it causes high levels of crop production loss. Without stemming the spread, its effects are devastating.
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (05 December 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 information about a new virus disease of sunflower from Nebraska and the isolation and identification of the top blight pathogen of Passiflora edulis.
Seek and destroy: use of nematodes for insect pest control
This article was originally published on the CABI BioProtection Portal blog. Visit the original blog post here. With many insecticides being banned from use in agriculture due to their harmful effects on users and the environment, nematodes can offer an effective alternative to controlling these insect pests. They are particularly useful in managing pests that are difficult to target…
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (07 November 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 report of Tobacco mosaic virus infecting papaya in China and the first report of fruit rot of sweet pepper caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides in Israel.