Predicting the effects of global warming on insect pests
It has been estimated that presently pests cause 30-50% of yield losses to agricultural crops in developing countries and these rates are likely to increase with climate change. Although much attention has been given to the impacts of climate change on insect abundance and severity in temperate regions, little is known about potential impacts in…
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (13 July 11)
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. A new disease in mango caused by Trichothecium roseum. ShiLan, H.; ZengLiang, L.; XiaoMei, L.; YiXian, X.; JinJiPankaj, P.; Sirohi, A.; Jain, R. K.; Singh, K. (2011) Journal…
State of severe food insecurity in Africa
On the 7 July the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) announced that an appeal to help more that 10 million people in east Africa, suffering from their worst drought in over half a century, would be broadcast on ITV, BBC, Sky, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Update: Plant Health News (6 Jul 11)
Here’s a taste of some of the latest news stories about plant health: Sensor developed to detect crop disease FWi – Arable News, 5 July 2011 Sweetpotato foundation seed tested in commercial operations; Virus-tested seeds proven to increase yields ScienceDaily: Latest Science News, 1 July 2011 Putting Ug99 on the Map: An Update on Current…
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (29 June 11)
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 Agathis fuscipennis in Europe as parasitoid of the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta. Loni, A.; Rossi, E.; Achterberg, K. van (2011) Bulletin of Insectology…
Update: Plant Health News (22 Jun 11)
Here’s a taste of some of the latest news stories about plant health: New locust threat in Madagascar FAO, 21 June 2011 US: Tiny fly causes big trouble for Oregon’s fruit farmers Fresh Plaza, 20 June 2011 ‘Super wheat’ resists devastating rust SciDev Net, 17 June 2011 Weeding out Africa’s witch plant New Agriculturist, June 2011 U.S.…
Animal and Human Pathogens Can Cross from Manure into Food Crops
Following the recent outbreak of E. coli food poisoning in Germany that claimed at least 39 lives as of 16 June 2011 and still counting, numerous articles have been written, but many fundamental questions still remain unanswered. As you will remember, contaminated Spanish cucumbers were initially blamed for the outbreak of E. coli infection, which…
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (15 June 11)
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. Incidence of Meloidogyne graminicola on rice in Andaman Islands. Pankaj; Anil Sirohi; Jain, R. K.; Khajan Singh (2011) Annals of Plant Protection Sciences 19 (1), 259-260.…
Call for support for sustainable smallholder agriculture
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), last week called for a dramatic increase in support for sustainable agriculture, including smallholder farmers, as a way to drive green growth and reduce poverty. This is…
Update: Plant Health News (8 Jun 11)
Here’s another taste of some of the latest news stories about plant health: Uruguayan scientists find apple decay pathogen fighter FreshFruitPortal.com, 7 June 2011 HortNZ hails govt biosecurity funding plan FreshFruitPortal.com, 6 June 2011 African Researchers and Farmers Begin Effort to Reduce Crop Loss from Striga Crop Biotech Update, 3 June 2011 Aflatoxin Infects 160…