Update: New Pest & Disease Records (23 Jan 13)
We’ve selected a few of the latest new geographic, host and species records for plant pests and diseases from CAB Abstracts. Records this fortnight include the first report of Alfalfa mosaic virus and Soybean dwarf virus on soybean in North Dakota, storage rot of dragon fruit caused by Gilbertella persicaria and a new wilt disease of banana…
A Sting In The Tale- EFSA Assesses The Risks of Neonicotinoids To Bees
Bees represent a proportion of the insects that contribute to the pollination of crops, and the potential impact of observed declines in bees on crop yields, as well as their importance as pollinators of wild flowers, has resulted in significant attention and controversy in determining the causes of bee declines. No single factor has been…
CABI scientists help to uncover new occurrences of plant diseases
In 2012, CABI scientists continued to contribute to the discovery of new occurrences of plant pests and diseases, via the Plantwise diagnostic service. CABI’s Plantwise initiative offers a free service for eligible clients in developing countries, providing disease identification support to plant clinics. Every year, the DFID-funded service receives more than 500 samples from 80…
Update: Plant Health News (17 Jan 13)
Here’s a taste of some of the latest stories about plant health, including the use of bananas to improve the production off coffee, rain in Zimbabwe intensifying the armyworm outbreak and the potential cost of banning neonicotinoids in the UK. Click on the link to read more of the latest plant health news!
Why food losses are even greater than the Global Food report by IMechE says
by Daniel O’Hara Yesterday saw the release of a report from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers which highlighted the shocking level of waste within the global food system. The report, ‘Global Food – Waste not, want not’, claims 30-50% (or 1.2-2bn tonnes) of all food produced is wasted. In the context of a rapidly growing…
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (09 Jan 13)
We’ve selected a few of the latest new geographic, host and species records for plant pests and diseases from CAB Abstracts. Records this fortnight include Conotrachelus weevil species associated with guava, Epitrix flea beetles threatening potato production in Europe and Fusarium causing shoot canker of kumquat in China.
Plantwise 2012 Highlights
As we move into the New Year and all that 2013 has to offer it seems like a good time to review some of the achievements of 2012 . Here are a few of the Plantwise highlights of 2012!
Julien Lamontagne-Godwin at a cacao depot in North Kivu, DRC
Whenever I am working in Democratic Republic of Congo, I always link up with our partner ESCO, a regional cacao producer and exporter, also active in Uganda.
Success for plant clinics in China
Since the first Plant clinic in China opened its doors in 2012, Plantwise activities in the country have gone from strength to strength. With help from local partners and the Chinese Institute of Plant Protection (IPP-CAAS), CABI were able to set up 9 plant clinics in China in 2012 and trained 29 plant doctors to…
Update: Plant Health News (2 Jan 13)
Here’s a taste of some of the latest stories about plant health, including the reaction of sweet potatoes to rising CO2, Spanish avocados affected by fungi and the conversion of banana waste into electricity. Click on the link to read more of the latest plant health news!