Plant clinics improve food security in Rwanda, says new study
Astonishingly, an estimated 40% of crop loss worldwide can be attributed to pests. This statistic that is especially devastating in developing areas where crops are a source of food, income and livestock feed amongst other uses and could be prevented if methods were available.
Soil microbiome linked to disease resistance in crops
A recent study has unearthed the mystery of how plant disease resistance is linked to the soil microbiome. This new area of research will open up new possibilities for a more sustainable food production system and help combat global food security threats.
Smelling plant diseases: New technology identifies plant diseases remotely in the field
Researchers at North Carolina State University have published an exciting study on a novel technology which allows farmers and extension workers to identify plant diseases remotely in the field using airborne chemical fingerprints. The newly developed handheld sensory device, which can be plugged into a smartphone, samples the airborne levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)…
It’s here: the new Plantwise Knowledge Bank!
We are pleased to announce the release of the newly designed and dynamic Plantwise Knowledge Bank. The new website is now mobile responsive and has a cleaner, more user-friendly homepage. Our improved design allows for easier navigation and its responsive layout has made it suitable for desktop, mobiles and tablets.
Yellow Dragon Disease: An Increasing Threat to Global Citrus Production
Yellow dragon disease, also known as citrus greening disease is one of the greatest bacterial threats to citrus trees on a global scale, affecting crop production across Africa, Asia and North America.
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (7 Feb 18)
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 grapevine yellow speckle viroids in Nigeria, the first report of tomato ringspot virus (Secoviridae) in a vineyard in Ohio, USA and the first report of pepper vein…
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (5 Jan 18)
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 the golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) in Iraq, the first report of Ceratocephalus falcatus smut caused by Urocystis eranthidis and a new species of thrip (Genus: Odontothrips)…
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (13 Jul 16)
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 new host records for the fruit fly Ceratitis capitata in the state of Pará, Brazil, the presence of Meloidogyne enterolobii on Jalapeño pepper in Sinaloa, Mexico and the first report of…
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (29 Jun 16)
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 powdery mildew (Erysiphe quercicola) on rubber trees in Viet Nam, the occurrence of anthracnose fruit rot (Colletotrichum nymphaeae) on pepper in Malaysia and the characterization of a novel polerovirus…
Afghan Ministry of Agriculture to conduct nationwide plant pests and diseases survey
Afghanistan is highly dependent on agriculture but has been suffering from multiple plant pest and disease outbreaks. With this in mind, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) has prioritized the identification all existing plant pests and diseases, to be followed by a prevention strategy. This has led to the launch of the ‘Nationwide Insect Pests and Plant…