New Sunflower Pest Reference Serves as Key Guide for Researchers Professionals

Posted on Thu, 19 May 2016, 14:55

A new book titled, Compendium of Sunflower Diseases and Pests, is the latest tool to protect the yield and quality of this globally significant crop. It includes nearly 300 images and research-based management recommendations to help academics and professionals …

Gridlock over Italy's olive tree deaths starts to ease

Posted on Thu, 19 May 2016, 14:14

A court ruling paves the way for disease-containment measures, but the risk of spread to other regions and nations remains. This article can be found in Nature and is written by Alison Abbott.

Laurel Wilt of Avocado

Posted on Wed, 18 May 2016, 08:36

With 12 000 commercial avocado trees already destroyed by the laurel wilt pathogen, they represent about 1.5 per cent of trees grown for farming in Florida. Avocados are [also] popular in residential landscapes. See more.

United States must step-up forest pest prevention new study says

Posted on Thu, 12 May 2016, 09:20

Imported forest pests cause billions of dollars in damages each year, and U.S. property owners and municipalities foot most of the bill. Efforts to prevent new pests are not keeping pace with escalating trade and must be strengthened if we …

Amazon and eBay hosted ads for banned invasive species Guardian News)

Posted on Wed, 11 May 2016, 06:47

Amazon and eBay appear to have openly broken the law by hosting listings to ship banned invasive species to the UK, the Guardian can reveal.

Both eBay and Amazon have previously been criticised for hosting ivory traders, but the UN …

SPC publishes Biosecurity Manual for Handicrafts

Posted on Wed, 04 May 2016, 06:59

BIOSECURITY MANUAL FOR HANDICRAFTS - Requirements for trade and movement of handicrafts in the Pacific Island Region and beyond has been published. This manual is produced by the Biosecurity and Trade Division of LRD and has been an outcome of …

An emerging biotype of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Discovered in the Pacific

Posted on Wed, 04 May 2016, 06:51

The discovery of a new biotype of Coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), Oryctes rhinoceros, is an imminent threat to the livelihoods and economy of Pacific Islanders reliant on coconut, oil palm and other palms.

The new biotype, known as CRB-Guam was …

Blast disease of wheat in Bangladesh: a Brazilian origin?

Posted on Mon, 02 May 2016, 12:57

The wheat blast strains in Bangladesh are genetically very similar to wheat blast strains previously identified in Brazil. The genetically most similar strains were collected in Brazilian wheat fields and on associated weeds Eleusine indica (goose grass) and Cenchrus echinatus …

Devastating wheat fungus appears in Asia for first time

Posted on Thu, 28 Apr 2016, 15:34

Fields are ablaze in Bangladesh, as farmers struggle to contain Asia s first outbreak of a fungal disease that periodically devastates crops in South America. Plant pathologists warn that wheat blast could spread to other parts of south and southeast …

Ash dieback disease in UK - hope for a resistant strain

Posted on Fri, 22 Apr 2016, 14:34

Scientists identify first tree to show strong tolerance to the disease raising hopes of developing a resistant strain: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/22/betty-the-ash-tree-offers-hope-against-deadly-dieback-disease-resistance

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - Locust Management Specialists

Posted on Fri, 15 Apr 2016, 14:56

The Sub regional office of the FAO for North Africa supported the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) and the Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO) in organizing a workshop for Maghreb in order to revitalize and strengthen the exchange and cooperation …

Cassava in south-east Asia under threat from witches*** broom disease

Posted on Fri, 15 Apr 2016, 07:53

Climate change menacing yet another food crop by fuelling explosion in pests and diseases that are attacking cassava plants: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/15/cassava-south-east-asia-under-threat-witches-broom-disease-climate-change

Biodiversity brings disease resistance study suggests

Posted on Mon, 11 Apr 2016, 08:05

A novel study of a Tibetan alpine meadow has shown a clear link between higher biodiversity and greater infectious disease resistance. The researchers say it provides further strong evidence that maintaining biodiversity among the world''s species should be a high …

Black wattle***s new biogeographic distribution threatens flight safety in China

Posted on Mon, 11 Apr 2016, 08:00

Black wattle, flowering trees also known as Australian acacia, have been observed to rapidly invade local airports in Yunnan province, southwestern China. According to the ecologists, this alien species and its fast spreading populations are to lead to new threats …