Crop App Index paves the way for a smoother route to existing agricultural decision support tools
CABI has today launched a new product – the Crop App Index – aimed at paving the way for a smoother route to existing agricultural decision support tools to help navigate issues related to plant health. The free to access Crop App Index has been developed by CABI as part…
Opportunities for natural enemy to fight devastating fall armyworm, review highlights
A new CABI-led review has highlighted mass rearing techniques, estimated costs of mass production and release strategies for the natural enemy Telenomus remus that suggests it could be effective in the fight against the devastating fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in affected countries. The study, published in CABI Agriculture and Bioscience,…
Tiny mite shows promise as biological control agent to fight Australian swamp stonecrop in UK and Europe
A new study led by CABI scientists has confirmed that a tiny mite, Aculus crassulae, shows promise to be used as a more environmentally-friendly biological control agent against the aquatic weed Crassula helmsii in the UK and Europe. The research, published in the journal Biological Control, reveals that A. crassulae…
CABI reports good progress made in 2021 as part of its work with the Better Cotton Initiative in Pakistan
CABI has reported good progress made against a range of key objectives as part of its work in 2021 to help Pakistan’s cotton farmers reduce annual losses of around $350m through poor production, transport and storage practices under the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). Working with a range of partners, CABI…
Study of ants suggests a need for better biodiversity conservation across agricultural land in the tropics
A new study, led by CABI scientist Dr Elizabeth Finch, is the first to investigate the impacts of swidden agriculture on ant communities across the full degradation gradient, highlighting the utmost importance of the conservation of existing closed canopy forests. Swidden agriculture, known more commonly as slash and burn agriculture,…
Researchers at University of Dar es Salaam to receive science communication training
Almost 100 researchers and PhD students at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania are next in line to take part in a science communication training programme from SciDev.Net funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The latest cohort, which will receive the training that aims to…
New CABI-led study examines relationship between two natural enemies of brown marmorated stink bug pest
A new CABI-led study has examined the relationship between two closely-related natural enemies of the brown marmorated stink bug in respect of how they interact when trying to attack the fruit and nut pest’s egg masses. The brown marmorated stink bug is a global pest which in 2016 caused $60m…
CABI to lead assessment of data across ACIAR research portfolio
CABI is to lead an assessment of data management and FAIR data principles in research conducted by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) with a view to considering the barriers to data utility in its investment portfolio. The six-month project will see CABI engaging with ACIAR Research Programme…
CABI to assess biological controls in fight against diamondback moth, fall and beet armyworms in Malaysia
CABI is preparing to conduct efficacy field trials for safer-to-use and more environmentally-friendly biological control products to tackle the devastating crop pests diamondback moth, fall armyworm and beet armyworm in Malaysia. Scientists at CABI’s regional centre in Malaysia have been commissioned by AgBiTech – a global leader in biological solutions…
CABI looks to help turn the tide on Ascension Island’s prickly issue of invasive Mexican thorn
CABI is working in partnership with the Ascension Island Government Conservation and Fisheries Directorate (AIGCFD) as part of a new project to tackle Ascension Island’s prickly problem of the highly invasive Mexican thorn (Prosopis juliflora) – the most damaging invasive species on the island. Funded by The Darwin Initiative –…