Help CABI count the cost of invasive alien species to Africa
CABI is calling on a range of organisations working in agriculture to help them count the economic cost of a multitude of invasive alien species (IAS) – such as the Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) – to Africa by taking part in a major new…
Farmers and fishermen believe livelihoods would be enhanced by removal of semiaquatic weed
Farmers and fishermen living along the Kafue River floodplains in Zambia believe that removal of the invasive semiaquatic weed Mimosa pigra would ‘considerably enhance’ their livelihoods, according to new research undertaken by CABI scientists and published in Austral Ecology. Dr Arne Witt, based at CABI’s centre in Nairobi, Kenya, led…
Biocontrol is most cost-effective strategy in fight against common pest pear Opuntia stricta
The cochineal Dactylopius opuntiae ‘stricta’ biotype is more effective as a sustainable biocontrol in the fight against the invasive common pest pear Opuntia stricta in Laikipia County, Kenya, compared to physical and/or chemical control – CABI scientists can now reveal. Dr Arne Witt, based at CABI’s centre in Nairobi, led…
‘Alien’ plants do not adversely impact native tree species in Tanzania’s Amani Botanical Garden
CABI scientists have collaborated on new research which reveals that a range of invasive plants studied do not have a negative impact upon the seed germination, seedling survival or seedling communities of native trees in the Amani Botanical Garden (ABG) in Tanzania. Dr René Eschen and Dr Urs Schaffner joined…
Neem-based biopesticides ‘as good as’ insecticides to fight Fall armyworm
CABI scientists and their partners from Ghana, including the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD), Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) and Radiation Entomology and Pest Management Centre - Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI), have revealed that the neem-based biopesticides Ozoneem and especially Grow-Safe are ‘as good as’ the…
Nematode-based solution offers possible ‘weapon’ in arsenal against devastating fall armyworm pest
A PhD student from the University of Neuchâtel and CABI in Switzerland is collaborating with plant protection scientists of Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resource Development Board (RAB) and farmers to find a viable biocontrol solution for the devastating fall armyworm (FAW) as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy…