‘Bio-superhero’ tackles Himalayan balsam at Hell Wath
A ‘bio-superhero’ rust fungus has this week been released at Hell Wath Local Nature Reserve in Ripon, UK, to help tackle Himalayan balsam – one of the UK’s most invasive weed species. Harrogate Borough Council has joined forces with CABI – who are experts in the field of classical biological…
New study highlights challenges to pumpkin and watermelon production in Uganda
A new study published in the CABI Agriculture and Bioscience journal highlights that pests, diseases, and drought, are the main challenges to pumpkin and watermelon production in Uganda. A range of recommendations are presented to help the country’s pumpkin and watermelon farmers increase their yields to help improve their livelihoods…
CABI answers call to tackle invasive water lettuce in Kenya’s Maasai-Mara ecosystem
CABI has responded to a call from residents of the Naretoi Conservancy in Kenya’s Maasai-Mara ecosystem to help rid it of invasive water lettuce. The aquatic water lettuce plant (Pistia stratiotes L.), also known locally as ‘yungi, can have a range of detrimental effects on biodiversity including the degradation of…
Majority of farmers willing to pay for plant health advice, new research shows
The majority of farmers surveyed in Bangladesh, Rwanda and Zambia are willing to pay for visits to CABI-led Plantwise plant clinics which help diagnose potentially devastating crop pests and diseases as well as ways to mitigate impacts on yields. An international team of experts led by Adewale Ogunmodede, Junior Agricultural…
CABI Academy digital teaching resources addressing agricultural challenges now available in Burkina Faso
The CABI Academy addresses a multitude of agricultural challenges faced by smallholder farmers around the world. Our flagship courses are now available for free in Burkina Faso; helping extension workers to advise on how to best tackle issues such as crop-devastating pests and diseases. The available courses are Crop Pest…
CABI-led research prioritizes Invasive Alien Species threat to Kenya
CABI has led research which prioritizes 120 potential Invasive Alien Species (IAS) that could pose a threat to agriculture and biodiversity in Kenya. From the initial assessment, the study, published in the journal Biological Invasions, drew up a list of 21 arthropods, 9 nematodes and 20 pathogenetic species which the…