Our center recently held a workshop on plant diseases, led by Assistant Lecturer Fatima Hussein Bureij, Agricultural Supervisor Alia Ismail, and Biologist Rana Louay. The discussion focused on the growing concern of climate change and its role in worsening plant diseases.
Climate change creates favorable conditions for pests and diseases, allowing them to spread to new areas and threaten a wider range of plants. This was exemplified by the mention of pests like the red palm weevil, fall armyworm, and fruit fly. Increased pests and diseases pose a significant threat to biodiversity and agricultural income.
The workshop explored different types of plant diseases, including bacterial, viral, and even organic ones. It also discussed strategies to combat these threats:
Organic control: Applying copper-based fungicides before dry weather and using organic sprays to coat leaves and prevent infection.
Chemical control: Utilizing pesticides like fluazinam in combination with preventive measures and biological controls for effective disease management.
This workshop aimed to raise awareness about plant diseases and equip participants with knowledge to combat them. By promoting such scientific activities, our center remains committed to serving society, science, and knowledge.