Promoting Scientific Information Exchange to Combat the Whitefly Menace
Whitefly management and control strategy
General interest in whiteflies stimulated numerous published documents and collection of literature on Bemisia as aid to researchers, educators, extension personnel, agricultural producers, industry, and government officials to find solutions against an ever growing list of whitefly-transmitted virus species that jeopardize crop production. In the Asian and Pacific region, experts believe that this problem can only be more effectively resolved by forging regional cooperation, particularly by maintaining an efficient flow of information on whitefly research, crop protection studies, and pest management practices through proactive updating and sharing of practical information of all sources. Investigations on whiteflies have now reached a stage at which significant applicable technologies can result from mutual exchange of information among nations.
Forum for Scientific Information Exchange
FFTC, in cooperation with the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) and the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), both under the Council of Agriculture (COA) of Taiwan ROC, organized the international seminar on Whitefly Management and Control Strategy to create opportunities for the advancement and sharing of information to enable the crop protection sector to effectively keep track and control whitefly pest species and plant diseases from spreading to new crops and locations.
Amid this era of globalization and trade liberalization, the seminar proved to be very timely and fitting. Now, every country must share the common cause of finding innovative solutions in such areas as crop protection, not only to cope with indigenous agricultural pests, but also to be aware of the risk and impact of alien invasive species such as whiteflies and its various species and biotypes. This potential threat is gaining more and more attention in view of the ever-increasing menace in the movement of alien invasive species across national borders, brought about by increased activities in worldwide trade and travel.
In the past three decades or so, the upsurge in whitefly severity has prompted scientists and extension workers worldwide to find ways to control this pest. The most common whiteflies are the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), and the silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii). On top of the notorious list, however, is the tiny silverleaf whitefly, which causes far more damage than its size suggests it could. It feeds on many crops and costs growers severe economic losses each year. Several new species and viruses spread by this pest have been found in many Asian countries. These newly invading whiteflies are apparently brought about by increasing movement of plant materials and produce among national borders. They have quickly become serious insect pests in the region, often causing high crop losses through direct feeding damage or through transmission of decimating plant viruses.
During the seminar, distinguished experts representing nine countries in the Asian region shared and exchanged rich knowledge and experience on whitefly-related research and development works. The scientific inputs provided by the speakers are vital toward a better understanding of the current situation of whitefly occurrence, crop protection studies, and pest management and control practices in the region, toward coming up with focused programs and action plans that would lead to improved and sustained crop protection against whitefly pest species and plant diseases.
Management and Control Strategy
The escalating whitefly problem has led to an increased use of insecticides, which not only put pressure on the environment, but has led to resistance problems. Also, the various whitefly species and biotypes look very much alike, but they have subtle physiological differences. These differences can cause them to respond differently to control strategies. Because control measures must be selected according to the type of whitefly present, accurate identification is critical to successful control.
Today, using an integrated, environment-friendly, and sustainable control strategy against whiteflies is the biggest challenge. Neither chemical, biological nor cultural controls used singly have controlled whitefly where it has become predominant pest in field or greenhouse crops. However, the integration of several control tactics can be effective in reducing the overall impact of this pest, and may lead to an acceptably low level of whitefly infestation.
During the seminar, some of the important considerations pointed out by the speakers in terms of coming up with an integrated whitefly control include: knowing which plants are affected by whiteflies and understanding the nature of its damage to crops; the biology of the whiteflies and their natural enemies; and how to monitor whitefly populations such as sites, population dynamics, and action thresholds. Also, it is important to know the limitations of various control tactics, which include cultural controls such as altered planting practices and physical barriers, host plant resistance, chemical controls, and natural controls.
Looking Ahead
The major output of the seminar is a compilation of relevant and timely practical and technical information that will surely help countries in the Asian region cope with the major damages brought about by whitefly infestation. A total of 15 papers were presented during the seminar, all outcomes of years of research and scientific investigation, and represent a great contribution to the advancement of agricultural science, particularly in the area of crop protection. The papers, which will be disseminated by FFTC through its various publication lines, embody the state-of-the-art in whiteflies as pests and vectors of plant viruses in Asia, and which will be useful to researchers, extension specialists, and policymakers for the better management and control of the pest.
Whiteflies have been reported and continue to maintain a high pest status causing severe damage in most temperate and subtropical regions. Hence, countries within the Asian and Pacific region must be able to establish a systematic mechanism for the sharing and exchange of knowledge, information and technology. As new whitefly species and viruses spread into and within the Asian and Pacific region due to the increase in globalization and trade liberalization with increasing movement of plant materials and produces among countries, new problems are to be expected. The tiny whiteflies will not only cause crop losses within a country but also will become a potential alien invasive species across national borders.
For all its intent and purposes, this seminar was able to provide all the participating countries with first hand information on recent advances in Asia in the area of crop protection toward effectively controlling whiteflies in the region. Finally, it is envisioned that the activity will pave the way toward improving the flow of information and effecting a better understanding of the control and management of whitefly pests and the diseases they transmit.
Index of Images
Figure 1 FFTC Director Sing-Hwa Hu Welcomes the Participants to the Whitefly Management and Control Seminar.
Figure 2 Whitefly Infestation on Melon
Figure 3 Whitefly Damage on Bellpepper Production in the Greenhouse
Figure 4 Participants of the Seminar Observe Pest Management Practices for Horticultural Crop Production in Nantou County in Central Taiwan
Figure 5 Officials of the Miaoli District Agricultural Research and Extension Station in North Central Taiwan Brief the Participants of Their Bio-Control Research and Extension Works for Crop Production.
