Phase V Projects
Biological control of the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus in East Africa
Principal Investigator: Wondi Mersie
This project will develop and implement biological control of the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus in East Africa through a process of technology development, adoption, and scaling up combined with human and institutional capacity building activities. A tentative kick-start meeting is planned for December.
IPM for exportable fruit crops in Vietnam
This project will develop, implement, and scale up IPM packages in Vietnam for fruits of high export potential to the United States, such as lychee, longan, dragon fruit, and mango.
Modeling for biodiversity and climate change
Principal Investigator: Nir Krakauer
Climate change continues to impact agricultural systems and biodiversity. This project will initiate an empirical study on the effect of climate change on biodiversity and changes in biodiversity to document climate change. Nepal represents a diversity of climatic regimes, making it an ideal country to conduct spatio-temporal changes in climate and, in turn, biodiversity.
Invasive Species – Modeling for South American tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta, and groundnut leafminer Aproaerema modicella (simplexella)
The spread of invasive species is one of the greatest threats to ecological and agricultural well-being on earth. This project will develop, implement, and scale up IPM packages for selected crops and address two invasive species: the South American tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta, and the groundnut leafminer Aproaerema modicella (simplexella).
Vegetable crops and mango IPM in Asia: George Norton
The major vegetables grown in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Nepal include tomato, eggplant, cabbage, cauliflower, beans, numerous cucurbits, onion, and okra. This project will build on the work the Innovation Lab has already accomplished in the region, and it will develop IPM components for the pests and diseases of mango – an important fruit crop in Bangladesh – and integrate them into a package of practices.
Innovative scientific research and technology transfer to develop and implement integrated pest management strategies for rice pests in Cambodia
Crop losses due to pests are a major constraint to alleviating poverty and improving nutrition in Southeast Asia, and the improper use of pesticides poses a serious threat to health and biodiversity. This project will diagnose the major pests of rice and develop rice IPM technologies for the rice ecosystem.
Vegetable crops IPM in East Africa
The Integrated Pest Management Innovation Lab East Africa project will address pests of vegetable crops – specifically tomato, African eggplant, cabbage, chilis, beans, and onion – in commercial fields and home gardens in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Rice, maize, and chickpea IPM for East Africa
This project will develop an IPM strategy for rice, maize, and chickpea in East Africa through a process of technology development and large-scale transfer combined with human and institutional capacity building activities.