2222

Summary

This transcript captures a detailed discussion among researchers and scientists focused on agricultural pest management. The group shares updates on their ongoing trials and research efforts concerning pests like fall armyworm and brown plant hopper in various countries such as Nepal, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and others. They discuss the progress of molecular diagnostic labs, field experiments, and biological control methods, while also highlighting challenges such as pest resistance and the importance of maintaining laboratory colonies. The conversation emphasizes the collaborative effort across regions, with a focus on advancing research and improving pest management practices for farmers.

Takeaways

• 😀 The main focus of the meeting is to share updates on brown plant hopper (BPH) and fall army worm (FAW) research across different countries.
• 😀 Nepal is replicating a trial with BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) for FAW and BPH despite previous inefficacy, with the rice season starting in a month.
• 😀 Nepal is also working with entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) to control BPH and is conducting trials on BPH resistance with successful lab tests on isolates.
• 😀 Nepal is establishing a new molecular diagnostic lab that will enhance their research capabilities, though they missed a training in Sri Lanka due to local issues.
• 😀 Indonesia hasn't yet started the maize growing season, but there have been reports of increased BPH populations in several areas in Java.
• 😀 Bangladesh is currently conducting laboratory experiments on BPH and testing biological control agents and insecticides. They’ve found FAW larvae feeding on crops like cabbage, potato, and ginger.
• 😀 Australia faces significant damage from FAW, especially on solanum crops, which are a high-value export product. This issue is impacting local farmers.
• 😀 The CSIRO team in Australia is working on population dynamics of FAW and BPH, analyzing genomic data from samples across multiple countries.
• 😀 A recent paper published in *Science Advances* discusses the genomic history and migration of BPH, with contributions from Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Asia.
• 😀 A detailed action plan was discussed, highlighting the need for researchers to commit resources and expertise to maintain laboratory colonies for testing BPH resistance and conducting bioassays.

Q & A

What is the focus of the updates shared in this meeting?

The updates focus on pest management initiatives, specifically the fall army worm (FAW) and brown plant hopper (BPH), as well as biological control trials, molecular diagnostics, and lab developments in various countries.

Which countries provided updates on their pest management research?

The countries providing updates include Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

What new development is Nepal working on in terms of pest management?

Nepal is establishing a new molecular diagnostic laboratory and is working on replicating trials for biological control agents like BT proteins for fall army worm and BPH management.

What specific challenge did Nepal face with BT proteins in pest control?

Nepal found BT proteins ineffective in controlling pests during the previous year, but they are replicating the trial this year to see if the results improve.

What progress has been made in Cambodia's pest management program?

Cambodia has started collecting parasitoid samples and is focused on laboratory experiments for BPH and FAW management, although the field experiments are still in the planning stages.

What is the main goal for countries choosing option two in the action plan?

Countries selecting option two aim to establish laboratory colonies large enough for testing biological control agents and ensuring consistent results through controlled experiments.

What issue was raised about the effectiveness of BT proteins in pest management trials?

It was noted that if a product containing a mixture of BT proteins is tested, it is difficult to determine which specific BT protein is effective, which complicates the understanding of its success or failure.

What steps are being taken to understand pest populations better?

There is ongoing work on population dynamics, with researchers sequencing samples from various countries to analyze pest populations and potentially conduct a global study on their genomic history and migration patterns.

What challenges are faced in molecular diagnostics for pest management?

One challenge is ensuring that laboratory facilities have the necessary equipment, including PCR machines and primers, for DNA extraction and sequencing, which some countries are still working on.

What significant paper related to pest genomics was mentioned in the meeting?

A paper titled 'The genomic history and global migration of a windborne pest' was published in *Science Advances*, focusing on the brown plant hopper and involving a large international team from Southeast Asia and beyond.