biocontrol Archives

Aflasafe KE01: Biocontrol measure for Aflatoxin

Aflatoxins are a family of secondary toxins produced by certain fungi found on a wide range of commodities, including maize and groundnut. The primary fungi that produce aflatoxins are Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus found in warm and humid regions of the world. Aflatoxin-producing fungi can contaminate crops in the field during harvest and storage,…

Project to develop Aflasafe technology that controls deadly aflatoxin in Uganda launched

Kampala, Uganda – The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the National Agriculture Research Organisation (NARO) will collaborate to finalize the development of Aflasafe—a safe and effective natural product for the integrated management of aflatoxin in the maize, sorghum, and groundnut value chains in Uganda. This is through a four-year project, funded by aBi Development Ltd….

Introducing West Africa’s largest insect collection

Quick facts IITA’s insect collection is based in Benin It is the most extensive insect collection in West Africa It has 366,000 insect species Museum houses both pests and beneficial insects Offers free insect identification services How do you catch all these insects? How do you know they are here? Do you go into the…

Biocontrol reduces Maruca pod borer population by 85%

Scientists based at CGIAR-IITA’s climate change station in Benin are happy with the results of the just-concluded experimental release of wasps. These wasps, which are natural enemies of the Maruca pod borer, were released two years ago to go after the destructive cowpea insect. Results showed an 85% reduction in the population of the pod…

Decade-long trials prove efficacy of Nigeria’s aflatoxin biocontrol product

An IITA-led partnership has honed aflatoxin biocontrol for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for over 15 years. Recently, the team published a landmark journal article reporting a 10-year study on the efficacy of Aflasafe®, a registered biocontrol product for aflatoxin management in Nigeria. This is the longest-running, most extensive study on efficacy of any biocontrol product or management practice…

Biocontrol solutions to “Fusarium wilt of banana” emerge

The banana crop and industry has experienced extreme losses due to an epidemic of Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc). This was described in the recently published article “Biological control agents against Fusarium wilt of banana.” FWB, also known as Panama disease, has plagued countries in Africa, Asia, and Australia. The disease…

Picture of Manuele Tamo , IITA Insect Ecologist, giving his seminar presentation

Biocontrol: The silent revolution to pest control

On 21 September, IITA Insect Ecologist Manuele Tamò gave a seminar presentation at IITA Ibadan Headquarters, to highlight achievements and challenges encountered in combating some of the insect pests that pose a threat to cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) production in Africa.