PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 2:05 PM by Luigi

Developing an information system for taro pests

From SPC's Pacific Pest Info Newsletter.

An information and diagnostic package for taro pests in the Pacific is under development after the successful completion of a workshop for SPC staff at SPC Nabua. The workshop was the start-up for a new ACIAR-funded project called “TaroPest: An information and diagnostics package for taro pests of the South Pacific”. It is designed to be an information package that can be used by biosecurity officers, researchers and extension staff to allow them to easily access information they need that is designed appropriately. A preliminary version of the package is planned for completion in six months and SPC is looking forward to road testing the diagnostic system to PICTs. The team will particularly be looking for feedback on how easy it is to use the information system, appropriate design of the components and whether it serves the needs of users. Collaborating partners in the development of this information system include PNG’s National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA) and the Queensland University of Technology. As the technician on this project, SPC has recruited Mr Sarlesh Kumar, who has been with Koronivia Research Station plant protection section since 2000 and has work experience in both pathology and entomology. For more information contact the SPC project leader Dr Jacqui Wright (jacquiw@spc.int).

* Comments:

We are pleased to announce the launch of the first beta-version of TaroPest, an identification and information kit for pests (diseases, insects, nematodes, etc) of taro in the South Pacific. TaroPest is the product of an ACIAR funded project involving the SPC Plant Protection Service, [PNG] National Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Agency, and the Queensland University of Technology.

TaroPest is aiming to be a one-stop-shop for information concerning regional pests of taro, with the target audience being quarantine/biosecurity officers, plant protection workers and field extension officers. While currently web based, TaroPest will eventually be available on CD-Rom, with printable hard-copy options. The product is free to access and use. Please visit TaroPest at http://taropest.sci.qut.edu.au.

# posted by

Anonymous : 7:53 PM



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This weblog documents the activities of Pacific Agricultural Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN), along with other information on plant genetic resources (PGR) in the Pacific. The myriad varieties found within cultivated plants are fundamental to the present and future productivity of agriculture. PAPGREN, which is coordinated by the Land Resources Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), helps Pacific countries and territories to conserve their crop genetic diversity sustainably, with technical assistance from the Bioversity International (BI) and support from NZAID and ACIAR. SPC also hosts the Centre of Pacific Crops and Trees (CEPaCT). The CEPaCT maintains regional in vitro collections of crops important to the Pacific and carries out research on tissue culture technology. The CEPaCT Adviser is Dr Mary Taylor (MaryT@spc.int), the CEPaCT Curator is Ms Valerie Tuia (ValerieT@spc.int). 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Box 14 Nuku'alofa Tonga Tel: (676) 23038 Fax: (676) 24271 Email: thaangana@hotmail.com Mr Frazer Bule Lehi Head of Research Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Private Mail Bag 040 Port Vila Vanuatu Tel: (678) 22525 Fax: (678) 25265 Email: flehi@hotmail.com Other links Other CROP agencies Forum Secretariat University of the South Pacific SPREP Pacific biodiversity Biodiversity hotspots Breadfruit Institute Hawaiian native plants Intellectual property rights Nature Conservancy PBIF PestNet SIDS WWF South Pacific Program Other Pacific organizations Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific Micronesian Seminar Te Puna web directory Pacific news Cafe Pacific CocoNET Wireless Island Directory Pacific Islands News Pacific Islands Report Pacific Islands Travel Pacific Time South Pacific travel Time Pacific Interested in GIS? DIVA-GIS	Thursday, February 03, 2005 Posted 2:05 PM by Luigi Developing an information system for taro pests From SPC's Pacific Pest Info Newsletter. An information and diagnostic package for taro pests in the Pacific is under development after the successful completion of a workshop for SPC staff at SPC Nabua. The workshop was the start-up for a new ACIAR-funded project called “TaroPest: An information and diagnostics package for taro pests of the South Pacific”. It is designed to be an information package that can be used by biosecurity officers, researchers and extension staff to allow them to easily access information they need that is designed appropriately. A preliminary version of the package is planned for completion in six months and SPC is looking forward to road testing the diagnostic system to PICTs. The team will particularly be looking for feedback on how easy it is to use the information system, appropriate design of the components and whether it serves the needs of users. Collaborating partners in the development of this information system include PNG’s National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA) and the Queensland University of Technology. As the technician on this project, SPC has recruited Mr Sarlesh Kumar, who has been with Koronivia Research Station plant protection section since 2000 and has work experience in both pathology and entomology. For more information contact the SPC project leader Dr Jacqui Wright (jacquiw@spc.int). * Comments: We are pleased to announce the launch of the first beta-version of TaroPest, an identification and information kit for pests (diseases, insects, nematodes, etc) of taro in the South Pacific. TaroPest is the product of an ACIAR funded project involving the SPC Plant Protection Service, [PNG] National Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Agency, and the Queensland University of Technology. TaroPest is aiming to be a one-stop-shop for information concerning regional pests of taro, with the target audience being quarantine/biosecurity officers, plant protection workers and field extension officers. While currently web based, TaroPest will eventually be available on CD-Rom, with printable hard-copy options. The product is free to access and use. Please visit TaroPest at http://taropest.sci.qut.edu.au. # posted by Anonymous : 7:53 PM Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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