Sunn Pest Management. A Decade of Progress 1994-2004

Abstract

Scientists from 23 countries in CWANA and Eastern Europe (where wheat and barley crops suffer Sunn Pest infestation) met at ICARDA headquarters on 19-22 July 2004 for the Second International Conference on Sunn Pest on the theme ‘Enhancing International Cereal Production Capacity for Food Security’. The conference was coorganized by ICARDA, the University of Vermont and the Arab Society for Plant Protection.

Research findings presented and discussed during the conference highlighted various technical possibilities of IPM: safeguarding the complex of natural enemies, use of insect-killing fungi, host plant resistance, cultural practices, and selective use of pesticides. IPM will reduce production costs, benefit national economies and significantly reduce environmental pollution and health hazards.

While very encouraging progress has been made in research, several priority issues were identified to further enhance the field implementation of effective, sustainable and environmentally sound IPM strategies. Significant investment in both research and onfarm field activities must be made through regional approaches and international collaboration. Because insects do not recognize country borders, a regional strategy is critical, if we are to reduce the negative impact of Sunn Pest on food security. The ultimate goal is to maintain Sunn Pest populations at low levels using an integrated approach in a well coordinated regional program.