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RESEARCH DIVISION
CROP PROTECTION and PLANT QUARANTINE UNIT
Historical Perspective
Functions
The Crop Protection and Plant Quarantine Unit provides assistance with the regulations and procedures for control of pests and
diseases in Agricultural production. The assistance provided gives support to National and International programs involving in Crop Improvement, Technology Generation, Technology Adaptation and Transfer,
Surveillance and Quarantine, Environmental Management, and Extension Training Program
The Crop Protection Unit functions in a harmonious coordinated manner in conducting the duties
outlined. The Senior Crop Protection Officer coordinates the activities to facilitate staff in conducting the duties assigned.
The unit conducts activities in the areas of:
1. Plant Quarantine 2. Entomology
3. Plant Pathology 4. Nematology
5. Pesticide Control Board Activities
6. Plant Protection Board Activities
Historical Achievements
The Crop
Protection Unit has improved from simple operations with a few staff members to a Unit with over ten staff members with qualifications from Academic Institutions ranging from Diplomas to B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. These
staff members provide assistance with Research, Diagnostics, Plant Quarantine, Pesticide Control and Extension Educational Programs.
The Unit has always operated as part of the Research and Development program but has received
separate funding and external funding from International Organizations
Future directions
The Crop
Protection Unit aims at continuing to provide good quality assistance to the public and the Agricultural community. The development and use of State of the Art techniques and equipment along with the development of
upgraded or new facilities is a direction which would enhance the capabilities of the Unit.
Identification of funding agencies to facilitate this process is a future aim of the Unit.
The future direction of the Unit aims at providing good quality assistance to the Agricultural and public sector.
PLANT QUARANTINE
Functions
Plant Quarantine
supervisors and Officers of the Crop Protection Unit work together with Customs Officers, Air and Sea Port Officials, Importers, Exporters and Travelers to ensure that the introduction and spread of quarantine pests
and diseases is restricted. The Plant Quarantine Regulations Act is reviewed periodically by the Plant Protection Board, which consists of Quarantine Officers, and Legal representatives.
Plant Quarantine
Officers are available at the Ministry of Agriculture on a daily basis to provide assistance with Inspection and Certification of produce for export. The Officers review applications for import of produce from
Regional and International countries. All produce entering and leaving the country must be certified free of pests land diseases.
The Plant Quarantine Officers visit Air and Sea ports on a daily basis to inspect
commodities entering the country.
Historical Achievements
The scope
of the Quarantine Section has increased through the years from simple Inspections and Certifications to more detailed procedures and recording systems.
Quarantine Officers review International legislation on Plant Health status through computer data base programmes to provide quick response to requests for Import licenses.
Future Directions
The future trend may include use of
computerized programs for allocating Certification for Import and Export of commodities.
ENTOMOLOGY
Functions
The Entomology Section of Crop protection provides assistance by conducting :
 Surveys of Insects
Research on Methods for Control of Insect Pests
Laboratory Analytical Diagnostics to identify Insects found in agricultural production sites.
Extension Training Programs on Collection of Diagnostic Samples and Control of Insect pests.
Historical Achievements
The Entomology program has progressed from use of simple nets for collection of Insects, to the use of sophisticated Insect field traps provided by a FAO project. This has greatly assisted in reducing the spread of
West Indian fruit flies in several locations where traps were placed on a weekly basis. The successful control
of the Pink Mealy Bug using a biological control agent was a highlight of the work conducted by the Unit over the last year.
The Laboratory Diagnostic Services provides quick identification of Insects using Zoom lens Stereomicroscopes.
The Entomology program has developed an excellent collection of several Genera of Insects from locations throughout the country.
Future Directions
The future direction of the Entomology program will involve use of new technologies for conducting research on
Insect control, and use of modern technology for identification of Insect problems .
PLANT PATHOLOGY
Functions
The Plant Pathology Section of the Unit provides assistance by conducting:
Surveys of Fungi, Bacteria and Viruses.
Research on Methods for control of plant pathogenic Fungi, Bacteria and Viruses.
Laboratory Analytical Diagnostics to identify plant pathogenic Fungi, Bacterial and Viruses
Extension Training Programs on Collection of Diagnostic Samples and Control of plant pathogenic Fungi, Bacteria and Viruses.
Historical achievements
The Plant Pathology program has improved from simple "look-see" diagnostics, to the use of modern technology
of isolation of plant pathogens under sterile conditions within a Laminar Flow chamber, and identification of fungal hyphae and spores under compound microscopes.
The Unit has within the last year developed efficient systems for biochemical detection of bacterial colonies of different Genera through staining techniques, and appropriate media.
The Plant Pathology program conducted research which identified varieties of Papaya with tolerance and resistance to bacterial canker caused by (Erwinia sp.).
The Plant Pathology program began work on identification of plant Viruses. The survey of Citrus Tristeza resulted in the observation of biological control of the Brown Citrus Aphid which is the carrier of the virus.
Future directions
The Plant Pathology program aims at providing more assistance with identification of varieties with resistance to
various Fungi, Bacteria and Viruses. The program is also working on detection of natural compounds from plants with properties for controlling Fungi, Bacteria and Viruses.
The program is interested in development of biochemical techniques for identification of biochemical markers for detection of Fungi, Bacteria and Viruses in laboratory diagnostics.
NEMATOLOGY
Functions
The Nematology section of the Unit provides assistance by conducting:
Surveys of Plant Nematodes
Research on Methods for Control of Plant Parasitic Nematodes
Laboratory Analytical Diagnostics to identify Plant Parasitic Nematodes associated with Crop Production Systems
Extension Training Programs on Collection of Samples and Control of Plant Parasitic Nematodes
Historical Achievements
The Nematology program has improved from simple diagnosis of mainly Root-knot nematode problems, through observation of Root-knot galls on roots of plants, to the use of laboratory techniques for nematode
identification. Twelve genera of plant parasitic nematodes have been identified, using the extraction technique of the Baermann pan.
The unit has conducted an Island wide survey to detect the types and population densities of Plant Parasitic Nematodes in the country. Where populations of plant parasitic nematodes are above economic damage
thresholds use of management strategies can be utilized to reduce populations and improve plant root systems and ultimately improve plant growth and yield.
The unit has conducted research to identify varieties of Yam with resistance to the Lesion nematode, and varieties of tomato with resistance to Root-knot nematodes..
Future Directions
The Nematology program aims at providing information on Nematode distribution in the country. The research
focus is on identification of plant varieties with resistance to plant parasitic nematodes. The program aims at utilizing biochemical techniques for quick identification of specific proteins in nematodes, and the
identification of non-plant parasitic nematodes (saprophagous and predaceous nematodes) found in the crop ecosystems.
PESTICIDE CONTROL BOARD ACTIVITIES
Functions
Members of the Crop Protection Unit form part of the Pesticide Control Board. This Board provides the Regulations for Registration of new Pesticides and for Importation of Pesticides. Importers can obtain Pesticide
Registration forms and Pesticide Import License forms from the Crop Protection Unit. These forms are reviewed and processed to assist clientele involved in the Agrochemical Industry.
This Board provides Training Programs on Safe Use of Pesticides in order to maintain Environmental Safety.
Historical directions
The Pesticide Control Board has achieved success in assisting the Agrochemical sector with the Registration and
Licensing of Pesticides. The current system is computerized and all products Registered and licensed are recorded on a Computer Database.
A functional Board operates regular monthly meetings or may call special meetings to review applications and assist with the management of the Agrochemical industry.
The Board provides periodic Training Programs on the safe use of Pesticides using Slide shows and Videos on use of appropriate Agro-chemical Technology
Future Directions
The Pesticide control Board will continue to assist the Producers and Agrochemical agents possibly through use of computer programs for accessing, registration and licensing of products.
PLANT PROTECTION BOARD ACTIVITIES
Functions
Members of the Crop Protection Unit form part of the Plant Protection Board. This Board develops and reviews the Regulations governing the Import and Export of commodities.
Phyto-sanitary Certificates for Export produce and Import licenses for Import of Commodities are provided through Inspection and Certification procedures conducted by Officers of the Crop Protection Unit. These
procedures ensure the Import or Export of only high quality commodities.
Historical Achievements
The Plant Protection Board was developed to provide Regulations governing the Import and Export of
Commodities from several countries. The Board has installed Computerized Programs on the Plant Health status
of several crops. This facilitates quick review of the Import status of crops so that Import licenses can be processed quickly.
Future directions
The Plant Protection Board aims at continuing the periodic review of Import and Export regulations and updating of data bases. A computerized program for processing of applications may be developed.
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