Integrated control of thrips in vegetables in eastern Africa - icipe

9.5. Output 5: Technology Transfer & Training program initiated with national partners.
Training on collection, processing and identification of thrips was provided by Prof. Gerald Moritz
immediately after the Project planning meeting. Members from partner institutes, KARI, UMU, KEPHIS,
regional universities like JKUAT, Kenya, Makerere University, Uganda and grower organization like
East African Growers, technicians and students likely to be involved in the project activities were
trained. Subsequently thrips identification software was also provided to organizations such as KARI,
KEPHIS, Kenya and NaCRRI, Uganda. Along with the identification softwares a refresher course on
identification of thrips was also organized in NaCRRI and KARI, Thika.
10. Conclusions for the following Reporting Period
Key pest thrips on various vegetables and regional differences in the diversity of the thrips complex
have been identified and further surveys are on-going. Complete information on the thrips diversity and
abundance in Kenya will be available by June 2008 when the surveys will be completed. Agreements
and work plans have been formalized with partners in Uganda and activities initiated in January 2009.
Representatives of partner institutes, regional universities, quarantine organizations and grower
organizations were trained on taxonomic identification of thrips. Activities pertaining to field ecology
studies, entomopathogens and cultural control of thrips have been initiated with greenhouse and field
experiments. Initial surveys revealed the prevalence of another invasive pest thrips, chilli thrips,
Scirtothrips dorsalis? in the agro-ecosystem especially on chillies and karela. More detailed studies on
the identity, distribution, ecology and extent of damage of this pest will be undertaken. To understand
the seasonal variations and impact of farm management practices on dynamics of pest thrips, identified
small and large scale farm holdings in different regions will be surveyed over seasons for thrips and
their natural enemies. Detailed investigation on the diversity and importance of tospoviruses vectored
by different thrips will also be carried out. Outputs from the survey will be utilized to develop a userfriendly
taxonomic tool for thrips complex in Africa and to identify prospective sites for exploration of
natural enemies for invasive pest thrips in their native centers of origin.
The implementation of the project activities were delayed during the first six months of 2008 due to the
departure of the previous project coordinator from icipe. However this delay in the implementation will
be suitably addressed with the progression of project activities.
11. Publications, Papers and Reports
CD-ROM of presentations and discussions at the 1 st project planning meeting, July 28 th – 29 th , 2008,
icipe, Nairobi, Kenya
CD-ROM of presentations and lectures delivered at the thrips taxonomy training program organized by
Dr. Gerald Moritz, Martin-Luther University, Germany for stakeholders, July 30 th – 31 st , icipe, Nairobi,
Kenya