Genomic and transcriptomic analysis unveils population evolution and development of pesticide resistance in fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a destructive pest native to America and has recently become an invasive insect pest in China. Because of its rapid spread and great risks in China, understanding of FAW genetic background and pesticide resistance is urgent and essential to develop effective management strategies. Here, we assembled a chromosome-level genome of a male FAW (SFynMstLFR) and compared re-sequencing results of the populations from America, Africa, and China.

Potato Cyst Nematodes: A New Threat to Potato Production in East Africa.

Potato cyst nematodes (PCN), such as and , are quarantine restricted pests of potato causing major yield and financial losses to farmers. was first reported from Kenya's key potato growing area in 2015. We sought to determine the diversity, prevalence and distribution of PCN species across the country by conducting a country-wide survey between 2016 and 2018, which included a more focused, follow-up assessment in three key potato growing counties.

First Report of Maize chlorotic mottle virus and Maize Lethal Necrosis in Kenya.

In September 2011, a high incidence of a new maize (Zea mays L.) disease was reported at lower elevations (1,900 m asl) in the Longisa division of Bomet County, Southern Rift Valley, Kenya. The disease later spread to the Narok South and North and Naivasha Districts.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid detection of the causal agents of cassava brown streak disease.

The causal agents of cassava brown streak disease have recently been identified as Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV). Primers have been developed for rapid detection of these viruses by reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). Performance of the RT-LAMP assays compared favourably with published RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR methods.

The complete genome sequence of the Tanzanian strain of Cassava brown streak virus and comparison with the Ugandan strain sequence.

The complete genome sequence for an isolate of the Ugandan and Tanzanian strain types of Cassava brown streak virus have been determined using the novel approach of non-directed next generation sequencing. Comparison of the genome sequences revealed that CBSV is highly heterogeneous at the isolate level as well as the strain level. The isolate of the Ugandan strain was found to have a genome 9,070 nucleotides long coding for a polypeptide with 2,902 amino acid residues.