Detection and identification of Bogia coconut syndrome phytoplasma from seed-associated tissues and seedlings of coconut (Cocos nucifera) and betel nut (Areca catechu).

Evidence for seed transmission of phytoplasmas has grown in several pathosystems including coconut (Cocos nucifera). Bogia coconut syndrome (BCS) is a disease associated with the lethal yellowing syndrome associated with the presence of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma noviguineense' that affects coconut, betel nut (Areca catechu) and bananas (Musa spp.) in Papua New Guinea.

Complex multiple introductions drive fall armyworm invasions into Asia and Australia.

The fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda is thought to have undergone a rapid 'west-to-east' spread since 2016 when it was first identified in western Africa. Between 2018 and 2020, it was recorded from South Asia (SA), Southeast Asia (SEA), East Asia (EA), and Pacific/Australia (PA). Population genomic analyses enabled the understanding of pathways, population sources, and gene flow in this notorious agricultural pest species.

Resistance Bioassays and Allele Characterization Inform Analysis of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Introduction Pathways in Asia and Australia.

The fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is present in over 70 countries in Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Its rapid dispersal since 2016 when it was first reported in western Africa, and associated devastation to agricultural productivity, highlight the challenges posed by this pest. Currently, its management largely relies on insecticide sprays and transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis toxins, therefore understanding their responses to these agents and characteristics of any resistance genes enables adaptive strategies.

Planthopper Transmission of Ramu Stunt Virus, a Tenuivirus Causing the Sugarcane Disease Ramu Stunt, and its Distribution in Papua New Guinea.

Ramu stunt is a serious disease of sugarcane, currently only reported from Papua New Guinea. It is found in both commercial sugarcane grown on the Ramu Agri Industries Limited (RAIL) estate and in chewing canes ( L.) grown in village gardens.

Detection by next generation sequencing of a multi-segmented viral genome from sugarcane associated with Ramu stunt disease.

Ramu stunt disease of sugarcane was first reported in Papua New Guinea in the mid 1980s. The disease can reduce sugarcane yields significantly and causes severe stunting and mortality in highly susceptible cultivars. The causal agent of Ramu stunt has been investigated but its characterization has not been completed.