Number IV [April 2025 – the date of publication in “Crop Protection“]
WELCOME TO TWO NEW IAPPS GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS:
DR PAUDEL FOR OCEANIA REGION
Dr. Paudel is a Senior Scientist at AgResearch New Zealand, specializing in applied entomology and insect pest management with a focus on transboundary and invasive pests through enhanced surveillance, biosecurity, and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Originally from Nepal, he holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. from Pennsylvania State University, USA.
Sulav’s experience spans diverse regions, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Nepal, New Zealand, South Pacific Island nations, and the United States, where he has led and contributed to projects involving a wide range of pest species. . Currently, his work emphasizes on biological control and remote surveillance of insect pests in the South Pacific Islands. Sulav is passionate about advancing international development through science and serves as the current
Chair of the Plant Protection in International Development (PPID) group in New Zealand. He also serves as an Associate Editor for the New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Sciences, supporting scholarly advancements in his field.
DR PARK FOR NORTH AMERICA REGION
Dr. Park earned his Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Idaho in 2017. He also holds an M.S. in Agricultural Biology from New Mexico State University (2010) and a B.S. in Agricultural Biology from Chungbuk National University in the Republic of Korea (2007).
He is an assistant professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of California, Riverside, where he focuses on the biological control of invasive pests and weeds. His research includes several key areas: 1) target and agent selection, 2) pre-release risk assessment, 3) mass-rearing and quality assurance, and 4) post-release monitoring. Dr. Park specializes in understanding how insects select hosts based on olfactory and visual cues. He also investigates the topical application of insect hormones to break reproductive diapause for mass-rearing purposes and conducts field-based analyses of volatile profiles.
Ikju has served as an executive member of the International Organisation for Biological Control – Asia Pacific Regional Section (IOBC-APRS) and as the vice academic chair of the Korean Society of Environmental Biology (KoSEB). In addition, he had been appointed as an honorary scientist and advisor in classical biological control of weeds by the Rural Development Administration (RDA). His previous international collaborations include work with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in South Africa and the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) in Delémont, Switzerland.
His research group focuses on mass-rearing biological control agents for invasive plants, such as yellow star thistle and giant reed. They are also evaluating both direct and indirect non-target impacts of a seed-feeding weevil in the context of climate change. Ikju’s long-term vision within IAPPS is to develop an integrated weed management program that aligns with two of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals: SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Sulav and Ikju take over from Trevor Jackson and Ramasamy (Muni) Muniappan, respectively. Over many years, Trevor and Muni have been instrumental to the development of IAPPS, and, on behalf of the Executive Committee of the GB, I would like to express my most sincere thanks to both for their invaluable contribution to the association.
Please join me in welcoming Sulav and Ikju to the IAPPS GB and family!
Prof. E. A. “Short” Heinrichs
IAPPS Secretary General
E-mail: [email protected]
WORKSHOP ON PLANT BIOSECURITY IN THE PACIFIC
On August 15-16, 2024, the New Zealand Plant Protection Society (NZPPS) Annual Meeting in Auckland hosted a pivotal workshop titled “Meeting the Sustainability Challenge to Livelihoods in the Pacific from Pests, Weeds, and Pathogens.” This event was organized by the Plant Protection in International Development (PPID) group, a New Zealand initiative aimed at enhancing collaboration in plant protection, optimizing resources, and avoiding duplicative efforts. With over 60 participants on the first day and 50 on the second, the workshop brought together researchers and experts to tackle the urgent threats posed by pests, pathogens, and climate change on Pacific agriculture.
The workshop opened with a Pacific Whakatau and introductory remarks from the organizers. Visoni Timote from the Pacific Community delivered a compelling keynote address (left picture), emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated biosecurity measures to protect Pacific Island crops. The sessions that followed explored critical plant protection challenges in the region, including the impact of climate change on pest populations and case studies on managing coconut rhinoceros beetles and taro leaf blight. The afternoon shifted focus to strategies for combating invasive weeds, showcasing research from the Cook Islands and Fiji. Students from Fiji National University and the University of the South Pacific contributed significantly with presentations, highlighting the valuable work of emerging researchers in the region.
The second day was devoted to discussions on plant protection priorities in the Pacific, resulting in the development of four collaborative project proposals. These proposals aim to address pest management, biosecurity, market access, and the integration of indigenous knowledge, laying the groundwork for future funding opportunities and enhanced collaboration. One idea that gained momentum during the workshop was the potential creation of a Pacific chapter within NZPPS, which would strengthen ties between New Zealand and the Pacific and provide additional opportunities for researchers in the region.
The workshop also served as an important networking platform. Mereia Fong, a lecturer from Fiji National University, stressed the significance of building networks for both scientists and students. She noted that events like this enable students to gain exposure and learn from experts in countries like New Zealand and Australia. Tanumafili Vao Seuao, a Master’s student from the University of the South Pacific, described the workshop as a valuable learning experience, despite initial nervousness during his presentation.
Dr. Sulav Paudel
IAPPS Coordinator for Oceania
E-mail: [email protected]
The IAPPS Newsletter is published by the International Association for the Plant Protection Sciences and distributed in Crop Protection to members and other subscribers. Crop Protection, published by Elsevier, is the Official Journal of IAPPS.
IAPPS Mission: to provide a global forum for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, integrating, and promoting plant protection concepts, technologies, and policies that are economically, environmentally, and socially acceptable.
It seeks to provide a global umbrella for the plant protection sciences to facilitate and promote the application of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to the world’s crop and forest ecosystems.
Membership Information: IAPPS has four classes of membership (individual, affiliate, associate, and corporate) which are described in the IAPPS Web Site www.plantprotection.org.
The IAPPS Newsletter welcomes news, letters, and other items of interest from individuals and organizations. Address correspondence and information to:
Manuele Tamò
Editor, IAPPS Newsletter
IITA-Benin
08 B.P. 0932 Tri Postal, Cotonou, Republic of Benin
E-mail: [email protected]
