Plant Diseases and Pests

The AREA Plant Pathology program seeks to improve the capacity of the Rural Sustainable Development Center (or CRDD) at Bas-Boën in Croix-des-Bouquets to operate  a functional plant disease diagnosis laboratory. This has been accomplished through staff training, improvements to the plant pathology lab area, the creation of an isolation room and the support of a lab technician.

AREA is also surveying crops for plant diseases and identifying disease-causing organisms. As part of this effort, AREA is working to help identify the causal agent of a new toppling disease that has affected banana plants in Haiti and determine its distribution. AREA expects this research will lead to recommendations on methods to control the disease. Additionally, we are providing general training in plant diagnostics, plant disease management and risk assessment for Haitian agricultural professionals at Haiti’s Ministry of Agriculture and universities.

Haitian labs receive equipment, training to fight diseases and pests in crops

We provided modern laboratory equipment and training at two of Haiti’s chief plant pathology clinics: the Rural Sustainable Development Center (CRDD) at Bas-Boën in Croix-des-Bouquets and the Haitian government’s plant pathology lab. 

Workshops and resources

R-programming for research, June 11-12, 2018 and Sept. 2-5, 2019

AREA held in-depth trainings on the R programming language for agricultural research, including plant pathology, led by AREA team members Drs. Karen Garrett,  Joubert Fayette and Caroline Staub. UF researchers help Haiti address climate-related risks. 

Download the presentations and other training materials.