Controlling oilseed wrapping: A preventative strategy to protect crops
The National Center for Plant Pest and Animal Disease Prevention and Control (Wiqa’) has launched a comprehensive field strategy to combat the oilseed weed (Sonchus oleraceus) across various regions of Saudi Arabia. This initiative aims to protect local crops, enhance national food security, and mitigate the economic damage that this rapidly spreading plant pest can cause in Saudi fields and farms.
Scientific methods adopted in combating the oilseed curl plant
The “Wiqa’a” Center explained that the control plan relies on two main approaches to ensure maximum effectiveness in eradicating this pest. The first approach is mechanical control, which involves uprooting the plants and deeply tilling the soil before the flowering stage to prevent seed multiplication and dispersal within agricultural fields. The second approach focuses on chemical control through the use of specialized and scientifically recommended herbicides, such as glyphosate, especially during the early seedling stage, to ensure complete eradication of the plant and prevent its negative impact on crop quality and normal growth.
Biological characteristics of the oilseed wrap blight and challenges of its spread
The olive branch, known as the holly plant, is classified as a widespread annual that grows naturally in open environments and neglected agricultural areas. This plant is characterized by its lobed leaves and yellow flowers that form in clusters at the tips of branches. Its danger lies in its exceptional ability to reproduce and spread rapidly; its light seeds are easily dispersed by wind and water, as well as by animals and birds, contributing to its rapid geographical expansion and threatening agricultural biodiversity in various open environments.
The importance of early intervention and its impact on sustainable food security
The efforts of the “Wiqa’a” Center are of paramount importance both locally and regionally, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, within its Vision 2030, seeks to achieve agricultural sustainability and secure food supply chains. Early intervention to curb the spread of plant pests reduces direct economic damage to farmers and preserves the productivity of agricultural lands and the quality of crops destined for local markets and regional export. Although the olive sedge does not pose a direct threat to human health, its competitive impact with economically important crops on water and soil nutrients makes it a real threat to the agricultural system.
Ongoing commitment to field monitoring and protection of plant resources
The National Center for Plant Pest and Animal Disease Prevention and Control continues its pivotal role in implementing global best practices to reduce the spread of pests. The Center emphasized the ongoing efforts of its field inspection teams to conduct thorough inspections and close monitoring across all regions of the Kingdom, ensuring a pest-free agricultural environment that could disrupt agricultural production and quality, thus contributing to supporting the national economy and achieving sustainable self-sufficiency.
