A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org>
Date: 24 Mar 2008
Source: Angola Press Agency [edited]
<http://allafrica.com/stories/200803180778.html>
Plague destroys five hectares of plant cultures
Five hectares of maize and bean cultures were destroyed in
Bocoio district, central Benguela province, by a plague still
unknown to technicians of the Agrarian Development Institute
(IDA), thereby affecting the 2nd season of the 2008 agricultural
campaign.
Speaking to ANGOP, the chairperson of the Association of Farmers
and Cattle-Raising Cooperatives (UNACE) in Bocoio, Henrique
Handa, said that the situation is of great concern, because the
plague that began in the 1st fortnight of the current month
[March 2008] has already affected the district headquarters and
Sibol village.
According to the source, the district's population might soon
face a food crisis, due to the destruction of the cultures, 1st
by the drought and now by the pestilence. The 2nd season of the
agricultural campaign in Bocoio district involved 2664 farmers,
organised into 20 associations.
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[From this report it is not possible to speculate on the
diseases or disorders referred to. It appears that the crops are
being destroyed quickly, so perhaps fungal pathogens or even
insect pests may be involved. It is also unclear what type of
'bean' is affected since the term may be used for a number of
different crops. However, maize and beans of any kind are not
related species, and there may be different causes affecting the
2 crops. We would be grateful for any further information on the
problem described.
Maps
Angola:
<http://geology.com/world/angola-map.gif>
and
<http://healthmap.org/promed?v=-12.3,17.5,5>
Angola provinces:
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/angola.gif>
Africa:
<http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/maps/africa.htm>
Links
List of diseases and pathogens of maize:
<http://www.apsnet.org/online/common/names/corn.asp>
Diseases of beans:
<http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/factsheets/Bean_List.htm>
- Mod.DHA]
