Diseases of crops in the Maldives

The Maldives represents a typical atoll environment. For many years, the isolation of the islands has ensured that plant disease incidence was minimal. However, a recent increase in agricultural activities and tourist resort development has led to a substantial rise in the import of plant material which has not been checked by an adequate quarantine facility. Consequently, plant disease incidence in the country is increasing. Surveys have identified the major plant diseases affecting agricultural crops in the Maldives and the implementation of a quarantine service to minimise further introduction of plant disease is recommended. Australasian Plant Pathology 29(3) 184 - 189 Full text doi:10.1071/AP00032 © CSIRO 2000