The Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Service (PQPS) is the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of Zambia mandated to provide services that prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests into the country and facilitate local and international trade through Cap 231 and 233 of the Laws of Zambia. The Plant Pests and Diseases Act Cap 233 of the Laws of Zambia was established to provide for the eradication and prevention of the spread of plant pests in Zambia and for the prevention of the introduction into Zambia of exotic plant pests and diseases as such PQPS had a privilege to conduct a surveillance on tuta absoluta.
Tuta absoluta or tomato leaf miner is a major pest of processed and fresh tomatoes, both in greenhouse and open field crops. It also occurs on eggplants, sweet peppers as well as potatoes and various other cultivated plants and weeds of solanaceae family.
The pest has spread rapidly since its introduction to Europe in 2006 and within just a few years its global status has changed completely, from a South American tomato pest into a major threat to world tomato production. In tomatoes it can attack any plant crop stage and if it’s not managed at all, it can cause up to 100% crop destruction.
Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, Plant Quarantine & Phytosanitary Service, 2016. Tuta Absoluta Surveillance.
