Blog Details

As part of efforts to enrich the Digit_Crops project database, a series of field missions was conducted in June 2025. These missions aimed to deepen knowledge on vegetable crop pests and diseases and to support the development of decision-support tools (Digit_Crops Apps) for farmers.

🧪 Phytopathological Mission in Yamoussoukro (June 18–21, 2025)
The first mission took place in Yamoussoukro, with the primary objective of identifying major phytosanitary constraints—fungal, bacterial, and viral—affecting key crops such as tomato, eggplant, cabbage, cucumber, chili, and bell pepper.
The mission involved:

• Identifying affected plots,

• Describing visible symptoms on various plant parts,

• Collecting plant samples for laboratory analysis.

Simultaneously, 261 images were taken following strict protocols (multiple angles, natural light, various framing perspectives). Each image was thoroughly documented (crop type, symptoms, environmental conditions, date, and location) to build a usable visual database. GPS coordinates of the plots were also recorded to contribute to the project’s phytosanitary mapping efforts.

🐛 Entomological Survey & Agroecological Monitoring (June 16–25, 2025)
A second mission took place across the project’s three pilot zones—Abidjan (Songon), Yamoussoukro, and Korhogo—with dual objectives:

1. Entomological survey

2. Monitoring experimental agroecological systems

Activities included:

• Visiting partner plots,

• Manually collecting harmful insects,

• Documenting visible crop damage (notably on tomato, cabbage, and eggplant),

• Preserving specimens in alcohol for laboratory identification.

In total, 79 sites were surveyed, and over 200 biological samples (insects, leaves, stems) were collected. A visual catalog of crop pests is currently being developed based on 275 collected images.

🦠 Disease Characterization and Pathogen Identification
A detailed characterization of fungal, bacterial, viral, and nematode-related diseases was launched in Yamoussoukro and Songon, and is ongoing in Korhogo.
So far:

• 12 producers were engaged,

• 21 plots were sampled,

• Collected samples include:

  • 84 suspected viral samples,

  • 43 fungal samples,

  • 10 bacterial samples,

  • 23 nematode samples.

Pathogens targeted for identification include Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Xanthomonas, and TSWV, among others. The goal is to provide accurate diagnoses to guide effective, targeted, and sustainable control strategies.

📚 Development of an Integrated Pest and Disease Recognition Catalogue
All collected data are being used to build an integrated visual recognition catalog for vegetable crop pests and diseases, structured into two sections:

1. Entomological Section

   • Over 123 insect specimens collected, currently undergoing morphological identification.

   • Each entry will include:

     • Scientific name,

     • Affected crops,

     • Developmental stages,

     • Ecological status (pest or beneficial),

     • Field-sourced illustrations.

2. Phytopathological Section

   • Each disease will have a dedicated sheet featuring:

     • Host plants,

     • Typical symptoms (spots, wilting, necrosis, stunting, deformities),

     • Susceptible growth stages,

     • Identified pathogens.

🎯 Final Goal
This catalog is designed to serve as a practical, educational field tool to:

• Enable quick and accurate diagnosis,

• Support informed decision-making,

• Assist farmers, agricultural technicians, and trainers in day-to-day pest and disease management.