IMPACTS OF RECENTLY EMERGED INVASIVE EXOTIC SPECIES AND MAJOR THREATS TO THE DOMINICAN AGRICULTURE

Nearly 20 new registers, interceptions, and phytosanitary problems are presented that correspond to those reported for the Dominican Republic between 2005 and 2011 under the contribution in diagnostics, identification, and/or mitigation by researchers in plant protection of IDIAF. Several of the detected problems are threatening on longer-term specific crops, such as Huanglongbing in the citrus industry, and Red palm mite and Lethal yellowing in the coconut industry. Other species, although causing economic impacts, have been evaluated and practices for their management are being developed and validated, or are already being practiced. The status of some of the species is still unknown. New registers must first be validated and confirmed by the authorities of the Department of Plant Health of the Ministry of Agriculture