KASET FAIR 2016

 

Pheromone trap demonstrated by Sopana Yule.

WorldVeg DG Marco Wopereis demonstrates he can take the heat !

At Kaset Fair 2016: World Veg staff with Julapark Chunwongse and Janejira Duangjit of KU.

 

Kaset Fair 2016, held from 2-11 December 2016 on the Kasetsart University (KU) Kamphaeng Saen campus in Thailand, attracted more than a million visitors to hundreds of booths and displays showcasing the diversity and innovation of Thai agriculture.

The World Vegetable Center’s East and Southeast Asia / Oceania regional team collaborated with the KU Tropical Vegetable Research Center (TVRC) to set up a colorful and informative exhibit that guided fair visitors through the wonderful world of vegetables. From a lush green canopy of hanging gourds to an “insect hotel” designed to attract natural enemies of pests, the exhibit highlighted the Centers’ many research and development activities in the region and beyond.

The team prepared 3 months in advance to exhibit a diversity of vegetable varieties including tomato, chili pepper, pumpkin, wax gourd, loofah, eggplant, winged bean, yard-long bean, basil and roselle, as well as several nutritious traditional vegetables from Thailand.

WorldVeg’s global cucurbit breeding program based at Kamphaeng Saen, Thailand showcased pumpkin and bitter gourd with improved market suitability and resistance to diseases.

A home garden display featured systems for container and vertical gardening. Visitors learned a valuable method to overcome drought, flood, and disease by using tolerant rootstocks during grafting demonstrations.

WorldVeg integrated pest management (IPM) specialists explained the benefits of natural practices to control insect pests. Visitors were introduced to sex pheromone traps that interfere with mating of common cutworm (Spodoptera litura). Biological controls on display included the use of parasitoids (Phanerotoma syleptae) to control larvae of the legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata). An “Insect Hotel” attracted natural enemies such as predators (wasps, lacewings) and pollinators (bees and bumble bees) to assist in safely controlling pests of vegetable crops.

A rotating globe with countries made of vegetable seeds delighted adults and children alike. Visitors enjoyed having plenty of shady places to sit surrounded by beautiful and informative vegetable displays. The many photos they took at the exhibit will serve as important reminders to grow and eat more vegetables!

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