The most invasive plant species in the Kingdom have been identified by Weqaa, Saudi Arabia’s National Centre for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases. This is reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

Opuntia cylindrica and tree tobacco are two invasive plant species that the Kingdom is currently trying to stop spreading with a new experiment.

According to the source, researchers are working with specialists from the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International to identify and diagnose invasive plants. They hope to use the identification data to produce a special Weqaa atlas.

In particular, plant health protection is crucial for maintaining crop disease and pest surveillance, following sound agricultural practices, and safeguarding biodiversity and flora from pests by putting in place all feasible administrative, legal, technological, and logistical safeguards.

The aforementioned project is a component of the National Transformation Programme’s Integrated Pest Management scheme, which aims to protect crop productivity by managing exotic species and agricultural pests.

In order to guarantee the health of plants and crops, specifically cultivated plants, and meet the Kingdom’s 2030 goals, the project is being carried out in cooperation with the National Centre for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification.

Photo: iStock