Riyadh:First paragraph of the news story.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plants Pests and Animal Diseases, known as the Weqaa Center, has launched seven reference atlases on plant health as part of a National Transformation Program initiative focused on integrated pest management. This initiative is aimed at enhancing agricultural security and promoting sustainable domestic production.
The atlases provide comprehensive coverage of both endemic and invasive plants and weeds found within agricultural environments. Specific topics include pests affecting field crops, fodder, fruit trees, date palms, stored grain and seeds, and vegetables. Notably, the atlases on endemic and invasive plants and agricultural weeds have been published in both Arabic and English.
Spanning from 2018 to the end of 2025, the atlases are the culmination of extensive research and fieldwork. This project has been dedicated to documenting pest biology, mapping pest distribution across Saudi Arabia's diverse environments, and building a robust national database to aid decision-makers in agricultural quarantine and integrated pest management.
These atlases offer scientific descriptions, illustrations, geographic distribution maps, and control methods, in addition to detailing pest life stages and symptoms of infestation. These resources are expected to play a critical role in improving pest prevention strategies, bolstering agricultural and food security, and sustaining domestic production.