Nathan Sangombe

Research Officer

Plant Protection Research Institute

Harare, Zimbabwe

Researcher

I am jointly working as a lead researcher on biological control of Invasive alien plants and plant pathologist at the Institute.

My organisation

Plant Protection Research Institute (PPRI) falls under the Agricultural Research, Innovation Directorate, Department of Research and Services in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. It conducts research on the biology, ecology and management of insect pests and diseases of crops of agricultural importance in Zimbabwe, with the exception of cotton, tobacco and sugarcane. PPRI also provides advisory services on plant pests (pathogens, insects and nematodes) to the farming community and the public at large. The institute is also mandated to monitor migratory pests, such as armyworms (African migratory and Fall armyworms), quelea birds, locusts (African and Red) and rodents, in order to provide early warning systems and facilitate their management
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About me

I hold a Bsc Honours degree in Agricultural Sciences majoring in Crop Science (Bindura University of Science Education- BUSE) and an Msc in Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture (BUSE). I worked as a Plant health assistant at Plant Quarantine Services Insitute from 2009 to 2022. I have vast knowledge in plant pests and disease management, plant health inspections, good agricultural practices and general crop production aspects. I joined Plant Protection Research Institute in 2022 as a researcher for cereal diseases and other field crops. Have successfully carried out efficacy trials for biopesticides to facilitate their registration in Zimbabwe. In collaboration with Centre for Biological Control (Rhodes University, I have also successfully implemented a biological control program on Water hyacinth using Water hyacinth plant hopper (Megamelus scutellaris) and Salvinia molesta using Cyrtobagous salvinia in selected infested water bodies in Zimbabwe.