Stars and STEM Stories
GLOBE's Atmosphere, Land, and Soil Protocols Help Omani Students Study Whitefly Populations
Under the supervision of Dr. Ishaq Al-Jabri, students Najeeb Saif Al Busaidi, Muayyad Nasr Al Habsi, and Ahmed Salem Al Busaidi undertook an investigation to study whitefly populations and how their presence effects local plant life.
This research aimed to study the effect of the whitefly on plants, answering the questions:
- How effective is the whitefly?
- What plants are affected by the whitefly?
- What are the ways to prevent whiteflies?
The goals were based on environmental problems the students live in and face every day, such as:
- Knowing the plants that are infected by the whitefly and the most prevalent diseases caused by them.
- Knowing ways to prevent whiteflies and how to get rid of them using chemical methods that are not harmful to the environment.
Work on the project was according to a precise method and planning structure, beginning with identifying sites where whiteflies are gathering. Supporting GLOBE Protocols, such as the Soil Protocol and Land Cover Protocol were used. The Atmosphere Protocol was also used in examining results.
After the investigations, the students found that differences in humidity and bicarbonate can indicate the appearance of whiteflies, destroying the leaves and then the entire plant. They found that using chemical treatments to eliminate whiteflies on plants worked well without harming the plant. The students' recommendations stressed the importance of protecting the plant and treating the problem, if any, with chemical medication
Additionally, using the correct fertilizer helps the plant thrive, as well as transplanting the plants only at certain times of the year (not between June and September).
Images courtesy Dr. Ishaq Al-Jabri, GLOBE Oman.