The next meeting of the international berry industry, which will be this September 10 en Morocco, on the occasion of the XXXVIII International Seminar on Red Fruits, will have the participation of Douglas Rodriguez, Global Director de Planasa Plant Health, a prestigious global benchmark company in varietal development and berry production.

With a distinguished track record in agriculture, Rodríguez currently leads the company's phytosanitary research and management programs, focusing on innovation and sustainability in the berry industry.

At the meeting, which will be held in the city of Tangier, the specialist will give a talk entitled: “Pest control strategies for red fruits: Scirtothrips dorsalis and Drosophila suzukii", two of the main threats affecting the productivity and quality of berries globally.

Drosophila suzukii in blueberry cultivation

During his presentation, Rodriguez will address the challenges posed by the oriental flower thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis), an invasive pest characterized by its rapid spread and ability to cause severe damage to shoots, leaves and fruits. It will also analyze the impact of the spotted wing fly (Drosophila suzukii), an insect that attacks ripening fruit and whose expansion has put producers in different regions of the world on alert.

Research Gate Photograph – Damage caused by Scirtothrips dorsalis on blueberry plants. a) Oviposition damage, b) Brown spots on the upper surface of leaves, c) Spots and necrotic tissue on buds and shoots, d) Spots and scars on stems, e) Severe damage to leaves, shoots, and stems, f) Spots and necrosis on buds and flowers, g) Scars on fruits.

The expert will highlight integrated control strategies that combine technology, biocontrol agents, early monitoring, and good agricultural practices, emphasizing the need for a preventive and sustainable approach to protecting the sector's competitiveness.

With over two decades of experience involved in agricultural research and the management of innovation projects, Douglas Rodríguez has established himself as one of the leading experts on plant health applied to berries. His presentation at the seminar aims to provide concrete tools for Moroccan producers, technicians, and exporters, as well as visiting foreigners, who face growing demands for quality and sustainability in international markets.

El XXXVIII International Seminar on Red Fruits 2025, In Morocco, it will bring together researchers, companies, and producers from around the world, consolidating its position as a key space for technical exchange and projection for an industry that continues to grow in North Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the entire world.

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Interview about the 2023 World Blueberry Tour in Morocco – Douglas Rodríguez – Ph.D., Plant Pathology, Global Plant Health Director, PLANASA – 2023th International Blueberry Seminar, Morocco XNUMX