Summary:

Pacific Plant Protection Information System (PPPIS) reflects pest survey work in the Pacific and "...is a multimedia collection of plant information maintained in HyperCard format running on Macintosh computers located at various institutions in the Pacific." Contents of the PPPIS database reflect: (1) pest records which feature geographical distribution, biology, control methods, and other relevant information; (2) records of Pacific food plants affected by such pests; (3) data about pesticides currently used in the Pacific; (4) Pacific literature on plant protection, including references to journal publications, articles, reports, and books; (5) information on non-chemical control methods and practices currently used in the Pacific; (6) present publications featuring pest information; (7) a glossary of plant protection terms; and (8) information about institutions and research organizations active in Pacific plant protection.

At the top of the site's main page are links to a slide show on taro blight, a slide show of pest and host images, and a guestbook link. Other areas of interest include a new additions division and a site introduction statement, with a link to content overview of the site. Below these links, the site's contents are reflected in a table, with each category's title being a link to its respective area. In nearly all cases, a category gives access to additional data banks. Users should follow onscreen links to reach desired records. First, the "pests" link offers pest information, focusing on pathogens, insects, weeds, and nematodes. Access to the Pest*Image databank occurs here. The "host plants" area offers information on plants and access to the Cyber*Crop datasheets area. "Country Check" produces a list of pests "...associated with an imported host from a particular country." Pest risk analyses (PRA) can be produced; a link is present for the Global Quarantine Information System. "Pest Lists by Country" offers results based on geography and host.

"References" searches PPPIS and the Pacific Index of Agricultural Journals (PIAJ) Reference databases; access is present to other publications. The "terms" link opens the glossary; "institutions" details organizations with active plant protection programs. "Related links" offers access to other WWW sites in the field. To search for pest information, the user should select "pest" from the main page, then fill in fields within the query page. Results are shown in a table format, reflecting the pests' scientific names, synonyms, common names, and type of organism. Selecting a name from the list opens the complete record, including: (1) image of the pest; (2) host and distribution map links; (3) category type; (4) synonyms; (5) common names; (6) authority (source); (7) biology (structure and reproduction); (8) classification; (9) control; (10) notes; (11) world distribution; (12) moderator; and (13) references.

For viewing plant records, users should select "host plants" from the main page; query fields produce a table of matching records, revealing host names, synonyms, and common names. Selecting one title then reveals the final record: (1) image of the plant; (2) authority; (3) family; (4) common names; (5) synonyms; (6) description; (7) cultivation; (8) varies and variability; (9) major cultivars and breeding; (10) use; (11) production; (12) harvesting and processing; (13) ecology; (14) nutritional information; (150)socio- anthropology; (16) distribution; (17) importance; (18) bibliography; (19) notes; (20) moderator; and (21) references. The site is sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); Rome, Italy; and the South Pacific Commission.

To Search:

Choose link of interest from site's main page. Follow onscreen instructions for searching and accessing information.