Over the last ten years at least ten new pests have visited our shores, causing some panic in the Agriculture industry generally and more specifically ornamental horticulture. The Pink Mealy Bug (Maconellicoccus hirsutus), the Giant African Snail (Achatina fulica) and the Sago Palm Scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui) are among the most important of the recent introductions. This paper reviews pest, disease and other problems affecting the Zingiberales and ways that these problems may be minimised in the island of Barbados.

Jeff Chandler joins us from Andromeda Gardens in Barbados.

Mr. Chandler is presently employed as a Senior Laboratory Technician (Graduate)- in the Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences. His responsibilities include liaising (advisory level) with those responsible for the running of the Biological Park at the campus and providing consultation on horticultural matters as they relate to specific courses. He works closely with the Chair in Tropical Horticulture as Research Assistant. He was the coordinator of the Small Farmers Training Courses in AAgricultural Technology@ and AIntroduction to Tropical Floriculture@ for the National Development Foundation of Barbados (NDF) as well as lecturer in the regional course on ATropical Floriculture Production for Export@ presented by the Continuing Programme in Agriculture Technology (CEPAT), Faculty of Agriculture, University of the West Indies. Mr. Chandler has completed a M.Phil (Biology) thesis entitled AVariation in seed progeny of Heliconia psittacorum L.f.@ Mr. Chandler has served on the Advisory Committee for Andromeda Botanic Gardens. This committee was set up by the Barbados National Trust, the present owner of the garden to assist in the Garden's development during the transition from a private garden to an internationally reknown Botanic Garden. He is responsible for advice on Zingiberales, in particular heliconias and gingers.