Erythrophleum fordii has been prioritized for use in sawtimber production and forest restoration programs with native tree species in Vietnam. However, the shoot borer Cryptophlebia ombrodelta (Lower, 1898) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is becoming a serious pest in E. fordii plantations. This study evaluated the potency of biological agents to control C. ombrodelta in laboratory and field experiments. Eight biological control agents (BCAs) were prescreened in a laboratory trial and the five most effective BCAs were evaluated in a one-year-old plantation. Spraying foliage with Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki + granulosis virus or nuclear polyhedrosis virus at concentrations of 4 g/l and 4 ml/l, respectively, reduced damage from C. ombrodelta by over 70% compared to the water control. The findings can guide further research on the timing and frequency of applications of BCAs necessary to manage the pest in young stands of E. fordii.
The development of natural insecticides is essential to minimize the adverse effects of synthetic plant protection products on the environment, human health, and non-target organisms. Natural bioactive compounds are considered safe, biodegradable, and often more selective, making them promising alternatives for sustainable pest management. Controlling insect pests in stored food products remains challenging due to restrictions on the use of chemical insecticides, which can leave harmful residues. Therefore, identification of plant-derived antifeedants is a viable solution. This study aimed to evaluate the antifeedant activity of methanolic leaf extracts from the invasive giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea Aiton) against the grain weevil (Sitophilus granarius L.), a major storage pest. The chemical composition of the extracts was analyzed by LC-MS/MS, which identified 12 compounds. Chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and rutin were found at the highest concentrations, while citric acid, gallic acid, and kaempferol-3-rutinoside were present at the lowest concentrations. Antifeedant activity was assessed using the "wheat wafer test" at three extract concentrations (3.5, 5.0, and 12.0 mg⋅mL-1) dissolved in ethanol. The extracts demonstrated medium to good antifeedant activity against female grain weevils and weak to medium effects against males. A significant reduction in feeding was observed in most cases, depending on both the sex of the insect and the extract concentration. Methanolic leaf extracts of S. gigantea exhibited promising antifeedant properties and may serve as potential natural insect deterrents. Further studies are required to evaluate their efficacy, safety, and mode of action under storage and field conditions.
The present study was designed to check the ability of cyanogenic antagonistic bacterial endophytes to produce volatile organic compounds and enhance growth of sunflower under Sclerotinia sclerotiorum stress. Forty endophytic bacteria were isolated and screened for antagonism against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Out of 40 endophytes, two isolates SEB1 and SEB21 exhibited fungal growth inhibition of 30.0 and 36.6%, respectively, in dual plate assay and 78.7 and 82%, respectively, in liquid media. Scanning electron microscopy showed rupturing, breakage and shrinkage of the fungal hyphae in the presence of the antagonistic bacterial strains. In addition, the bacterial strains also exhibited phosphate solubilization, and production of hydrogen cyanide, siderophores, auxins, ammonia, lipase and cellulases. The isolates were identified as Sphingobacterium solani SEB1 and Pseudomonas sp. SEB21 by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. GCMS analysis confirmed the presence of dimethyl-sulfone, phenol, 3-hexadecene, 2,4-ditertbutylphenol, 1-docosene, 1-octadecene, 2,4-dimethylphenylimino-4-nitrophenyl, nonylcyclopropane 1-nonadecene, octacosane, n-octadecanol, isopropyl myristate, 3-hexadecene, 7,9-di-tert-butyl-1-oxosiro-4,5-deca-6,9-diene, 3,5-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl)-phenol, isopropyl myristate, 7,9-ditert-butyl-1-oxospiro (4,5) deca-6,9-diene-2,8-dione, 1-tricosene and octacosanol as major volatile organic compounds produced by the bacterial strains. SEM analysis showed colonization of plant tissues by both the bacterial strains validating their endophytic nature. The bacterial treatments showed disease control up to 88.9% and significantly improved vigor index, plant growth, total phenol and chlorophyll content over the uninoculated control in sunflower grown under greenhouse conditions. The treatment SsSEB1+PspSEB21 in the presence of the fungal pathogen showed 1.41%, 0.47% and 6.8% N, P and K content in plants, respectively, which was the highest among all the treatments. Further field-level evaluations are recommended to validate the effectiveness of Sphingobacterium solani SEB1 and Pseudomonas sp. SEB21 as biological control agents. Sphingobacterium solani as a biocontrol agent and a plant growth-promoting endophyte is reported here for the first time.
Root rot caused by soil-borne fungi severely limits the productivity of colored sweet pepper in Saudi Arabia, challenging the sustainability of intensive greenhouse systems. This study assessed whether mixtures of microbial antagonists, with or without an antioxidant formulation, provided superior suppression of root rot and improvement of fruit quality compared to single applications. Greenhouse and commercial greenhouse experiments evaluated single strains of Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas fluorescens, their pairwise mixtures, and their combinations with a potassium tartrate-based antioxidant over two consecutive growing seasons. All biocontrol combinations significantly reduced disease incidence relative to the untreated control and increased marketable yield. The T. harzianum + B. subtilis mixture provided the greatest disease suppression and highest fruit yield, followed by T. harzianum + P. fluorescens. When B. subtilis was combined with an antioxidant, it produced the strongest reductions in root rot incidence. Treatments most effectively suppressing disease also enhanced total phenolic content, total soluble solids (TSS), and vitamin C (V.C.) concentration in fruits, which correlated positively with improved disease resistance and yield. These findings demonstrated that integrating compatible biocontrol agents, particularly Bacillus subtilis, with antioxidants can offer a promising and environmentally sound strategy for managing pepper root rot while simultaneously improving fruit nutritional quality in greenhouse production systems in Saudi Arabia.
Ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytinae and Platypodinae) represent a significant threat to tropical agroecosystems, yet their spatial ecology in Indonesian avocado orchards remains poorly understood. This study presents the first spatially explicit assessment of ambrosia beetle infestation patterns in East Java, integrating field surveys with geostatistical analyses. Using RStudio and spatial tools including kernel density estimation (KDE), density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) clustering, and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics, this research was aimed to distinguish spatial clusters, evaluate environmental correlates such as sunlight exposure, infestation holes vertical level position based on tree trunk, and recognize tree trunk diameter-related preferences in colonization of the ambrosia beetles. Results revealed strong spatial aggregation of beetle attacks, with significantly higher infestation intensity observed in trees exposed to prolonged sunlight, infestation holes located in upper trunk positions, and possessing larger tree trunk diameters. Global Moran’s I and LISA statistics confirmed significant clustering, validating the influence of orchard microheterogeneity on beetle colonization. These findings underscore the importance of integrating spatial analysis into pest management strategies and offer a replicable framework for monitoring cryptic pests in other tropical cropping systems.
RNA interference (RNAi) represents a species-specific and environmentally sustainable strategy for the control of hemipteran pests, including aphids, whiteflies, psyllids, and stinkbugs. This review integrates current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of RNAi in insects and its translational applications in crop protection, with particular focus on host-induced gene silencing (HIGS, transgenic expression of dsRNA in planta) and spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS). The biological effects of gene knockdown – such as reduced survival, impaired development, and disrupted feeding – are discussed alongside physiological, genetic, and epigenetic factors limiting RNAi efficacy in Hemiptera. Key challenges include dsRNA degradation in the digestive tract, inefficient cellular uptake, and limited systemic spread. Recent innovations – including nanocarrier-based delivery, biodegradable formulations, and transplastomic expression – are critically evaluated. Similarly, advances in target gene identification using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, as well as risk assessment tools for minimizing non-target effects, support the rational design of RNAi-based biopesticides. As RNAi technologies advance, their incorporation into integrated pest management strategies may facilitate species-specific, residue-free control of hemipteran pests while supporting the conservation of agroecosystem biodiversity.
Fungi of the genus Trichoderma are widely marketed as biocontrol agents against plant pathogens. However, some Trichoderma species may produce toxic secondary metabolites, underscoring the need for comprehensive safety assessments to ensure their ecological safety. In this study, the antifungal activities of volatile secondary metabolites (VSMs) and non-volatile secondary metabolites (nVSMs) produced by six Trichoderma asperellum strains (TaSrBh, TaSrYa, TaSrBu, TaSrUm, TaSrGa, and TaSrCh) were evaluated against the chickpea wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri. Bioassays of VSMs and nVSMs revealed that TaSrGa and TaSrYa exhibited the strongest antifungal activity. The ethyl acetate extract of the TaSrYa strain showed excellent growth inhibition (60–100%) of F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri, prompting further investigation into its metabolic profile. To identify potential fungicidal compounds, spectroscopic analyses were performed on the ethyl acetate extract of TaSrYa. The predominant compounds identified included 9-octadecenoic acid (26.32%), dehydroacetic acid (25.71%), 9-undecenal 2,10-dimethyl (11.31%), 7,10-octadecadienoic acid (8.62%), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (Z,Z,Z) (6.18%), and cis-Z-α-bisabolene epoxide (4.96%), which are likely responsible for inhibiting pathogen growth. Additionally, two-dimensional gas chromatography and spectroscopic analyses of volatiles from TaSrGa identified 67 VSMs, categorized as alcohols, alkanes, esters, acids, and terpenes. The examined T. asperellum strains demonstrated strong antagonistic effects against the pathogen responsible for chickpea wilt, suggesting that these biocontrol agents could be used in the formulation of natural fungicides, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fungicides.
Scurfy pea (Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik.) plants exhibiting symptoms of phyllody and witches’ broom indicative of phytoplasma infection were observed in the research field of ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station, Pune (Maharashtra, India). Phytoplasma presence in all symptomatic samples was confirmed through PCR and nested PCR assay using phytoplasma-specific primer pairs P1/P7 and R16F2n/R2. BLASTn analysis revealed that the amplicon sequence shares more than 99% identity with known strains of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii’ sequences. Phylogenetic analysis further clustered the sequence of the phytoplasma strain within the ‘Ca. Phytoplasma’ species while virtual RFLP analysis assigned it to the 16SrVI-D subgroup. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first worldwide report of 16SrVI-D phytoplasma associated with phyllody and witches’ broom in C. corylifolium.
Honeybees, which serve as vital pollinators, are often exposed to agrochemicals as non-target organisms. Among these substances, the widely used insecticide acetamiprid is of particular concern, as it is frequently detected in bee products. Honeybees are also routinely subjected to multiple stressors simultaneously, including pesticide exposure and heat stress—the latter becoming increasingly problematic under ongoing climate change. Nutrition adds an additional layer of complexity to honeybee resilience, shaping how individuals respond to these concurrent stressors. In this study, the survival of nurse and forager honeybees was evaluated under two abiotic stressors—acetamiprid exposure at a residue level (52.78 µg kg⁻¹) and short-term heat stress (45°C for 2.5 h)—while providing bees with different dietary treatments: three types of honey and three commercial protein diets. Mortality of nurse bees was significantly higher in all acetamiprid-exposed groups than in the pesticide-free control, with honey-based diets providing better protection than protein-based diets. Regarding forager bees, mortality differed significantly between treatments, with buckwheat honey showing the lowest rates compared to protein diets and sugar candy. Age was a determining factor, as foragers exhibited higher mortality and lower consumption than nurses across treatments. Honey—particularly buckwheat —provided the most favorable outcomes, combining high consumption with reduced mortality under the study conditions. This study advances understanding of how nutrition can mitigate the impacts of multiple stressors on honey bees.
This study examined the distribution of the desert snail Eremina desertorum (Forsk & aring;l, 1775), a mollusk of economic importance, in arid desert environments. By exploring its ecological relationship with the plant species Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl. and Zygophyllum album L.f. in Egypt, the research highlighted the correlation between these plants and the snail's habitat preferences. Over the course of a year (from March 2021 to March 2022), 40 field visits were conducted across various locations along Egypt's Mediterranean coast, encompassing all seasons. It was observed that E. desertorum tended to aggregate on T. hirsuta and Z. album, rather than on other wild plant species. Thus, the study aimed to predict the spatial distribution of E. desertorum by analyzing its relationship with these associated plants in Egypt, and the effect of prevailing climatic factors on its distribution, particularly seasonal precipitation and relative temperature. Spatial analyses over a decade (2012-2021) indicated that most E. desertorum populations were concentrated around the Nile and Upper Nile Deltaic regions, where Z. album was more prevalent than T. hirsuta. In contrast, T. hirsuta was predominantly recorded in the upper parts of Egypt, near the Mediterranean coast. Findings demonstrated a strong link between regions with higher precipitation and the presence of E. desertorum and its associated plants from the Zygophyllaceae (Z. album) and Thymelaeaceae (T. hirsuta) families. Furthermore, the snail showed a preference for plants known for higher water retention, which likely aids its survival in arid, water-scarce environments. These findings offer a useful framework for predicting the distribution of E. desertorum in relation to key plant associations and climatic conditions in arid environments. While the spatial data were based on previously recorded location coordinates, further studies focusing on population dynamics and broader plant comparisons could enrich the understanding of habitat preferences under shifting climate patterns.
Considering the importance of sustainable pest control, this study evaluated the insecticidal and antifeedant properties of medicinal plants from arid regions against Tribolium castaneum. The methodology involved extracting bioactive compounds from four selected plant species: Atriplex halimus L. (saltbush), Sonchus oleraceus L. (sowthistle), Lavandula multifida L. (fernleaf lavender) and Globularia alypum L. (globe daisy), and conducting antifeedant and insecticidal bioassays, along with phytochemical screening tests, to assess their effects on adult beetles. The primary findings indicated that Lavandula multifida and Sonchus oleraceus manifested notable insecticidal activity, underscoring their promise as efficacious natural pest management agents, despite their modest antifeedant activities. No-tably, Atriplex halimus demonstrated remarkable antifeedant activity, achieving a 31.37% effect, though its insecticidal activity was somewhat modest. Globularia alypum showed minimal insecticidal and antifeedant activity. However, the utilization of Lavandula multifida as a bioinsecticide may be limited by the plant's small size, which necessitates the production of a considerable quantity of plant material to produce a sufficient extract. Phytochemical analysis indicated that these plants are rich in bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, terpenoids, and tannins. The observed differences between insecticidal and antifeedant activities suggest the presence of different underlying mechanisms. This study underscores the potential of these plant extracts as environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides and lays the groundwork for future research into their role in sustainable pest management strategies.
Alternaria alternata causes black spots in a variety of fruits and vegetables. There are major post-harvest losses due to a hidden fungus that develops when fruits are kept in the low temperature and appears during the fruit marketing season. This study investigated how A. alternata develops resistance to fungicides and how growth rates are affected by various growth media. According to the results, the resistant strain grew more slowly in the EC100 medium than in the control media, which showed significant differences in radial growth across media. On the other hand, the wild strain in resistant media (WS-RM) showed less development, whereas the resistant strain in wild media (RS-WM) showed more growth. Wild strains multiplied, whereas resistant strains showed decreased mycelial growth. Biochemical assays revealed significant variations between resistant and wild strains. These distinctions are highlighted by the linear correlation (R2 = 99.38%) between protein concentrations and absorbance variation. The wild strains' control protein ratio (CPr) was 0.192, whereas the resistant strains were 0.187. The mean values of MDA (360.89 nmol & centerdot; mg-1 protein), CAT (35.54 U & centerdot; ml-1 protein), SOD (179.60 U & centerdot; ml-1 protein), and tyrosinase (52.18 U & centerdot; ml-1 protein) in resistant strains were significantly higher than those in wild strains (MDA: 179.19, CAT: 11.91, SOD: 161.36, tyrosinase: 23.90). Standard deviations for all enzymes were more significant in resistant strain, indicating increased variability. According to the pathogenicity test conducted on Populus nigra leaves, the resistant strain's enzymatic reactions were demonstrated by the CK leaves' continued health, the RS plants' negligible symptoms, and the WS leaves' severe necrosis. These results highlight the necessity of further investigation into the molecular pathways underpinning interactions between plants and pathogens to create focused defense strategies. Improving crop tolerance to fungus infections and environmental stressors may result in more efficient treatments, lower agricultural losses, and forest protection.
The political conclusion of the EU–Mercosur Partnership Agreement in December 2024marks a significant shift in global agri-food trade and raises fundamental questions onregulatory coherence in plant protection. This study provides a comprehensive comparativeassessment of crop protection systems in soybean (Glycine max L.) production betweenthe European Union (represented by Poland) and Mercosur countries. Soybean wasselected due to its strategic importance in global feed supply chains, the EU’s structuralimport dependence, and the crop’s high reliance on chemical and biological plant protectionproducts (PPPs). The analysis reveals pronounced asymmetries in the availability ofauthorizedactive substances. Mercosur producers have access to 96 herbicide active substancescompared to 16 in Poland (ratio 6 : 1); 96 chemical fungicide active substancescompared to 5 (19 : 1); and 94 chemical insecticide active substances compared to only 2(47 : 1). The disparity is particularly striking for biological fungicides, where 104 microbialstrains are registered in Mercosur versus 2 in Poland (52 : 1). Even in biological insecticides,the ratio remains 3 : 1 (9 vs. 3). Approximately 100 active substances used in Mercosursoybean production are not approved in the EU. Pesticide application intensity in Brazil(12.63 kg a.s./ha) is 4.7 times higher than the EU average and over seven times higherthan in Poland. In parallel, Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for selected substances differsubstantially, in extreme cases by up to 200-fold. These quantitative asymmetries translateinto divergent pest management capacity, resistance management flexibility, and productionresilience. While the EU regulatory framework reflects a precautionary approach withprogressive restriction of active substances, Mercosur systems operate with substantiallybroader chemical and biological portfolios enabling diversified and rotation-based controlstrategies. The findings demonstrate that regulatory differences – ranging from 6 : 1 to52 : 1 depending on product category – constitute a structural factor shaping competitiveness,resistance risk, and food safety governance under the evolving EU–Mercosur tradeframework.
Sweet potato production is mainly concentrated in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It is a rustic crop fundamental to the population’s food security. More research needs to be conducted on the crop, especially on the chemical ecology of insects that affect the plant. This review shows the main pests that affect sweet potato production and presents insect pheromones and their efficiency in semi-field and field tests with different releasers. Small farmers use cultural, biological, and chemical methods to reduce insect pest damage. With the advancement of new research, behavioral control is a growing practice, e.g., sex pheromones are used to monitor and control pests. This practice is possible because of studies on the chemical ecology of insects. There is a need to use specific and safe low-cost strategies associated with IPM. This review aimed to present a compilation of the leading pheromone options for controlling insects that affect sweet potato production, in order to assist in decision-making in the study of new pheromones from known pests and a combination of pheromones with other control strategies.
Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens), belonging to the Verbenaceae family, is an aromatic and perennial herb that produces an essential oil rich in the monoterpenes thymol and carvacrol, widely utilized in various industries. Endemic to Mexico, it predominantly thrives in arid and semi-arid regions, typically displaying notable drought tolerance. However, previous studies reveal that irrigation frequency significantly influences biomass production, prompting the need for further improvement in drought tolerance in this species, especially when considering future climate change scenarios. This study employed chemical mutagenesis with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) to create new genetic variants through induced mutations. Seeds of L. graveolens underwent EMS treatment at varying concentrations (0.1 and 0.2%) and exposure times (1, 3 and 6 hours), and then aseptically germinated on MS medium. Nodal segments from resulting seedlings were used as explants for multiple shoot proliferation using 50 g & centerdot; l-1 of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a selective agent for drought tolerance, where non-mutagenized plants displayed severely inhibited development and necrosis. Twenty-five putative mutants tolerant to osmotic stress were recovered, and some of them showed evident morphological alterations and significant changes in the content of phenols and flavonoids, compounds associated with responses to stress. These results highlight the effectiveness of chemical mutagenesis as a strategy for genetically enhancing drought tolerance in Mexican oregano.
The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) is a major agricultural pest, with increasing resistance to synthetic pesticides thereby, driving the search for natural alternatives. This study evaluated the acaricidal and antioxidant activities of tea tree oil (TTO, Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden and Betch) Cheel), pumpkin seed oil (PSO, Cucurbita pepo L.), and wheat germ oil (WGO, Triticum aestivum L.) against T. urticae. Laboratory trials determined LC50 and LC90 values for adults and eggs. Biochemical effects on mites surviving TTO exposure were assessed by analyzing glutathione S-transferase (GST), acetyl-cholinesterase (AchE), carboxylesterase (CarE), and alpha-esterases activities. Antioxidant activity was evaluated via DPPH and ABTS assays. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 24 compounds in TTO, with 4-terpineol (36.65%) and gamma-terpinene (17.66%) as major components. TTO showed the highest acaricidal activity (LC50 of 0.3% for adults and 1.8% for eggs), outperforming PSO and WGO. TTO exposure significantly disrupted key enzymatic activities, impairing mite survival. Among the oils, TTO exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity. The antioxidant assays revealed that while all three oils demonstrated dose-dependent antioxidant effects, TTO was markedly more effective than PSO and WGO, although less potent than vitamin C and Trolox. Additionally, TTO exposure resulted in significant reductions in detoxification enzyme activity, particularly GST and AchE, highlighting a biochemical mechanism underlying its acaricidal action. The lipophilic properties of TTO likely enhance its penetration through the mite cuticle, increasing its efficacy. These findings support the use of plant-derived oils as ecofriendly alternatives for sustainable pest management and suggest potential for further development into natural pesticide formulations.
Aphids are a strict group of insects that are particularly stimulated by current climate changes. Recent modifications in their life cycles, development, migration dates and geographical ranges are attributed to changes of local climates. Cinara curvipes, a species trophically related mainly to Abies spp., has been observed in Poland since 2015, while Cinara cedri, feeding on Cedrus sp., has been observed since 2022. Their presence is always associated with mass occurrence on host plants. The aim of this study was molecular identification of the species C. cedri and C. curvipes, collected in Poland. Potential pathways of introduction and spread of these species across Europe and the world was discussed. Based on the analysis of two genetic markers (COI and EF1-alpha), haplotype networks illustrating the relationships between populations from different parts of Europe and the world were presented. A contrasting pattern of low intraspecific variation in C. curvipes, but high in C. cedri was demonstrated, which may be associated with the modes of reproduction, mechanisms of dispersal of these two species, as well as introgressive hybridization between C. cedri and aphids belonging to Cinara (Cupressobium). Genetic relationships between mitochondrial haplotypes have shown that these species have reached Poland from western and southern Europe. These species have spread from their natural range mainly through imported plant material. Human activity and climate warming have enabled them to successfully settle.
Angular leaf spot disease, which is caused by the fungus Pseudocercospora griseola, is among the most damaging diseases affecting common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), impacting both yield and grain quality. Because of the environmental risks associated with fungicides and the variability in the virulence of P. griseola isolates, biological control emerges as a promising alternative for managing this disease. This study assessed the biological control potential of Trichoderma asperellum 659-7, PR11, and PR12 against P. gri seola. Additionally, changes in some biochemical parameters were also investigated. The findings revealed that the three tested strains stopped the growth of P. griseola during the confrontation test, achieving 100% inhibition. Furthermore, the cell-free culture filtrates from each T. asperellum strain hindered the mycelial growth and spore germination of P. griseola, with the level of inhibition depending on both the concentration of culture filtrate and the specific strain of T. asperellum. The most significant reduction was noted with T. asperellum PR11, which decreased mycelial growth by 26.33% and spore germination by 27.14% at 25% (v/v). Moreover, treating infected bean leaves with T. asperellum PR11 led to a reduction in disease severity by 11.32 and 22.5% at 14 and 21 days after inoculation, respectively. An increase in chlorophyll content (287.087%), total phenols (43.116%), and flavonoids (72.010%) was also observed when infected leaves were treated with T. asperel lum PR11. These overall results endorse the effectiveness of Trichoderma asperellum PR11 as a biological control agent for managing bean angular leaf spot, offering an alternative and environmentally friendly strategy.
Rice is a major food in India, playing an important role in the agricultural sector. However, various leaf diseases adversely affect rice production by reducing both quality and yield, leading to financial losses for farmers. Detecting these diseases at an early stage through automated methods can facilitate timely intervention and minimize crop damage. To classify diseases of rice, a novel method called ERROA-AlexNet was introduced. This model was designed to identify four categories of diseases such as bacterial leaf blight, rice leaf blast, brown spot, and tungro. The classification process utilized AlexNet, with its weights optimized using the Enhanced Remora Rider Optimization Algorithm (ERROA), a hybrid approach that integrated the Enhanced Remora Optimization Algorithm (EROA) and Rider Optimization Algorithm (ROA). Experimental results, assessed by utilizing a k-fold cross-validation technique, demonstrated that the proposed technique achieved an accuracy of 95.4%, a sensitivity of 94.3%, and a specificity of 98.1%. These results indicate that the ERROA-AlexNet approach outperformed conventional deep learning models such as RSW-Deep RNN, hybrid CNN-SVM and Deep CNN, as cited in the literature. This study focused on the promising features of DL in precision agriculture, providing an efficient and reliable solution for automatic detection of rice leaf diseases.
The American white moth, Hyphantria cunea Drury, is a polyphagous insect pest that feeds on a wide range of fruit and forest trees. In the present study, the potential of the most commonly used biological pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) and the botanical- -derived insecticide neem Achook (R) and their combination on the mortality and physiological disruptions of H. cunea was investigated. The LC30 (1.200 and 13.350 ppm for Bt and neem, respectively), LC50 (3.103 and 31.753 ppm for Bt and neem, respectively), and their combinations were considered in all biochemical assays. The combination of biopesticides showed a synergistic phenomenon in all treatments at different concentrations. To explore the underlying mechanisms, we assessed the main biochemical compounds, including the activity of digestive and detoxifying enzymes of the moth larvae. Significant reductions in the activities of protease, amylase, lipase, alpha-glucosidase, and beta-glucosidase were realized compared to the control (p < 0.05). The activities of detoxifying enzymes, specifically alpha- and beta-esterases, glutathione S-transferase, and phenol oxidase, exhibited significant increases in the treated groups. Conversely, the activity of acetylcholine esterase was found to be decreased across all treatment conditions. The treatments administered resulted in a statistically significant reduction in pupal weight (p < 0.05). The lowest average pupal weight was recorded for the combination of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and neem at their concentration (LC50) of 98.98 mg. This research demonstrated that using Bt and neem had combined synergistic pesticidal effects that can be proposed for integrated pest management of H. cunea.
