Pear scab, caused by the fungus Venturia pyrina, reduces fruit quality and yield. In the High Valley of R & iacute;o Negro, a vital fruit-growing region in northern Argentine Patagonia, outbreaks are sporadic, but also severe under favorable conditions. Yet, the biology of local strains is not well known. Thus, this study examined 20 local isolates by using genetic fingerprinting, morphology, and growth analyses. Isolates exhibited wide morphological diversity, significant differences in growth rate and thermal response, with optimal growth at 20 degrees C, and high genetic variability. Germination increased at 20 degrees C after 12 h of incubation. In contrast, conidial viability was highest at 4 degrees C and decreased with incubation time, indicating possible adaptation to the cool spring and arid climate of the region. Multivariate analysis further revealed continuous phenotypic variation and a significant association between the genetic family and phenological stage of the host. For the first time, an integrated approach was used for V. pyrina under the climatic conditions the High Valley of R & iacute;o Negro. These findings are consistent with the biological regional adaptation of V. pyrina populations in this valley and suggest a potential role for conidia in this region.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers a promising alternative to conventional pesticide use; however, its adoption remains limited. This study focuses on seven IPM practices and identifies factors influencing adoption among IPM-farmer field schools (FFS) farmers, using an explanatory sequential approach. We interviewed 109 IPM-FFS farmers and used probit regression to identify influencing factors. It was subsequently followed by qualitative insights from four key informant interviews and six focus group discussions. Results showed that 35% of FFS farmers had adopted none of the seven IPM practices. Farm income (p < 0.01), household food sufficiency (p < 0.05), IPM knowledge (p < 0.05), and perceived IPM benefits (p < 0.01) tend to increase the adoption of IPM practices, whereas crop diversification tends to decrease their adoption (p < 0.05). Qualitative insights observed higher level of awareness of IPM practices among FFS farmers, however, a persistent ethnic and gender disparities existed in access to IPM-FFS training. IPM benefits were uniformly perceived across all social groups. FFS farmers' concerns on their health and ecological degradation motivated them for adoption.
Bacterial wilt of capsicum, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, leads to severe yield losses and remains a major constraint in crop production. To address this challenge, we screened 35 rhizobacterial isolates for antagonistic activity using dual culture assays, biofilm formation, plant growth promoting (PGP) traits, extracellular enzyme production and abiotic stress tolerance. Further, five promising isolates (CR24, CR27, CR32, CR33, CR34) were selected for detailed evaluation. These exhibited nutrient solubilization, IAA, siderophore and HCN production, along with biofilm formation. CR27, CR32 and CR34 showed enhanced PGP traits and enzymatic activities, supporting nutrient mobilization and pathogen suppression. Molecular characterization identified CR27 as Bacillus sp. (PX112639), CR32 as Pseudochrobactrum sp. (PV992584), and CR34 as Lysinibacillus sp. (PV992585). Stress assays revealed high tolerance of Bacillus sp. (CR27) and Pseudochrobactrum sp. (CR32) to pH, salinity, temperature and drought. Greenhouse trials validated their efficacy, with Pseudochrobactrum sp. (CR32) showing lowest disease incidence and highest plant growth. This is the first report of Pseudochrobactrum as an antagonist of R. solanacearum, highlighting its potential as a novel bioinoculant for sustainable capsicum cultivation.
Soybean responses to herbivory may be influenced by weeds producing secondary metabolites. We evaluated defoliation, compensatory growth and defense responses in soybean grown alone or with Artemisia annua and Chenopodium album in two field experiments. Defoliation (by Anticarsia gemmatalis or natural insects) was higher in pure soybean than in mixtures (p < 0.05). However, biomass and height were unaffected, indicating strong compensatory growth. Chemical profiles were similar overall, though compound composition varied with A. annua. Reduced herbivory in mixtures may reflect dilution or volatile-mediated effects. Low weed densities reduced herbivory without compromising growth, supporting their role in agroecological management.
This study, conducted across 11 locations in Digha, West Bengal (India), analyzed entomological indices and physicochemical parameters of water from breeding habitats. Based on the hypothesis that symbiotic midgut bacteria aid mosquito larvae in managing environmental stress, bacteria were isolated from third-instar larvae. Two isolates, Bacillus cereus (SBGB1 - MH718822) and Acinetobacter sp. (SBGB2 - AB208676), were characterized and found to mitigate oxidative stress. The absence of these bacteria significantly increased oxidative stress biomarkers (catalase, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde), impairing larval development. These findings suggest disrupting stress management mechanisms could be an innovative strategy for mosquito control.
Cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L., is the most deleterious pests of canola (Brassica napus L.) at global level. Assessment of aphid-mediated losses in canola is essential to design sustainable pest management tools. Currently, no field study was conducted in this regard. Two-year field experiments revealed an exponential increase in aphid population from end-February to mid-March. Plant height was reduced by 18.47-30.81%, number of pods (17.54-20.22%), seeds per pod (15.08-16.68%), thousand-seed weight (5.15-7.33%), yield per plot (36.64-42.61%), and oil contents (2.05-12.3%). Nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, silicon, iron, and zinc were reduced while copper, magnesium, and sulfur were increased. Reverse phase (RP)-HPLC revealed activation of phenolic defense compounds in infested plants specifically myricetin, gallic, syringic, vanillic, caffeic, ferulic, m-coumaric, p-coumaric, syringic, sinapic, and cinnamic acid. However, quercetin and chlorogenic acid were reduced. Study will help in breeding aphid resistant crop cultivars to ensure food security.
The North American Corythucha arcuata (Say, 1832) (Hemiptera: Tingidae), is a potentially significant invasive pest of European oaks (Quercus spp., Fagaceae). First detected in Europe in 2000 it currently occurs in 26 countries in the Palearctic region. Most Eurasian deciduous oaks are suitable host plants; about 30 million hectares of oak dominated forests in Europe can facilitate its spread. It has diverse negative effects on the invaded ecosystems. One main reason for its rapid expansion is the lack of a control agent. The only feasible control option is a classical biological control program. To study its parasitoids, we collected its eggs in six states of the USA in 2023-2024. 23.7% of our samples contained parasitoids, the average parasitism was 14.5%. So far results indicate that Erythmelus klopomor Triapitsyn 2007 (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) is mainly parasitoid of Corythucha spp., with C. arcuata being its preferred host. Our conclusion is that E. klopomor is a promising and the only candidate for classical biological control, but further research efforts are unavoidable prior to a potential deliberate introduction to Europe.
The coffee berry borer (CBB) is the main pest of Coffea arabica, causing major yield and quality losses worldwide. In Indonesia, climate, altitude, and farm management influence pest dynamics, but region-specific patterns remain unclear. We studied 40 Arabica farms in West Java (tropical monsoonal) and North Sumatra (equatorial) for 1 year to assess how climate, altitude, berry availability, and CBB management affect infestation. Monthly monitoring of 1,200 trees recorded infestation and berry load, complemented by CHIRPS climatic data. Generalized linear mixed models assessed regional differences, and longitudinal mixed models examined the temporal effects of altitude, management, shade-tree richness, and berry load. Infestation and berry production were higher in North Sumatra (18.8%) than West Java (11.6%), where infestation peaked at low berry availability and declined with altitude, whereas stable warm temperatures and continuous berry availability supported year-round populations in North Sumatra. Management practices, mainly sanitation harvesting and trap use, reduced infestation in both regions, with the stronger effects in West Java. These results highlight the multifactorial drivers of CBB infestation and the need for adaptive, region-specific management.
Tar spot, caused by Phyllachora maydis, and Fusarium rot, caused by Fusarium graminerum, are problematic diseases of corn, and new management strategies are needed. Two strains of Priestia megaterium, isolated from nongerminating tar spot stromata, could serve as biocontrol agents. In laboratory studies, mean lesion size caused by F. graminearum on leaves of maize inbred N6 was significantly reduced by 28.6% and 38.7% compared to controls when either P. megaterium strain 10 or P. megaterium strain 11 were applied to germinated seed, respectively. The overall incidence of tar spot disease caused by P. maydis on leaves was reduced by 41.6% and 53.9%, respectively, when P. megaterium strain 10 and strain 11 were applied to seeds of maize inbred GE440 in the first year. The incidence of lower leaves with greater than 20 tar spots was significantly reduced by 41.9% and 72.3%, respectively, when P. megaterium strain 10 and strain 11 were applied in the second year. Additional experiments determined that neither bacterium strain caused damage to sheep red blood cells or corn leaves.
Forest decline threatens biodiversity and carbon storage, with pest attacks being a major driver. Dobera glabra, an important food-security tree used during droughts in Ethiopia and other African countries, is now rare and threatened, and recent pest attacks have been reported in Saudi Arabia. In Jazan, three populations were assessed, revealing a density of 40.4 trees per hectare, composed only of adult and old trees, with no regeneration. When combined with unexpected tree deaths, a severe population decline was observed. Dead trees showed heavy infestation by the native termite Microtermes najdensis, with 69.2% infestation and 18% mortality, clarifying pest impacts.
The invasion and establishment of species in the new environments have caused human, social, economic and ecological damage. The redflower Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore (Asteraceae) is globally distributed, extending eastwards out of Africa and Madagascar into the East Indies, India, South-East Asia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Japan. It is classified as an absent quarantine pest by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (Ministerio Agricultura Pecuaria e Abastecimento [MAPA]). Resistance to photosystem I-inhibiting herbicides combined with high seed production makes this weed difficult to control. It is found to cause damage to tomatoes, cabbage, ornamental crops, and orchards, resulting in losses ranging from 60 to 80%. We used the Species Distribution Models (MaxEnt) to predict the potential risk of invasion and establishment in Brazil. The medium and high potential risk is found in southern and southeastern Brazil, respectively. Also, the low potential risk is found in northern Brazil and on the northeastern coast. The critical environmental variable of importance is bio18 (precipitation of warmest quarter), bio13 (precipitation of wettest month), bio9 (mean temperature of driest quarter), bio8 (mean temperature of wettest quarter), and bio10 (mean temperature of warmest quarter). The best model used the omission rate (OR), the area under the curve and true statistical skills (TSSs) as criteria. This study contributed to the integrated weed management (IWM) and indicated critical environmental variables and risk areas for invasion and establishment in Brazil.
The study compared physiological, biochemical, and antioxidant responses of two cotton genotypes (LH2107 and LD491) under Bemisia tabaci infestation. LD491 showed significantly fewer whiteflies than LH2107 (t(12) = 3.5, p = 0.005) and maintained higher chlorophylls and carotenoids. Enhanced antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP), reduced H2O2 and MDA, and elevated antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POX, APX, GR) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (AsA, GSH) were observed in LD491. Increased PAL (2 fold), PPO (4.6 fold), phenols, and lignin further strengthened defense. Correlation and PCA analyses confirmed that pigments, antioxidants, and secondary metabolites collectively contributed to LD491 tolerance, identifying key biomarkers for pest-resistant cotton.
This study illustrates the results of the validation of an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy in tomato crop under farmers' participatory approach in India. Implementation of IPM resulted in an overall reduction in the pest population at both the locations. There was a 17.55% and 9.02% reduction in South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta and fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera damage, respectively, in Karnataka, while a 14.33% reduction in fruit damage due to borer was recorded in Haryana. Similarly, for other pests, a 7.76% and 21.34% reduction in the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci population and 10.66% and 38.36% reduction in leaf miner, Liriomyza trifolii population compared to farmers' practice (FP) were observed in Karnataka and Haryana, respectively. Regarding early blight (EB) (Alternaria solani), an average PDI of 25.22% and 32.88% (IPM fields) and 25.66% and 36.07% (FP fields) were recorded in Karnataka and Haryana, respectively. Further an average PDI of 4.13% and 1.42% (IPM fields) and 5.12% and 2.34% (FP fields) was recorded at two locations in case of late blight (LB) (Phytophthora infestans). Besides, there was an enhancement of up to 75% in chrysopids, 87.50% in coccinellids and 66.66% in predatory spiders' population in IPM fields. IPM farmers received 1.05 and 0.69 rupees more per rupee invested over FP at Karnataka and Haryana, respectively. Overall, the IPM strategy was effective in curbing the pest menace, and proved farmer-friendly, economical and environmentally safe, cohering "One Health" approach. Hence, this technology can be recommended for wider adoption in tomato in similar agro-ecologies, worldwide.
This study assessed pesticide usage patterns, safety behaviours, and the determinants of compliance among smallholder farmers. The findings show that while awareness of pesticide regulations was high (81.40%), actual compliance proved uneven based on socio-economic determinants, particularly concerning the consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and strict adherence to label-directed application rates and schedules. Using generalised linear models, we found that compliance decreased significantly as farmer income increased (p = 0.010) and increased significantly with farmer age (p = 0.030). Furthermore, a Poisson count model revealed that greater knowledge of banned pesticides negatively correlated with adherence to restricted product use rules. Qualitative findings also emphasised persistent structural and behavioural barriers, including inconsistent access to PPE, the influence of subjective norms, and substantial difficulties interpreting technical label text and pictograms. These results underscore that effective pest management interventions must extend beyond simple information campaigns to address these practical constraints, promote accessible label comprehension, and ensure iterative extension support to achieve sustained safe practices and compliance.
The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, is a highly polyphagous global pest that seriously damages not only canola but also a wide range of plants within the Brassicaceae family. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the individual efficacy of salicylic acid (SA), nano-chelated iron (Fe-NPs), and vermiwash in enhancing resistance in four canola cultivars against canola, P. xylostella. We hypothesized that the application of these elicitors would negatively impact the pest's life history and population growth parameters, with effects varying significantly across cultivars. The study was conducted under laboratory conditions. The age-stage, two-sex life table theory was employed to analyze the pest's development, survival, reproduction, and population parameters. Our results revealed that the interaction between cultivar and fertilizer significantly impacted the life table of P. xylostella. The larval and developmental periods were longer in vermiwash-treated cultivar RGS003 than in water-treated Zarfam. The highest male longevity was found in SA-treated cultivar Julius and water-treated RGS003. The fecundity of P. xylostella was higher in water-treated Julius than vermiwash-treated RGS003. The intrinsic reproduction rate (r) and finite reproduction rate (lambda) of P. xylostella increased and decreased significantly in water-treated Julius and vermiwash-treated RGS003. In conclusion, integrating Brassica cultivars with vermiwash fertilizer a promising alternative to synthetic insecticides. Furthermore, the RGS003 cultivar, when combined with vermiwash, significantly affected P. xylostella compatibility compared to the other cultivars and elicitors.
