Insect pest management strategies are increasingly shifting towards sustainable and eco-friendly methods, with biological control gaining significant attention. This shift is driven by growing concerns over the negative impacts of chemical pesticides on human health, non-target organisms, and the environment, as well as increasing reports of pest resistance. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a major transboundary pest that became globally significant after spreading from its native Americas. While chemical pesticides have been widely used to control this pest, biological control through natural enemies such as parasitoids, predators, and entomopathogens offers a more sustainable solution by promoting ecological balance and reducing the risks of pesticide resistance. This approach regulates S. frugiperda populations by targeting various life stages and disrupting their development, feeding behaviours, and reproductive capabilities. A comprehensive analysis of the existing literature showed that parasitoids from the Hymenopteran family Braconidae were the most commonly reported on S. frugiperda. This was followed by parasitoids from the Diptera family Tachinidae and the Hymenopteran family Ichneumonidae. Among predators, coleopterans from the family Coccinellidae were the most commonly reported. Among entomopathogens, common pathogens reported on S. frugiperda include fungi from the Zygomycetes and Hyphomycetes groups, nematodes from the Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae families, viruses from the Baculoviridae family, and bacteria such as Bacillus thuringiensis. Identifying the most potent biological control agents offers opportunities to design effective and sustainable pest management strategies. This paper systematically reviewed the natural enemies of S. frugiperda with the aim of facilitating the development and adoption of biocontrol strategies to mitigate the adverse impacts of this pest on agricultural productivity. Moreover, challenges associated with implementing this approach are discussed, along with future directions for the successful integration of biological control options in sustainable S. frugiperda management.

A better understanding of the connection between choices of market outlets and agroecological adoption is vital to inform policy-making towards enhancing sustainable intensification and market linkages of smallholders. However, little is known about how such decisions interact with one another. This study explores the link between choices of market outlets and agroecological adoption among smallholder mango producers in Southern Ethiopia, employing cross-sectional survey data from 368 households, a multinomial logit model, and ordinary least squares regression. Results reveal a strong association between the two decisions. Higher agroecological adoption intensity, larger mango plot size, and greater input are significantly associated with lower reliance on brokers and greater participation in urban traders and consumer market channels. Households selling to urban traders or directly to consumers exhibit significantly higher agroecological adoption intensity relative to those relying on brokers. Higher access to market information strongly predicts higher agroecological adoption intensity. Although brokers account for approximately 65 percent of transactions, agroecological practices facilitate access to higher-value outlets, which in turn incentivize further adoption of the practice. These findings demonstrate a mutually reinforcing pattern between market outlet choice and agroecological adoption. The findings suggest that policies aimed at increasing agroecological adoption should also support reducing brokerage dependency, strengthening direct market linkages to urban value chains, and investing in market information systems to create virtuous cycles of sustainable intensification and market upgrading.

To combat climate change, farmers want to develop sustainable agriculture that enhances food production while strengthening their capacity to cope with extreme weather events and pest and disease pressures. Promoting agroecological farming practices is a promising approach in enhancing sustainability and strengthening the climate-resilient farming systems. Recent research often overlooks to what extent the agroecological farming practices (AFP) provide a measurable advantage over non-AFP methods under increasing environmental challenges. In this regard, this study compares the extent of climate resilience between AFP mango-based farming systems and non-AFP mango-based farming systems in southern Ethiopia. AFP adopters applied ecological principles like intercropping, integrated pest management, agroforestry, canopy management, varietal diversity, and water and soil preservation to enhance biodiversity and soil health, and boost productivity and ecosystem services. The study employed a mixed-method design, drawing on the data from 395 selected households. The resilience of AFP and non-AFP farming systems was assessed by computing the 13 agroecosystem indicators of climate resilience using the Self-evaluation and Holistic Assessment of Climate Resilience of Farmers and Pastoralists (SHARP+) tool. Households in AFP mango-based farming system demonstrated greater diversification in agricultural production system compared to those in non-AFP mango farming system. The analysis of climate resilience indicators showed that the mango production systems under the AFP were more climate-robust than their conventional systems. Both the compound resilience score and the household resilience index showed that the mango farming systems under AFP substantially enhanced climate resilience. Hence, coordinated supports from the extension services, NGOs, and researchers are needed to scale up these benefits of AFP. Strengthening the AFP mango farming requires addressing the key barriers such as market access, input availability, and crop diversification strategies. This paper identifies important avenues for further AFP research in Sub-Saharan African countries.

The rapid expansion of black soldier fly (BSF) farming for high-quality feed protein is attracting global attention. As an eco-friendly strategy for converting organic waste into sustainable feed, BSF production has prompted African governments to develop standards and policies to support the insect feed sector. However, empirical evidence on farmers' intention to use BSF-based feed and their willingness to pay (WTP) for it remains scarce. This study evaluates poultry farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding BSF-based feed; assesses their intention to use it, willingness to pay (WTP), and demand for it; and identifies the factors influencing their WTP. The study used survey data from 914 farmers in Ethiopia (700) and Rwanda (214). Because BSF feed was not yet commercially available, we applied a contingent valuation approach and presented a sample of dried BSF larvae during the interviews. Although 92% of farmers were aware that insects can be used as poultry feed, most did not know that insects can be mass-produced and processed into feed. Fewer than 20% had ever used insects as feed, and less than 15% had tried insect-based feed specifically. Nevertheless, 98% expressed a willingness to use BSF-based feed if it were available on the market. Farmers in Ethiopia were willing to pay 0.14 USD/kg, about 42% below soybean prices. In contrast, farmers in Rwanda were willing to pay about 0.19 USD/kg, comparable to the local price of soybeans. Among farmers willing to use BSF-based feed, the estimated demand for dried larvae exceeds 183 tonnes per day, with Ethiopia accounting for the vast majority (167 tonnes per day) and Rwanda for the remainder (16 tonnes per day). These projected volumes should be interpreted as an optimistic indicator of potential market interest rather than guaranteed commercial uptake. Regression results indicate that efforts to promote BSF-based feed should focus on farmers who already practice good poultry management (such as vaccination) and on areas receiving NGO or government support for poultry development. Entrepreneurs should prioritize scaling BSF larvae production by targeting commercially oriented poultry farmers. At the same time, governments and development partners can accelerate adoption by strengthening extension support and veterinary services.

Agroecological practices are a promising strategy for improving the productivity of mango-based farming systems sustainably. However, their adoptions among farmers in Ethiopia remain low and inconsistent. Despite their potential benefits, little is known about the extent of adoption, the interdependent nature of these practices, and the determinants associated with the farmers' decisions to adopt multiple agroecological practices. Hence, this investigation explores the determinants associated with the adoption of agroecological practices in mango-based farming systems in southern Ethiopia. The study employed a mixed-methods design using 395 randomly selected households. The multivariate probit and Poisson regression models were used for data analysis. Findings showed that crop diversification (90.63%), integrated pest management (55.7%), canopy management (53.16%), organic fertilizer application (48.1%), and topworking (27.09%) of mango trees were the most commonly implemented agroecological practices that have significant complementarity. The multivariate probit model showed that farmers’ adoption of agroecological practices was positively associated with education, access to training, farmer experience, tree density, awareness of pest information, access to credit, and farm inputs. The Poisson regression analysis also indicated that older farmers tended to adopt fewer agroecological practices, whereas education, tree density, training, farm experience, and farm input use were positively associated with farmers' intensity to adopt the agroecological practices. Therefore, the study suggests that the extension program should focus on introducing context and site-specific agroecological practices and support farmers with relevant skill and knowledge training as well as input supplies. Moreover, policies and support programs should prioritize the dissemination of best agroecological practices and lessons learned elsewhere to smallholder farmers.

Tetrigidae is a caeliferan family of Orthoptera constituting a diverse and relatively ancient lineage of small Orthopterans, which has its greatest diversity in tropical and subtropical areas. However, to date, few studies have been conducted on the identification and description of Tetrigidae species in Ethiopia, and even fewer molecular data are available. Hence, we performed the first species delimitation study via DNA barcoding of species belonging to the genera Paratettix, Leptacrydium, Dasyleurotettix, and Morphopoides from Ethiopia. We provide 35 new sequences of the COI gene belonging to six species of these genera. We show that Ethiopian Tetrigidae can be successfully delineated using DNA barcodes, even in cryptic genera such as Paratettix: species delimitation on the basis of this gene was strongly congruent with the phylogenetic tree and morphological assignments. We report three species: Dasyleurotettix infaustus (Walker, 1871), Morphopoides tessmanni (Günther, 1939), and M. folipes (Hancock, 1908) from Ethiopia for the first time. In addition, we describe three new species, which were confirmed with morphological, phylogenetic, and species delimitation methods: Paratettix tanai sp. nov., Paratettix geminus sp. nov., and Leptacrydium naqamteensis sp. nov. Further, we studied Paratettix macrostenus, which is considered a new synonym of P. subpustulatus. Future integrative taxonomic studies, including more material from diverse regions, additional genetic loci and more comprehensive taxon sampling, need to be performed to understand the diversity of Tetrigidae across Africa.

Maize–legume intercropping offers a promising approach to enhance soil fertility and mitigate production losses caused by insect pests. This study assessed the impact of Maize–legume intercropping on pest infestation and soil fertility improvements. The results showed that the maize–Desmodium intercrop had the lowest pest infestation (5.4%) compared to the maize monocrop (10.7%) while also achieving a higher maize grain yield (6.4 t ha−1) compared to the monocrop (5.7 t ha−1) in 2022. Similarly, in 2023, the maize–common bean–Desmodium intercrop recorded the lowest infestation (3.9%) compared to maize–Desmodium (9.1%), maize–common bean (10.9%), and maize monocrop (40.3%). In addition, the highest maize grain yield was observed in the maize–common bean–Desmodium intercrop (8.06 t ha−1), outperforming the monocrop (5.3 t ha−1), maize–common bean (6.78 t ha−1), and maize–Desmodium (7.1 t ha−1). The maize–common bean– Desmodium intercrop also increased soil organic carbon (3.3%), organic matter (4.2%), total nitrogen (0.31%), and available nitrogen (5.8%). These findings suggest that maize–common bean–Desmodium intercropping can serve as an effective strategy to reduce insect pest pressure, enhance soil fertility, and improve productivity without intensifying interspecific competition with maize crops.

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) invasion poses a significant threat to maize production in Africa. Some entomopathogenic fungal strains, particularly those from the genera Beauveria and Metarhizium, have been considered as potential biological control agents for this pest. When these entomopathogenic fungi are present in fields, they can not only infect individual pests but also spread among pest populations, leading to long-term suppression. In this study, 17 entomopathogenic fungi isolates, including 12 Beauveria spp. and 5 Metarhizium spp., were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Pathogenicity assessments revealed significant variation in mortality rates among the isolates. Specifically, Beauveria isolates APPRC-44BC and APPRC-27 demonstrated high larval mortality rates of 88.7% and 83.5%, respectively. The dose-response study showed that APPRC-44BC had the lowest LC50 (2.8 x 105 conidia/mL) and LC90 (2.2 x 107 conidia/mL) values. Subsequently, the three most pathogenic isolates, two from Beauveria spp. (APPRC-44BC and APPRC-27) and one from Metarhizium sp. (APPRC-34GM), were evaluated under field conditions in maize. Treatments with these isolates, particularly APPRC-44BC, significantly reduced leaf damage and increased yield compared to the negative control. These findings underscore the potential of native entomopathogenic fungi isolates as sustainable alternatives for managing S. frugiperda. The present study addresses a critical knowledge gap in Africa and offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for effective pest management. Further evaluation of these promising isolates in diverse agroecological settings is needed to confirm their effectiveness across different regions.

Enset Xanthomonas wilt (EXW), caused by Xanthomonas vasicola pv. musacearum (Xvm), severely impacts enset cultivation in the Ethiopian highlands. Enset is the main staple crop for around 20 million Ethiopians. While primarily spread through infected planting material and contaminated tools, farmers recently speculated that leafhoppers could potentially be an insect-vector for Xvm. This study provides the first experimental evidence that the leafhopper Cicadella cosmopolita (Signoret, 1853) acts as a vector for Xvm transmission between enset plants. Controlled net trials demonstrated that healthy enset plants developed EXW symptoms after exposure to leafhoppers that continuously fed on Xvm-inoculated plants. Putative Xvm cultures were isolated from symptomatic plants and leafhopper bodies (abdomen/thorax), from which their pathogenicity was confirmed through subsequent inoculations into healthy enset plants. DNA analysis verified the presence of Xvm in whole leafhopper samples, thorax/abdomen tissues, and cultures from symptomatic plants. Field surveys along two altitude bands ranging 1000‒3000 m above sea level (masl) revealed an increased leafhopper abundance at 1500‒2500 masl during the wet season, coinciding with higher EXW prevalence. Farmer interviews regarding leafhopper ecology, pest control and relation to EXW revealed limited overall knowledge and perceived impact. From the net trials, Xvm was detected in only 4 of 20 leafhopper samples, all from insects with continuous contact with infected plants, suggesting limited transmission potential under natural conditions. Given the omnipresence of the leafhoppers in several of the studied enset-production landscapes, best management remains the timely and complete removal of all diseased plants, the use of disease-free planting materials, and clean garden tools, which in turn will also keep the risk of secondary leafhopper-vectored transmission at a minimum. Extension services should emphasize the increased EXW transmission risk in areas with high leafhopper populations as part of an integrated EXW management strategy.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a vital staple crop in tropical and subtropical regions. Using cassava both as human food and as feed for eri-silkworms (Samia cynthia ricini Boisduval) offers a sustainable way to increase income and optimize cassava use. This study evaluated the adaptability, leaf productivity, and silk yield of 10 cassava genotypes in Southwest Ethiopia to identify their suitability as eri-silkworm feed. Significant variations were observed among the genotypes in terms of plant height, leaf traits, stem diameter, and dry matter (DM) yield, all of which influenced eri-silkworm growth. Genotype 16301 had the tallest plants, while M94/0117 was the shortest. Eri-silkworm performance, including larval weight, survival, hatchability, and effective rate of rearing (ERR), varied by genotype, likely reflecting differences in leaf nutrition. Notably, genotype Umbure achieved the highest ERR (95.8%), survival rate (94.8%), cocoon weight (1.7 g), pupal weight (1.6 g), shell weight (0.3 g), and silk ratio (14.6%). Umbure's leaves also had superior nutritional qualities, including high crude protein (28.6%), high in vitro dry matter digestibility, and low fiber content (32.4%), making them an excellent protein source for eri-silkworms. Furthermore, Umbure produced the most tubers per plant and the highest total fresh and DM yields per hectare over 2 years, with Qulle having the greatest tuber count and Umbure producing the longest tubers. These results indicate that genotype Umbure is the most promising cassava variety for silk production due to its nutritional value and favorable traits for eri-silkworm rearing. This study highlights the potential of cassava-eri-silkworm integration to improve farmer income and promote sustainable cassava production. Future research and extension efforts should focus on supporting the adoption of this practice.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), is a damaging crop pest that has recently invaded and established across Africa from its native tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. To develop an improved monitoring system for the FAW, we evaluated five commercial sex pheromone lures (Shenzhen Bio-global, FALLTRACK, Enlure, P061-Lure and PH-869-1PR), three trap types (delta, bucket, and water-pan) and six placement heights (ground level, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 m above the ground and 0.2 m above the crop canopy) in replicated field trials at representative maize growing agroecologies of Kenya. Water-pan traps baited with the lures PH-869-1PR and P061-Lure captured the highest number of moths, whereas delta traps captured the least number of moths regardless of the pheromone lure used. Water-pan traps baited with Enlure and FALLTRACK lures captured more non-target insects than traps baited with the other lures. Traps placed at 1.5 m and 2 m above the ground captured more FAW moths than traps at the other placement heights. Genetic studies revealed no discernible differences between lures in the proportions of FAW strains captured. We recommend PH-869-1PR baited water-pan and bucket traps at a placement height of 1.5 m above ground for monitoring the FAW in Kenya. Moreover, we discussed the merits and drawbacks of different pheromone lure and trap combinations, and placement heights.

Summary Maize is an important cereal crop in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Plant-parasitic nematodes significantly impact maize production. However, research on maize nematodes in SSA is limited. The current study aimed to assess the occurrences and densities of nematodes associated with maize and to assess the correlation of some soil physicochemical properties with nematodes in southern and southwestern Ethiopia. One hundred and eighty-six soil and root samples were collected from 62 maize fields (31 from Hawassa Zuria and 31 from Mana districts). Eleven plant-parasitic nematode genera were identified. The most important genera of plant-parasitic nematodes identified were Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus , followed by Helicotylenchus and Tylenchorhynchus . The nematodes Pratylenchus and Criconemoides were significantly and positively associated with pH, soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil organic matter (SOM). Additionally, Tylenchorhynchus , Pratylenchus and Rotylenchulus were significantly positively correlated with soil available phosphorus (SAP). However, Criconemoides and Meloidogyne had a strong negative correlation with soil bulk density (SBD). This study provides useful baseline information on maize-associated nematodes, and will be useful for agricultural policy makers, private farmers, non-governmental organisations and agricultural extension workers enabling them to establish sustainable maize nematode management strategies.

The ability of honeybees to successfully grow, reproduce and build strong colonies and produce honey depends on their ability to obtain enough resources from flowering plants within appropriate seasons. However, little is known about seasonal variations and characterisation of honeybee pollen collected in Ethiopia. Therefore, to address this, a total of 2160 pollen samples were collected from five districts in different seasons for two years. The pollen samples were acetolysed and taxonomically identified. The pollen type was classified into frequency categories based on its relative abundance. Diversity indices and species richness were also calculated and compared between districts and seasons. The highest species richness was recorded in Guraferda district, while the lowest was recorded in Godare district. The spring season was considered the most suitable as it has the highest richness in all districts. The 'predominant' and 'secondary' pollen sources were identified from different plant genera in Asteraceae (62.23%), Mimosaceae (23.59%), Myrtaceae (43.76%), Poaceae (27.25%), Rubiaceae (36.64%), Combretaceae (28.14%), Euphorbiaceae (18.97%), Burseraceae (16.35%), Convolvulaceae (16.52%), Solanaceae (21.40%), Icacinaceae (17.86%), and Dichapetalaceae (16.35%). Terminalia spp. (Combretaceae) had the highest pollen counts and are common in the area. Other species with significant pollen counts included Acacia spp. (Mimosaceae), Croton macrostachyus (Euphorbiaceae), Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Myrtaceae), Vernonia spp. (Asteraceae) and Iodes spp. (Icacinaceae). This study indicated that southwest Ethiopia has great potential for honey production and beekeeping business based on the study of pollen collected. Thus, these results help as a guide to the optimal use of flora resources by a honeybee in the areas.

This study aimed to analyze farmers’ perceptions of maize production constraints and determine the effects of push–pull technology (PPT) on crop yield, pest control, and improving soil fertility status. Increasing fertilizer prices and pesticide prices, FAWs (fall armyworms) and stemborers, declining soil fertility, and drought are the main maize production constraints in the area. Seventy percent of the respondents indicated that an increase in input prices such as those of fertilizer and seeds is the major constraint in the area, while FAWs (55%) and stemborers (44.3%) were ranked the third and fourth major constraints. About 67% of farmers reported that stemborer damage to maize in PPT plots was either minimal or non-existent. Fifty-five percent of farmers stated that the damage caused to maize by FAWs was low or that there was no damage in PPT plots. PPT reduced stem borer infestation from 83% to 44%. The yield gained from PPT plots ranged from 18% to 31%. Soil samples taken from PPT plots showed improved soil organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, and cation exchange capacity.

Post-harvest losses occur during storage mainly due to spills, fungal contamination, and pest damage. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the effect of post-harvest management and sanitation practices by grain traders on the quality of stored grains in Kenya. A total of 342 grain traders, distributed among three counties, namely Nairobi, Embu, and Machakos, were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Maize and common beans were the main crops stored in trader’s stores. Most of the traders obtained grains from the retail brokers (39.9%) and most of the grain stores were rented (73.3%). Traders sold stocks of grains less than a month and in the first three months. The grain traders used mainly propylene bags (>84%) and bought new propylene bags for the new stock (51%). The highest proportion of grains was sold to individual consumers or local retailers. Grain sampling followed by sorting and drying were the main procedures carried out within the traders’ stores after receiving new stock. In case of deteriorated grains caused by fungal infection, insect, or other factors, most traders immediately sold the grains while other traders sold to animal feed manufacturers. Most traders had knowledge of grain standards, but more than 95% of them used their own standards to grade their grains, and < 3% of the traders used East African grain standards. Inspection of insects infestation in stores by traders was ranked first (95.4%) followed by rodents (71.7%) and mold contamination (42.5%). These findings highlight the intervention needed in the practices of grain traders to reduce food losses.

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and several Asian countries, maize continues to be a major staple food for millions of people. It plays an important role in food and nutrition security and as a source of income. Pests and diseases, however, are the primary biotic constraints to maize productivity in these countries. The recent invasion of the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), throughout Africa and Asia threatens the production and food security goals of subsistence smallholder farmers throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa followed by spread to India in 2018 and China. FAW was first detected in West Africa from São Tomé, Nigeria, Bénin and Togo in early 2016. As of May 2019, FAW has now been confirmed in all sub-Saharan countries, and later on its occurrence has been reported in various Asian countries. FAW is a highly polyphagous pest attacking over 350 plant species, including several economically important crops such as maize ( Zea mays L.), rice ( Oryza sativa L.), cotton ( Gossypium spp. L.), sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and several legumes that are also preferred hosts. In Africa, without effective FAW management options, this pest will cause substantial maize yield losses ranging from 8.3 to 20.6 million tonnes annually, with losses of $2.5–6.2 million. However, now that FAW is established in > 42 countries, the total annual impact is estimated at $13 billion. Although over 150 species of FAW parasitoids have been recorded in the Americas, there is still the demand of information regarding the potential of biological control in Africa, and alternative complementary management tactics. Given the ongoing damage potential of FAW in Africa, and now Asia, the urgency to develop practical management solutions at the farm level cannot be overemphasized. This review summarizes much of the global, current research that should be useful in developing FAW management programs for smallholder farmers in SSA and Asia. In so doing, we present an Integrated pest management (IPM) framework that relies on several foundational and compatible tactics, including timely monitoring of FAW, host plant resistance, biological control, cultural control, and when necessary, chemical control. Consequently, this review identifies several research gaps, as well as logical research objectives that should prove useful going forward. Finally, we explore how sustainable IPM systems for FAW can contribute to both long-term food security and environmental stewardship goals for agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia-Pacific region.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal crop in the world which has led to extensive research on the diversity and ecology of pests in the maize agroecosystem. However, research on maize nematode communities in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly in Ethiopia, is needed in contrast to other countries. Thus, the current study aimed to assess the diversity of nematodes associated with maize and their role as bioindicators of the soil health status of the maize agroecosystem. One hundred and eighty-six soil and root samples were collected from 62 maize fields in the Hawassa Zuria and Mana districts of the potential maize producing areas in southern and southwestern Ethiopia. Fifteen genera of nematodes from 12 families were recovered. Meloidogyne (90%) and Pratylenchus (98.4%) were the most dominant of all genera, with a population density of 355±48 and 211±18 individuals/100 ml of soil, respectively. Most of the nematodes were significantly associated with the physicochemical properties of the soil. In the trophic group, herbivores were highest in all sites ranging from (73-93%), followed by omnivores (38-70%), bacterivores (27-42%), fungivores (20-30%) and predators (21-28%). The nematode community structure indices differed significantly between the two districts. The energy pathway of the food web of the studied maize farms was mainly dominated by the bacterial enrichment decomposition channel that indicates an unstable microbial soil food web. The result revealed that the ecological indices of the nematodes showed significant differences between the two districts. Furthermore, this study provides useful information on maize-associated nematodes and their food relationships, and metabolic functions that could be used as an important indicator tool for soil health status and management.

Plant-associated endophytic fungi (EFs) are emerging as a promising solution to advancing modern agriculture and fostering environmental sustainability, especially in the face of climate change scenarios. These fungi, either naturally residing in plants or introduced through artificial inoculation techniques, improve agricultural production due to their various roles in protecting and supporting host plants. The majority of EFs serve as natural biocontrol agents for a variety of agricultural pests, such as insects, phytopathogens, nematodes, and weeds. Notably, EFs produce secondary metabolites, trigger immune responses, modify plant defense gene expression, confer host plant resistance and/or tolerance, and regulate pest growth, populations, and survival to combat agricultural pests. Beyond controlling pests, EFs promote optimal plant growth, development, and resilience by aiding in the synthesis of vital compounds such as phytohormones and bioactive metabolites, nutrient acquisition, and fortifying plants against environmental stresses and climatic changes. Moreover, the mostly nonpathogenic nature of EFs, coupled with their high yield potential, environmental safety, and cost effectiveness, positions them as eco-friendly and economically viable alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals amidst rapid climate change scenarios. As a result, the promising horizon of EFs in agricultural production necessitates interdisciplinary study and microbial modulation approaches to optimize symbiotic plant-EF relationships and their potential for improved productivity. This review provides current and comprehensive insights into the practical applications and multifaceted benefits of EFs in pest management, plant growth promotion, and climate change resilience for future agricultural production improvements. The analysis reveals the potential of developing EFs into innovative bioformulations such as biofertilizers, biostimulants, and biopesticides, thereby paving the way for their integration into a sustainable and more resilient future agricultural system.

Building climate-resilient farming systems is important to promote the sustainability of agriculture at the global level. Scaling-up agroecological approaches in main staple crops, such as maize, is particularly important in enhancing the climate resilience of millions of smallholder farmers in developing countries. In this regard, push–pull technology (PPT) is an ecological approach to a farming system that aims to improve the climate resilience of maize producers in a smallholder mixed farming system. PPT is primarily designed to control pests and weeds in an ecofriendly approach, to improve soil fertility, to improve livestock feed, and to increase farmers’ incomes. In this study, we compared the level of climate resilience between PPT maize farming systems and non-PPT maize farming systems in southern Ethiopia. Using the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Self-Evaluation and Holistic Assessment of Climate Resilience of Farmers and Pastoralists (SHARP), we measured 13 agroecosystem indicators of climate resilience and compared the degree to which the two farming systems differ in their level of resilience to climate change. The results indicate that PPT farming systems are more climate-resilient than their non-PPT counterparts. PPT maize farming systems had a significant impact on 8 out of the 13 agroecosystem indicators of climate resilience. To harness the full benefits of PPT, governmental extension agents, NGOs, and agricultural researchers should promote PPT-based maize farming systems. The promotion of PPT needs concerted efforts and strong national coordination in solving PPT implementation barriers, such as improving access to input and output markets and animal health services.

Abstract The Old World bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a globally distributed agricultural and horticultural insect pest. Despite the economic importance of this insect in Ethiopia, its genetic diversity and demographic history are poorly understood. We examined the nucleotide variation of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene fragment of 74 H. armigera individuals from six collection sites in Ethiopia. We recorded 15 COI haplotypes in H. armigera, ten globally shared and five exclusive to Ethiopia (HaET15, HaET14, HaET10, HaET7, and HaET4). Haplotype HaET1 was the most widely geographically distributed and frequent (71.62%). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed a high and significant level of variation within H. armigera populations (θST = −0.0135). Negative values of the neutrality test and nonsignificant index of mismatch distribution supported the demographic expansion of H. armigera populations in Ethiopia; furthermore, this was also supported by the nonsignificant values of the sum of squared deviations (SSD) and raggedness index (r). The high genetic variation and population expansion of H. armigera have immense implications for devising locally adapted management strategies in area‐wide integrated pest management IPM programs. However, a comprehensive study of H. armigera genetic diversity and population structure using various molecular markers is needed for future confirmation.