Agrochemicals, Volume 4, Issue 1 (March 2025) – 4 articles

Wheat pathogens pose a significant risk to global wheat production, with climate change further complicating disease dynamics. Effective management requires a combination of genetic resistance, cultural practices, and careful use of chemical controls. Ongoing research and adaptation to changing environmental conditions are crucial for sustaining wheat yields and food security. Based on selective academic literature retrieved from the Scopus database and analyzed by a bibliographic software such as the VOSviewer we discussed and focused on various aspects of current and future strategies for managing major wheat pathogens and diseases such as Tan spot, Septoria tritici blotch, Fusarium head blight, etc. Chemical management methods, such as the use of fungicides, can be effective but are not always preferred. Instead, agronomic practices like crop rotation and tillage play a significant role in managing wheat diseases by reducing both the incidence and severity of these diseases. Moreover, adopting resistance strategies is essential for effective disease management. Full article

This study explores consumer perceptions of the Greek food system, focusing on safety concerns related to pesticide residues. Utilizing a qualitative research design, thematic analysis was conducted on data collected from 1024 participants through an online survey platform between May and November 2024. Participants, representing diverse demographics across Greece, provided insights into their experiences and concerns regarding food safety. The analysis revealed significant themes, including a crisis of confidence in governance, demands for transparency, and skepticism towards food system actors. Participants expressed disillusionment with the state’s role in ensuring food safety and highlighted the need for a governance framework that aligns with community values. The findings underscore the importance of empowering consumers with accurate information to foster informed decision-making and rebuild trust in the food system. Ultimately, this study emphasizes the necessity for a transformative approach to food governance that incorporates diverse voices and perspectives, aiming to create a more equitable and sustainable food system in Greece. These insights contribute to the broader discourse on food citizenship and the collective responsibilities of all stakeholders in ensuring food safety and integrity. Full article

Seed enhancements involve post-harvest modifications that improve germination and plant performance. One form of enhancement involves coatings, which encompasses encrusting, pelleting, and film coats. These coatings may contain agrichemicals, such as fungicides and insecticides, and can foster conformational changes that improve the plantability of small or irregularly shaped seeds. Seed encapsulation using pharmaceutical capsules can be viewed as an extension of seed coatings where seeds and other beneficial agrichemicals can be combined into a single plantable unit. For many crops, direct contact with high levels of conventional fertilizers may induce some level of phytotoxicity, and early studies involving fertilizer-enriched seed coatings resulted in decreased seedling emergence and diminished plant performance. Encapsulation, however, provides greater delivery volumes compared to other coatings and may offer some degree of separation between seeds and potentially phytotoxic agrochemicals. This study considered tomato seed encapsulation with controlled-release fertilizers. In general, seed exposure to gelatin-based capsules delayed germination by 2- to 3- days. Nevertheless, seed encapsulation improved plant performance including increased plant height and dry mass production by as much as 75 and 460%, respectively. These growth responses mitigated any effects attributed to germination delays. Moreover, higher levels of controlled-release fertilizers (≥800 mg) fostered earlier flower induction by up to 3 weeks. Collectively, the results suggest that seed encapsulation can be an effective way to deliver fertilizers to plants in a manner that could reduce overall fertilizer application rates and possibly lessen the quantity of plant nutrient input necessary for tomato cultivation. Full article