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Agronomy
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Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: Biopesticides and the Biological Control for Pest...
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Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: Biopesticides and the Biological Control for Pest Management

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Pest and Disease Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 November 2025 | Viewed by 3228

Special Issue Editors

Dr. María Liza López

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CONICET-Estación Experimental Agropecuaria INTA San Juan, San Juan, Argentina
Interests: semiochemicals; pest; essential oils; chemical ecology; biopesticides
Dr. María Paula Zunino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal, Concejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Cátedra de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5016, Argentina
Interests: essential oil; terpenes; insects; volatile organic compounds; bioactivity; repellence; antifungal compounds; botanical pesticides; economic analysis; legislation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The use of biological control in agriculture dates back to ancient times, with early civilizations employing natural enemies to manage pests. The modern development of biopesticides began in the 20th century with the discovery of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), an insecticidal bacterium. Since then, advances in microbiology, biotechnology, and integrated pest management (IPM) have accelerated the development of biopesticides derived from microorganisms, plant extracts, and natural enemies. Today, biopesticides and biological control are central to sustainable agriculture, addressing pest challenges while reducing environmental impact.

The increase in pest populations due to climate change and their geographic expansion presents a significant challenge. Food production must adapt by adopting sustainable practices, developing control strategies that ensure food security while also being environmentally friendly.

This Special Issue aims to gather innovative research on biopesticides and biological control to enhance sustainable pest management, aligning with environmental goals and agricultural productivity. This Special Issue will highlight novel strategies relating to biopesticides and biological control, semiochemical effects and mechanisms, and advancements that align with environmental goals while supporting agricultural productivity.

Dr. María Liza López
Dr. María Paula Zunino
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • semiochemicals
  • biopesticides
  • biological control
  • chemical ecology
  • pest management

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 445 KB  
Article
Effective Yield Protection in Organic Potato Cultivation Through the Application of Diverse Strategies Utilizing Basic Substances
by Jolanta Kowalska, Józef Tyburski, Joanna Krzymińska and Magdalena Jakubowska
Agronomy 2025, 15(9), 2178; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15092178 - 12 Sep 2025
Viewed by 116
Abstract
Basic substances of plant or animal origin are permitted for use in the protection of organic crops. Experiments were performed under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions using emulsified sunflower oil solution at 10%, water onion extract (Allium cepa L.) at 25%, chitosan [...] Read more.
Basic substances of plant or animal origin are permitted for use in the protection of organic crops. Experiments were performed under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions using emulsified sunflower oil solution at 10%, water onion extract (Allium cepa L.) at 25%, chitosan at 2%, two commercial strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (US 05 and Coobra), and a low dose of copper (2 kg/ha) to inhibit the growth of Phytophthora infestans, to contribute to the extension of the vegetation period, and to maintain the photosynthetic capacity responsible for the quantity of yield. Potato varieties with different levels of resistance to the pathogen were planted, and preventive treatments were performed. In the greenhouse experiment, inoculation of potato plants with the pathogen was carried out. The aim of the study was to develop strategies for the combined or alternating use of basic substances and copper in order to delay the appearance of potato late blight symptoms and keep them below the level of economic damage. The main factor determining the effectiveness of the tested strategies was the yield. Protective treatments contributed to an increase in yield compared with untreated plants. Strategies combining copper with sunflower oil, onion extract, or chitosan reduced late blight symptoms; however, the final effect on plant health and yields depended on the susceptibility of the variety to the pathogen. Strategies based solely on basic substances were effective in protecting potato varieties that were less susceptible to P. infestans (e.g., Red Sonya, Lilly, Tajfun). For more-susceptible varieties (e.g., Vineta, Satina, Lord) copper pesticide must be included in the treatment strategy; however, copper can be applied either as the first four foliar sprays followed by two treatments with basic substances or, alternately, with them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: Biopesticides and the Biological Control for Pest Management)
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13 pages, 1829 KB  
Article
The Use of Clove and Rosemary Plant Extracts Against Colletotrichum acutatum and Botrytis cinerea
by Vytautas Bunevičius, Armina Morkeliūnė, Justina Griauzdaitė, Alma Valiuškaitė and Neringa Rasiukevičiūtė
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1728; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071728 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 617
Abstract
Horticulture and agriculture are facing the challenge of growing healthy and high-quality crops. Plant extracts are currently being widely investigated as an alternative means of plant protection. Interest in these measures has increased in order to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, environmental [...] Read more.
Horticulture and agriculture are facing the challenge of growing healthy and high-quality crops. Plant extracts are currently being widely investigated as an alternative means of plant protection. Interest in these measures has increased in order to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, environmental pollution, and adverse effects on human health. Also, due to the goals of the European Green Deal and the decreasing use of chemical pesticides, it has become essential to look for safer alternatives. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of plant extracts of clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) against Colletotrichum acutatum and Botrytis cinerea plant pathogens and to evaluate fungal pathogens recovery after the exposure to the extract. The plant extracts (PEs) were obtained by subcritical CO2 extraction. The inhibitory effect of PEs was investigated in vitro at concentrations of 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400, 2800, and 3000 μL/L. Petri dishes were incubated at 25 ± 2 °C, and the mycelial growth of fungal pathogens was evaluated at 2, 4, and 7 days after inoculation (DAI). Reinoculation was then performed. The research showed that both plant extracts had an antifungal effect. However, clove PE was more effective. This allows us to say that plant-based measures can inhibit plant pathogens, but it is essential to determine the optimal concentrations and test them with different pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: Biopesticides and the Biological Control for Pest Management)
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18 pages, 665 KB  
Article
Potential of Salvia discolor Extract Against Common Agricultural Pathogens
by Poonam Devi, Anna Paola Lanteri, Andrea Minuto, Valentina Parisi, Valeria Iobbi, Nunziatina De Tommasi and Angela Bisio
Agronomy 2025, 15(6), 1268; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15061268 - 22 May 2025
Viewed by 701
Abstract
Phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria pose a serious threat to global agriculture, leading to significant economic losses and potential health risks. Consequently, the search for natural alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals has garnered increasing scientific attention, with plant extracts emerging as promising environmentally friendly solutions. [...] Read more.
Phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria pose a serious threat to global agriculture, leading to significant economic losses and potential health risks. Consequently, the search for natural alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals has garnered increasing scientific attention, with plant extracts emerging as promising environmentally friendly solutions. In this context, the surface extract of Salvia discolor, obtained using dichloromethane, was analyzed for its bioactive potential. Chemical profiling revealed a rich composition of terpenoids and flavonoids. The antimicrobial potential of the ground extract was evaluated against nine phytopathogenic fungi (Alternaria solani, Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae race 1, Phoma betae, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Pythium dissotocum, and Stemphylium sp.), and two phytopathogenic bacteria (Clavibacter michiganesis subsp. michiganesis and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum), selected from common pathogens of agricultural interest. Complete inhibition of P. chlamydospora at 1000 µg mL−1 and strong activity against P. dissotocum, F. solani and B. cinerea was observed, and low inhibition (<40%) against C. lindemuthianum and F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae race 1. However, the extract showed promising results in the post-harvest protection of tomatoes against gray mold. Moderate antibacterial activity was seen against C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. These findings indicate that S. discolor extract has the potential to serve as an effective natural crop protection agent, though further optimization may be needed for broader application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: Biopesticides and the Biological Control for Pest Management)
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11 pages, 1286 KB  
Article
Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Sustainable Thrips Control in Nectarine Cultivation: Efficacy, Pollinator Safety, and Integrated Pest Management Strategies
by Evangelos Moutsaras, Aikaterini Gerasimatou, Athanasios Antonopoulos, Christina Panopoulou, Dimitrios Lazarakis and Antonios Tsagkarakis
Agronomy 2025, 15(3), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15030627 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1201
Abstract
The efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, for controlling Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae, Pergande, 1895) in nectarine orchards, was evaluated, alongside their potential impact on honeybees (Apis mellifera, Hymenoptera: Apidae, Linnaeus, 1785). Field trials revealed that [...] Read more.
The efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, for controlling Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae, Pergande, 1895) in nectarine orchards, was evaluated, alongside their potential impact on honeybees (Apis mellifera, Hymenoptera: Apidae, Linnaeus, 1785). Field trials revealed that S. feltiae significantly reduced thrips populations and fruit damage compared to the control, while H. bacteriophora showed no significant effect. The reduction in feeding scars on fruits from S. feltiae–treated trees underscores its potential as a sustainable biocontrol agent. However, laboratory bioassays indicated that another EPN, Steinernema carpocapsae, induced delayed mortality in honeybees under high-exposure conditions, pinpointing the need for careful application to minimize risks to pollinators. These findings demonstrate the potential of S. feltiae for integrated pest management (IPM) in nectarine cultivation while emphasizing the importance of species-specific selection and pollinator safety. Future research should focus on optimizing application methods, understanding environmental influences on EPN efficacy, and assessing long-term impacts on pollinator health to ensure sustainable pest management practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: Biopesticides and the Biological Control for Pest Management)
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