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Agronomy
Special Issues
Adaptive Evolution and Resistance Mechanisms in Agricultural Pest Management
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Adaptive Evolution and Resistance Mechanisms in Agricultural 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: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 2006

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Rui Pang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510651, China
Interests: adaptive evolution; insecticide resistance; plant–herbivore interaction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agricultural pests have posed a significant challenge to global food security, with their adaptive evolution and resistance mechanisms complicating integrated pest management strategies. This Special Issue aims to explore the latest advancements in understanding these complex dynamics, focusing on research that addresses the adaptive evolution of pests in terms of pesticides, plant resistance, and other pest management strategies. We seek original research articles and reviews that contribute to the understanding of pest resistance mechanisms, the role of adaptive evolution in pest populations, and innovative approaches to overcoming these challenges. By showcasing the latest scientific findings, this issue aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and inform future pest management practises.

Dr. Rui Pang
Guest Editor

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

  • pest management
  • adaptive evolution
  • pesticide resistance
  • metabolic resistance
  • target site mutation

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2862 KiB  
Article
CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Knockout of PxPGRP4 Influences Midgut Microbial Homeostasis and Immune Responses in Plutella xylostella
by Shuzhong Li, Xiaoxia Xu, Dongran Fu, Mingyou Liu, Congjing Feng and Fengliang Jin
Agronomy 2025, 15(6), 1294; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15061294 - 25 May 2025
Viewed by 316
Abstract
Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are essential for innate immune recognition and regulation from insects to mammals. However, the specific role of PGRPs in responding to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) infection and maintaining midgut microbial homeostasis in Plutella xylostella remains poorly understood. In this study, [...] Read more.
Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are essential for innate immune recognition and regulation from insects to mammals. However, the specific role of PGRPs in responding to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) infection and maintaining midgut microbial homeostasis in Plutella xylostella remains poorly understood. In this study, we identified and characterized a PGRP gene from P. xylostella, designated PxPGRP4. The spatiotemporal expression analysis revealed that PxPGRP4 is predominantly expressed in the midgut of naïve larvae and at adult stages. A homozygous mutant strain featuring a four-base pair nucleotide deletion was successfully generated through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of PxPGRP4. The bioassay results indicated that the susceptibility of P. xylostella larvae to Cry1Ac protoxin was significantly increased by the loss of PxPGRP4 expression. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing and qPCR analysis revealed that the PxPGRP4 mutants exhibited a significantly reduced total bacterial load and altered microbiota composition in the midgut compared to the wild-type strain, with a shift in the dominant bacterial family from Enterobacteriaceae to Enterococcaceae. Additionally, the knockout of PxPGRP4 resulted in significant alterations in the expression of midgut immune-related genes. These findings highlight the crucial role of PxPGRP4 as a modulator of midgut microbiota and immune responses and provide valuable insights into Bt resistance management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Evolution and Resistance Mechanisms in Agricultural Pest Management)
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15 pages, 5083 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Transcriptomic Analysis of Spodoptera frugiperda Reveals Stage-Specific Gene Expression and P450-Mediated Adaptation Mechanisms
by Ziqi Cheng, Zhe Huang, Bin Yan, Xing Huang and Yang Mei
Agronomy 2024, 14(12), 3054; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14123054 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1183
Abstract
The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a significant agricultural pest with a broad host range and adaptability, posing challenges to pest management worldwide. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underpinning their development and resilience, we performed a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis across nine [...] Read more.
The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a significant agricultural pest with a broad host range and adaptability, posing challenges to pest management worldwide. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underpinning their development and resilience, we performed a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis across nine developmental stages, spanning from the first instar larvae to adult forms. Utilizing differential expression analysis and time-series clustering, we identified 6834 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), uncovering key stage-specific expression patterns. Notably, 3072 stage-specific genes (SSGs) were defined using the Tau index, highlighting their roles in development and physiological adaptation. Functional enrichment revealed that the sixth instar stage prioritizes pathways related to growth and tissue remodeling, while adult males emphasize reproductive and sensory functions. Furthermore, we characterized 104 cytochrome P450 (P450) genes, showcasing distinct temporal expression patterns critical for detoxification and metabolic processes. A tandem array of P450 genes on chromosome 13 was identified, suggesting a coordinated mechanism enhancing insecticide resistance. Our findings highlight the complex genetic regulation that facilitates the developmental transitions and adaptive capabilities of S. frugiperda. These insights offer potential molecular targets for innovative pest management strategies aimed at mitigating the widespread impact of this pest. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Evolution and Resistance Mechanisms in Agricultural Pest Management)
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