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Applied Sciences
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Sustainable Strategies for Pest Management in Plants and Animals
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Sustainable Strategies for Pest Management in Plants and Animals

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2024 | Viewed by 9421

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Felix Nchu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, P.O. Box 1905, Bellville 7535, South Africa
Interests: biorational control of insects and ticks using arthropod-pathogenic fungi, fungal endophytes, semiochemicals, and herbal-based materials; cultivation of medicinal and nutraceutical plants; plant health; phytomedicine; sustainability analysis and environmental impact assessment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the need to grow more food increases, environmentally friendly protocols, products and strategies are urgently needed to achieve sustainable management of agricultural and medically important pests. Although some ground-breaking research ideas have been studied, and some biorational pest management technologies have been successfully developed and commercialised, the commercial uptake of these technologies could be higher globally. This Special Issue allows investigators to collate high-quality review and research papers on sustainable pest management approaches, covering new scientific discoveries and applied aspects, including field, greenhouse, and predictive studies. The objective is to share new insights and data and enhance innovation in sustainable pest management.

Dr. Felix Nchu
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. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

  • microbial pesticides
  • parasitoids and predators for control of arthropod pests
  • plant-based pesticides
  • application of semiochemicals in the management of arthropod pest
  • ethnoveterinary medicine
  • genetic control of arthropod pests
  • integrated pest management of arthropod pests
  • life-cycle assessment of biorational pest control products
  • new technologies for the enhancement of biocontrol agents
  • cultural control of arthropod pests
  • quarantine procedures

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

5 pages, 608 KiB  
Editorial
Sustainable Biological Control of Pests: The Way Forward
by Felix Nchu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 2669; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14072669 - 22 Mar 2024
Viewed by 754
Abstract
Synthetic pesticides have been and are still the mainstay of pest management [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies for Pest Management in Plants and Animals)
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Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

16 pages, 2954 KiB  
Article
DNA Barcoding and Molecular Phylogenetics Revealed a New Cryptic Bamboo Aphid Species of the Genus Takecallis (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
by Karina Wieczorek and Natalia Sawka-Gądek
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(13), 7798; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13137798 - 1 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 974
Abstract
Takecallis nigroantennatus Wieczorek sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), associated with the cold hardy bamboo variety Fargesia spp. (Bambusoideae), is described and illustrated along with a key to species of the genus Takecallis. The results of a mitochondrial COI (DNA barcoding) and nuclear elongation factor [...] Read more.
Takecallis nigroantennatus Wieczorek sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), associated with the cold hardy bamboo variety Fargesia spp. (Bambusoideae), is described and illustrated along with a key to species of the genus Takecallis. The results of a mitochondrial COI (DNA barcoding) and nuclear elongation factor 1 (EF1α) gene sequences, which confirm the genetic difference of the new taxon from the other congeneric species, are provided. The possible way of introduction of this species to Europe is discussed with its new locality from Belgium. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies for Pest Management in Plants and Animals)
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17 pages, 4446 KiB  
Article
Comparative Insights into the Microbial Diversity and Community Structure of Striga hermonthica-Infested Maize Rhizosphere
by Olumayowa Mary Olowe, Ayansina Segun Ayangbenro, Akinlolu Olalekan Akanmu, Funso Raphael Kutu, Jude J. O. Odhiambo and Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(5), 3260; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13053260 - 3 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1715
Abstract
The damaging competition between crops and parasitic weeds has a negative impact on agricultural productivity; however, the impact of disturbance on the soil’s microbial community has received less attention. Hence, this study investigates the microbial composition and diversity of the maize rhizosphere infected [...] Read more.
The damaging competition between crops and parasitic weeds has a negative impact on agricultural productivity; however, the impact of disturbance on the soil’s microbial community has received less attention. Hence, this study investigates the microbial composition and diversity of the maize rhizosphere infected with Striga hermonthica using a shotgun sequencing approach from two maize-growing fields (Eruwa, Nigeria and Mbuzini, South Africa). The rhizosphere soil DNA was extracted from infested soil using a Nucleospin soil genomic DNA extraction kit and sequenced on an Illumina platform. The dominant phyla were Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Deinococcus-Thermus, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia, Chlorobi, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Nitrospirae, Thermotogae, Synergistetes, Ascomycota, Euryarchaeota, and Crenarchaeota. Bacteria phyla were observed to be of higher proportion in the rhizosphere soil samples obtained from Striga-infested maize field in Eruwa (Es) than those recovered from Mbuzini (Ms). The alpha diversity of microbial communities indicated insignificance differences (p > 0.05) between the five taxonomical groups (phylum, class, order, family, and genus), while the beta diversity produced a significant (p = 0.01, R = 0.52) difference in the microbial diversity of the infested soil. In summary, the study sheds light on the diversity and composition of the microbiome of Striga hermonthica-infested soil, which influences the microbial functions in the management and sustenance of plant health against parasitic weeds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies for Pest Management in Plants and Animals)
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Review

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29 pages, 1207 KiB  
Review
Current Status of the Main Olive Pests: Useful Integrated Pest Management Strategies and Genetic Tools
by Esther Lantero, Beatriz Matallanas and Carmen Callejas
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(21), 12078; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132112078 - 6 Nov 2023
Viewed by 2269
Abstract
Mediterranean olive cultivation faces challenges in the global environmental change context. Pests and diseases caused by arthropods such as Bactrocera oleae, Prays oleae, and certain vectors of Xylella fastidiosa are expected to increase and spread in part due to this global [...] Read more.
Mediterranean olive cultivation faces challenges in the global environmental change context. Pests and diseases caused by arthropods such as Bactrocera oleae, Prays oleae, and certain vectors of Xylella fastidiosa are expected to increase and spread in part due to this global scenario. The control of these arthropods has relied on synthetic pesticides, the misuse of which has led to pest population resistance and concerns about their negative impacts on biodiversity and global health. Integrated pest management (IPM) methods have emerged through the careful consideration of all available control techniques and the subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations. This paper reviews the IPM guidelines for olive cultivation, prioritizing the use of biological control methods, and the integration of genetics and biotechnology, which bring precision, efficacy, and safety. It evidences the importance of genetic analysis in pest populations, pesticide resistance and in the contributions of predators to pest control. Advances in formulations and delivery systems for pesticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis, plant-incorporated protectants, improved SIT techniques, and the specific efficacy of biologicals pesticides are covered. Finally, this paper explores promising tools such as RNAi and gene drive while recognizing the ethical, environmental, and regulatory challenges associated with their use. Shortly, these innovations have the potential to reduce the environmental impacts of pests while ensuring the long-term viability of the olive industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies for Pest Management in Plants and Animals)
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26 pages, 2459 KiB  
Review
Prospects of Computer-Aided Molecular Design of Coumarins as Ecotoxicologically Safe Plant Protection Agents
by Vesna Rastija, Karolina Vrandečić, Jasenka Ćosić, Gabriella Kanižai Šarić, Ivana Majić and Maja Karnaš
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(11), 6535; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13116535 - 27 May 2023
Viewed by 1340
Abstract
Coumarins are secondary plant metabolites widely distributed in higher plants, bacteria, fungi, and sponges. This great structural diversity of these natural compounds and their synthesized derivatives enables their wide range of pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant; antibacterial; antifungal; anti-human immunodeficiency infection; anti-tubercular; and [...] Read more.
Coumarins are secondary plant metabolites widely distributed in higher plants, bacteria, fungi, and sponges. This great structural diversity of these natural compounds and their synthesized derivatives enables their wide range of pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant; antibacterial; antifungal; anti-human immunodeficiency infection; anti-tubercular; and anti-cancer activities, which were very well reviewed previously. There are also many reports about their effectiveness against plant pathogenic pests (phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and insects). These secondary metabolites protect environmental enemies and competing plants. However, there is still limited literature on coumarins’ practical applications in agriculture, as well as their effects on beneficial populations of soil organisms. This review summarizes recent knowledge about the effects of natural and synthesized coumarins on phytopathogens and beneficial populations of soil organisms. A separate section is dedicated to poorly reviewed computer-aided molecular design (CAMD) methods of agrochemicals. It also reviewed CAMD techniques to develop low-toxicity and environmentally safe pesticides. Despite the many positive effects of coumarins related to plant protection, they do possess properties harmful to the environment and health. These properties are described in the last section. Prediction of coumarin hazardous properties using a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) approach was also reviewed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies for Pest Management in Plants and Animals)
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13 pages, 1539 KiB  
Review
Sustainable Agriculture through the Enhancement of Microbial Biocontrol Agents: Current Challenges and New Perspectives
by Arun Gokul, Jabulani Mabaso, Nontuthuko Henema, Laetitia Otomo, Olalekan Olanrewaju Bakare, Ashwil Klein, Augustine Innalegwu Daniel, Aina Omolola, Lee-Ann Niekerk, Mbukeni Nkomo and Marshall Keyster
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(11), 6507; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13116507 - 26 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1707
Abstract
The future of pesticide usage in agriculture is uncertain due to its unsustainability, adverse environmental impacts, and its association in enhanced phytopathogen resistance. Hence, this situation urges the development of new sustainable practices in agriculture. A promising approach involves endophytes, which are non-pathogenic [...] Read more.
The future of pesticide usage in agriculture is uncertain due to its unsustainability, adverse environmental impacts, and its association in enhanced phytopathogen resistance. Hence, this situation urges the development of new sustainable practices in agriculture. A promising approach involves endophytes, which are non-pathogenic microorganisms inhabiting the interior parts of plants. However, due to the vast diversity and complexity of plant microbiomes, a major gap has formed with regards to endophytic research and its application in phytopathogen biocontrol. The gap has mainly been increasing due to the difficulty of isolating underrepresented endophytes and due to limitation of previous genetic tools availability to further research and understand plant-microbe interaction, endophytic biocontrol capabilities and their biocontrol compounds. This review highlights the current challenges being encountered in this research field. Additionally, the research advances through utilization of specialized techniques (CRISPR/Cas9 system, nanoparticles and multi-omics) are highlighted to assist in elucidating the mechanism revolving around plant-microbe interactions and to generate model systems demonstrating improved biocontrol capabilities of endophytes. The ultimate goal of this review is to provide improved approaches that could be implement in an array of microorganism that will enhance the phytopathogen biocontrol field in order to create a sustainable agricultural sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies for Pest Management in Plants and Animals)
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