Search Results (444)

As agricultural land continues to expand, the conversion of forests to farmland has intensified, significantly altering the structure and function of agroecosystems. However, the dynamic ecological responses and their interactions with economic outcomes remain insufficiently modeled. This study proposes an integrated framework that combines a dynamic food web model with the Eco-Economic Benefit and Sustainability (EEBS) model, utilizing empirical data from Brazil and Ghana. A system of ordinary differential equations solved using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method was employed to simulate species interactions and energy flows under various land management strategies. Reintroducing key species (e.g., the seven-spot ladybird and ragweed) improved ecosystem stability to over 90%, with soil fertility recovery reaching 95%. In herbicide-free scenarios, introducing natural predators such as bats and birds mitigated disturbances and promoted ecological balance. Using XGBoost (Extreme Gradient Boosting) to analyze 200-day community dynamics, pest control, resource allocation, and chemical disturbance were identified as dominant drivers. EEBS-based multi-scenario optimization revealed that organic farming achieves the highest alignment between ecological restoration and economic benefits. The model demonstrated strong predictive power ($R^2$ = 0.9619, RMSE = 0.0330), offering a quantitative basis for green agricultural transitions and sustainable agroecosystem management. Full article

The widespread use of pesticides in modern agriculture has significantly enhanced food production by managing pests and diseases; however, their degradation in soil can lead to unintended consequences for soil fertility and nutrient cycling. This review explores the mechanisms of pesticide degradation, both abiotic and biotic, and the soil factors influencing these processes. It critically examines how degradation products impact soil microbial communities, organic matter decomposition, and key nutrient cycles, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. This review highlights emerging evidence linking pesticide residues with altered enzymatic activity, disrupted microbial populations, and reduced nutrient bioavailability, potentially compromising soil structure, water retention, and long-term productivity. Additionally, it discusses the broader environmental and agricultural implications, including decreased crop yields, biodiversity loss, and groundwater contamination. Sustainable management strategies such as bioremediation, the use of biochar, eco-friendly pesticides, and integrated pest management (IPM) are evaluated for mitigating these adverse effects. Finally, this review outlines future research directions emphasizing long-term studies, biotechnology innovations, and predictive modeling to support resilient agroecosystems. Understanding the intricate relationship between pesticide degradation and soil health is crucial to ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security. Full article

Weed management remains a critical challenge in the U.S. container ornamental production industry, where weeds not only compete with crops for limited resources but also harbor pests and pathogens, thereby diminishing plant quality and marketability. The paper explores the economic impact of weed infestations, herbicide resistance development, and the limited availability of selective herbicides for ornamental crops in the United States. This review synthesizes current chemical weed control tactics, focusing not only on both preemergence and postemergence herbicides commonly used in ornamental nurseries, but also organic alternatives and integrated weed management (IWM) approaches as complementary strategies by evaluating their effectiveness, crop safety, and usage. There is a critical need for research in the areas of alternative chemical options such as insecticides, miticides (e.g., Zerotol and Tetra Curb Max), and organic products for liverwort control in greenhouses. Although essential oils and plant-based extracts show some potential, their effectiveness and practical use remain largely unexplored. Full article

Sustainable farmland management is vital for global food security and for mitigating environmental degradation and climate change. While individual practices such as crop rotation and no-tillage are well-documented, this review synthesizes current evidence to illuminate the critical synergistic effects of integrating four key strategies: crop rotation, conservation tillage, organic amendments, and soil microbiome management. Crop rotation enhances nutrient cycling and disrupts pest cycles, while conservation tillage preserves soil structure, reduces erosion, and promotes carbon sequestration. Organic amendments replenish soil organic matter and stimulate biological activity, and a healthy soil microbiome boosts plant resilience to stress and enhances nutrient acquisition through key functional groups like arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs). Critically, the integration of these practices yields amplified benefits that far exceed their individual contributions. Integrated management systems not only significantly increase crop yields (by up to 15–30%) and soil organic carbon but also deliver profound global ecosystem services, with a potential to sequester 2.17 billion tons of CO₂ and reduce soil erosion by 2.41 billion tons annually. Despite challenges such as initial yield variability, leveraging these synergies through precision agriculture represents the future direction for the field. This review concludes that a holistic, systems-level approach is essential for building regenerative and climate-resilient agroecosystems. Full article

The European honey bee (Apis mellifera) significantly contributes to Australian agriculture, especially in honey production and the pollination of key crops. However, managed bee populations are declining due to pathogens, agrochemicals, poor forage, climate change, and habitat loss. Major threats include bacteria, fungi, mites, and pests. With the increasing demand for pollination and the movement of bee colonies, monitoring these threats is essential. It has been demonstrated that honey constitutes an easily accessible source of environmental DNA. Environmental DNA in honey comes from all organisms that either directly or indirectly aid in its production and those within the hive environments. In this study, we extracted eDNA from 135 honey samples and tested for the presence of DNA for seven key honey bee pathogens and pests—Paenibacillus larvae, Melissococcus plutonius (bacterial pathogens), Nosema apis, Nosema ceranae (microsporidian fungi), Ascosphaera apis (fungal pathogen), Aethina tumida, and Galleria mellonella (arthropod pests) by using end-point singleplex and multiplex PCR assays. N. ceranae emerged as the most prevalent pathogen, present in 57% of the samples. This was followed by the pests A. tumida (40%) and G. mellonella (37%), and the pathogens P. larvae (21%), N. apis (19%), and M. plutonius (18%). A. apis was detected in a smaller proportion of the samples, with a prevalence of 5%. Additionally, 19% of the samples tested negative for all pathogens and pests analysed. The data outlines essential information about the prevalence of significant arthropod, fungal, and bacterial pathogens and pests affecting honey bees in Australia, which is crucial for protecting the nation’s beekeeping industry. Full article

Protecting the soil ecosystem’s functioning is one of the main goals of recent regulations of chemicals. It is important to take soil biodiversity into account when designing cropping systems and measuring their impacts. Our main objective was to evaluate the effects of an organic amendment on soil nematode biodiversity compared to two years of fumigation. The plot-trial was conducted on tomato and lettuce plants under greenhouse, and free-living nematodes were used as bio-indicators of soil health. Treatments included a soil fumigant (applied once or twice over time), water control, and an organic substance. Soil samplings were carried out to determine the Meloidogyne incognita reproduction factor and the soil nematode community analysis using soil biological indicators. Data showed that soil fumigation clearly made the soil increasingly dependent on chemicals. Furthermore, fumigants suppressed pests and pathogens as well as their natural antagonists, causing a lack of biodiversity. While soils treated with organic matter respond slowly to stressors, they are progressively more suppressive thanks to biodiversity enrichment. Nematodes have proven to be useful indicators of the soil biota in response to biotic or abiotic disturbances. Their species richness and functional diversity make them valid bioindicators of soil management impact. Full article

Tomicus yunnanensis Kirkendall and Faccoli, a native bark beetle species and key pest of Pinus yunnanensis Franch. in southwestern China, relies on host-derived volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for host selection. To unravel these mechanisms, we collected VOCs from P. yunnanensis trunks across four infestation stages (healthy, early-infested, weakened, near-dead) using dynamic headspace sampling. Chemical profiling via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 51 terpenoids, with α-pinene as the most abundant component. VOC profiles differed markedly between healthy and early-infested trees, while gradual shifts in compound diversity and abundance occurred from the weakened to near-dead stages. Bioactive compounds were screened using gas chromatography–electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and a Y-tube olfactometer. Electrophysiological responses in T. yunnanensis were triggered by α-pinene, β-pinene, 3-carene, 2-thujene, and 4-allylanisole. Behavioral tests revealed that α-pinene, 3-carene, and 2-thujene acted as attractants, whereas β-pinene and 4-allylanisole functioned as repellents. These results indicate that infestation-induced VOC dynamics guide beetle behavior, with attractants likely promoting host colonization during early infestation and repellents signaling deteriorating host suitability in later stages. By mapping these chemical interactions, our study identifies potential plant-derived semiochemicals for targeted pest management. Integrating these compounds with pheromones could enhance the monitoring and control strategies for T. yunnanensis, offering ecologically sustainable solutions for pine ecosystems. Full article

Spodoptera frugiperda is a major agricultural pest worldwide, causing significant economic loss to maize crops. Its control largely depends on synthetic pesticides, which contribute to resistance development, harm non-target organisms, and lead to environmental degradation. Essential oils and their main components offer a more sustainable and ecologically sound alternative for the management of S. frugiperda. This study evaluated the effects of selected essential oils and their bioactive compounds on the survival and behavior of S. frugiperda using toxicity and preference assays. Peppermint essential oil and its major constituent, pulegone, significantly reduced the survival of S. frugiperda, with effects similar to those caused by synthetic insecticides. Eucalyptus essential oil and its main compound, 1,8-cineole, also influenced the behavior of S. frugiperda, suggesting potential for use in repellents. These findings highlight the use of essential oils and their main constituents/active constituents as bioinsecticides and their integration into environmentally friendly pest management strategies. Full article

A VOC-contaminated shallow aquifer in an industrial site was investigated to evaluate its potential for natural attenuation. The shallow groundwater aquifer beneath the industrial site has been contaminated by dissolved volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as trichloroethylene (TCE), cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (cis-DCE), and vinyl chloride (VC) for more than three decades. Monitoring and investigation were implemented during 2011–2024, aiming to propose future groundwater aquifer management strategies. This study included groundwater borehole investigation, well installation monitoring, hydraulic head measurements, slug tests, groundwater samplings, and microbial analyses. Microbial investigations identified the predominant group of microorganisms of Proteobacteria, indicating biodegradation potential, as demonstrated by the presence of cis-DCE and VC. BIOSCREEN was used to evaluate the process of natural attenuation, incorporating site-specific parameters. A two-layer groundwater flow model was developed using MODFLOW with hydraulic conductivities obtained from slug tests. The site has an average hydraulic head of 259.6 m amsl with a hydraulic gradient of 0.026, resulting in an average groundwater flow velocity of 11 m/y. Hydraulic conductivities were estimated during model calibration using the PEST pilot point technique. A reactive transport model, RT3D, was used to simulate dissolved TCE transport over 30 years, which can undergo sorption as well as biodegradation. Model calibration demonstrated a satisfactory fit between observed and simulated groundwater heads with a root mean square error of 0.08 m and a correlation coefficient (r) between measured and simulated heads of 0.81, confirming the validity of the hydraulic conductivity distribution. The TCE plume continuously degraded and gradually migrated southward, generating a cis-DCE plume. The concentrations in both plumes decreased toward the end of the simulation period at Source 1 (located upstream), while BIOSCREEN results confirmed ongoing natural attenuation primarily by biodegradation. The integrated MODFLOW-RT3D-BIOSCREEN approach effectively evaluated VOC attenuation and plume migration. However, future remediation strategies should consider enhanced bioremediation to accelerate contaminant degradation at Source 2 and ensure long-term groundwater quality. Full article

Integrating organic soil amendments such as vermicompost (VC) and vermicompost tea (VCT) in agriculture has received increasing attention as a sustainable strategy to improve soil fertility, enhance plant growth, and suppress pest infestations. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying concentrations of VCT (10%, 20%, and 40%), alone and in combination with VC (2.47 ton/ha), on the development and yield of corn (Zea mays), and suppression of fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) infestation. The experiment was conducted in seven raised beds with seven treatments: V0 (control), VCT10, VCT20, VCT40, VC1 + VCT10, VC1 + VCT20, and VC1 + VCT40. Six weekly applications of VCT were applied starting at the V2 stage, and soil and plant nutrient contents were determined post-harvest. Additionally, relative chlorophyll content, height, cob yield, dry biomass, and FAW infestations were assessed. Results show that both VC and VCT significantly enhanced soil nutrient content compared to the control treatment (V0). VCT20 and VC1 + VCT10 improved plant N, K, and micronutrient uptake. Corn treated with VCT10 and VC1 + VCT10 had the highest biomass (6.52 and 6.57 tons/ha, respectively), while VCT20 produced the highest cob yield (6.0 tons/ha), which was more than eight times that of V0. SPAD values and corn height were significantly high across all treatments, with VCT20 achieving the highest SPAD readings while the control achieved the lowest. For FAW infestation, the control treatment experienced moderate infestation. At the same time, there was complete suppression in VCT20 and VCT40 treatments and a reduction in VC + VCT treatments, likely due to the bioactive compounds and beneficial microbes in VC and VCT that strengthened plant immunity. The results suggest that VCT20 is a cost-effective, eco-friendly amendment for improving corn performance and FAW resistance. This study contributes to sustainable agriculture by demonstrating how organic amendments can enhance crop resilience while supporting environmentally friendly farming practices. Full article

Heortia vitessoides Moore (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the dominant outbreak defoliator of Aquilaria sinensis (Myrtales: Thymelaeaceae, the agarwood-producing tree), poses a severe threat to the sustainable development of the agarwood industry. Current research has preliminarily revealed its biological traits and gene functions. However, significant gaps persist in integrating climate adaptation mechanisms, control technologies, and host interaction networks across disciplines. This review systematically synthesizes the multidimensional mechanisms underlying H. vitessoides outbreaks through the logical framework of “Fundamental Biology of Outbreaks—Environmental Drivers—Control Strategies—Molecular Regulation—Host Defense.” First, we integrate the biological characteristics of H. vitessoides with its climatic response patterns, elucidating the ecological pathways through which temperature and humidity drive population outbreaks by regulating development duration and host resource availability. Subsequently, we assess the efficacy and limitations of existing control techniques (e.g., pheromone trapping, Beauveria bassiana application), highlighting the critical bottleneck of insufficient mechanistic understanding at the molecular level. Building on this, we delve into the molecular adaptation mechanisms of H. vitessoides. Specifically, detoxification genes (e.g., HvGSTs1) and temperature stress-responsive genes (e.g., HvCAT, HvGP) synergistically enhance stress tolerance, while chemosensory genes mediate mating and host location behaviors. Concurrently, we reveal the host defense strategy of A. sinensis, involving activation of secondary metabolite defenses via the jasmonic acid signaling pathway and emission of volatile organic compounds that attract natural enemies—an “induced resistance–natural enemy collaboration” mechanism. Finally, we propose future research directions: deep integration of gene editing to validate key targets, multi-omics analysis to decipher the host–pest–natural enemy interaction network, and development of climate–gene–population dynamics models. These approaches aim to achieve precision control by bridging molecular mechanisms with environmental regulation. This review not only provides innovative pathways for managing H. vitessoides but also establishes a paradigm for cross-scale research on pests affecting high-value economic forests. Full article

Organic farming relies on sustainable, eco-friendly practices that promote soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Bioresources—derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms—are pivotal in replacing synthetic inputs with natural alternatives. This review presents an integrated analysis of bioresources, highlighting their classification, functionality, and role in organic systems through biofertilizers, biopesticides, organic amendments, and bioenergy. Despite their potential, challenges such as knowledge gaps, limited scalability, and technical constraints hinder their widespread adoption. The review emphasizes the ecological, economic, and social benefits of bioresource integration while identifying critical barriers and proposing strategic directions for research, policy, and practice. By addressing these gaps, bioresources can enhance nutrient cycling, pest management, and soil regeneration, offering a viable path toward sustainable agriculture. This synthesis supports the development of context-specific, circular, and resilient organic farming systems that align with global sustainability goals. Full article

Corymbia citriodora is a eucalypt tree of significant economic value due to its essential oils (EOs), rich in citronellal, citronellol, and other oxygenated monoterpenes with diverse biological activities. Its EOs show potential for the formulation of biopesticides with a lower impact on the environment and human health. This study evaluated the in vitro nematicidal activity of C. citriodora EOs, obtained from in vivo and in vitro grown plants, and their main volatile compounds against the pinewood nematode (PWN, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), a major phytosanitary threat. The impact of their main compounds on the environment and human health was assessed using available experimental data and predictions from specialized software. Citronellal and citronellol were the most active EO compounds and exhibited EC₅₀ values comparable to the pesticide emamectin benzoate (0.364 ± 0.009 mg/mL). They also displayed superior safety profiles, with reduced environmental persistence and toxicity to non-target organisms. Furthermore, C. citriodora shoots were efficiently propagated through an in vitro system and their volatile profile was characterized by a dominance of citronellal (64%), and citronellol (10%), which highlights their potential as a scalable and sustainable source of nematicidal compounds. Remarkably, the EO of C. citriodora in vitro shoots was strongly active against the PWN, exhibiting the lowest EC₅₀ (0.239 ± 0.002 mg/mL) obtained. These findings underline the viability of C. citriodora EOs as a promising alternative for sustainable pest management, addressing the urgent need for environmentally friendly and health-conscious biopesticides while providing a renewable approach to nematode control. Full article

With the sustainable increase in agricultural productivity, the need for safer, environmentally friendly pesticide alternatives is also growing. Metabolites of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes) are emerging as potential bioactive compounds for integrated pest and disease management. These compounds comprise amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, organic acids, phenolics, peptides, alkaloids, polyketides, and volatile organic compounds. The majority of them have insecticidal, fungicidal, and nematicidal activities. In this review, the classifications, biosynthetic pathways, and ecological functions of primary and secondary metabolites produced by microorganisms are discussed, including their mechanisms of action, ranging from competition to systemic acquired resistance in host plants. The article highlights the importance of microbial genera (viz., Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Trichoderma sp., Streptomyces sp., etc.) in making chemicals and biopesticides for crop defense. We present the possible applications of microbial biosynthesis strategies and synthetic biology tools in bioprocess development, covering recent innovations in formulation, delivery, and pathway engineering to enhance metabolite production. This review emphasizes the significance of microbial metabolites in improving the plant immunity, yield performance, reduction in pesticide application, and the sustainability of an ecological, sustainable, and resilient agricultural system. Full article

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is an important crop worldwide, due to its nutritional properties. It is well known as a rich source of vitamins (A, C, and D) and various minerals that are vital in human diets. The aim of this review was to explore the economic viability of organic fertilizers that improve growth, yield, and quality during pineapple production in Africa. This study was conducted through a comprehensive analysis of the literature from peer-reviewed journals. It was reviewed that organic fertilization is a general agricultural approach that prioritizes environmental sustainability, biodiversity, and soil health through the avoidance of chemicals, including inorganic fertilizers. It was also found that organic fertilizers can effectively improve growth performance, yield, and the quality of the pineapple fruit to levels comparable to those of the fruit grown using inorganic fertilizers. Subsistence and smallholder farmers have adopted organic fertilization more than commercial farmers. Various challenges, including high certification costs, limited market access, high operating costs, inadequate farmer training, and limited knowledge on producing fruit using organic fertilizers, have been reviewed. The potential for higher market prices for organically produced fruit was noted, together with the challenges. Despite higher market prices and environmental benefits from organic fertilization, the economic viability of organic fertilizers for pineapple production is constrained by other factors, such as pest management difficulties, as the policies of conservation agriculture limit the use of chemical pesticides or the introduction of alien species as biocontrol agents. Full article