Search Results (82)

Trichogramma wasps are highly effective biological control agents, offering an environmentally sustainable solution for pest management through their parasitism of insect eggs. This study evaluates the parasitism performance of six Trichogramma species—T. dendrolimi, T. chilonis, T. leucaniae, T. ostriniae, T. japonicum, and T. pretiosum—on five treatments of Eri silkworm (ES) eggs, a potential alternative to the large eggs of Antheraea pernyi for mass rearing. The ES egg treatments included the following: manually extracted, unfertilized, and washed eggs (MUW); naturally laid, unfertilized, and washed eggs (NUW); naturally laid, unfertilized, and unwashed eggs (NUUW); naturally laid, fertilized, and washed eggs (NFW); and naturally laid, fertilized, and unwashed eggs (NFUW). The results demonstrate that all Trichogramma species, except T. japonicum, successfully parasitized ES eggs across all treatments. Notably, washed eggs consistently supported higher parasitism and emergence rates compared to unwashed eggs, while unfertilized eggs outperformed fertilized eggs in these metrics. Among the treatments, unfertilized and washed eggs (MUW and NUW) exhibited the shortest pre-emergence time and the highest number of emerged adults, with no significant differences in female progeny ratios across most species. A striking exception was T. dendrolimi, which showed a significantly higher female offspring ratio in the MUW treatment. These findings highlight that MUW eggs of ES are a highly suitable alternative host for the mass production of Trichogramma wasps. This study provides critical insights for optimizing host egg treatments to enhance the efficiency of Trichogramma-based biological control programs. Full article

The spread of invasive pests can exacerbate the threat of pest stress to agricultural production. Screening natural antifeedants from the secondary metabolites of plants may provide efficient alternative control methods for the integrated management of invasive pests. Therefore, in this study, the three phenolic substances were evenly mixed with the artificial diet at mass ratios of 1:200 and 1:40, respectively. The treatment groups were labeled as follows: vanillic acid (Va1: 1:200, Va2: 1:40), sinapic acid (Si1: 1:200, Si2: 1:40), and syringic acid (Sy1: 1:200, Sy2: 1:40). Subsequently, the feed intake, body weight, protein content, and digestive enzyme activity of the S. frugiperda feeding were measured. This research was extended to the pupal and adult stages, focusing on pupation rate, pupal weight, adult emergence rate, and adult longevity. The results showed that the food intake and body weight of the 4th–6th instars of S. frugiperda decreased significantly after feeding on the different ratios of phenolic substances. Although the protein accumulation of the 4th–5th-instar larvae was inhibited, the protein content of the 6th-instar larvae showed significant accumulation, with that of the Va2 and Sy1 treatment groups being 124.84% and 165.07% of that of the control, respectively. At the same time, the trypsin activity of the 4th–6th-instar larvae in different treatment groups significantly increased, while the activities of pepsin and α-amylase fluctuated but overall showed an increasing trend. The interference of vanillic acid, sinapic acid, and syringic acid on the digestion and absorption of the larvae limited the pupation rate but did not have a significant effect on the pupal weight. All three phenolic substances reduced the adult emergence rate, but unlike the sinapic acid and syringic acid treatments, vanillic acid also had a negative impact on adult longevity. These results can provide material reserves for the development of antifeedants for S. frugiperda, and can also provide optimal plans for its ecofriendly prevention and control. Full article

Overusing chemicals to manage Diaphorina citri has created insecticide resistance and negative impacts on the natural ecosystem. This has prompted the need to develop new methods of control. In the present study, we evaluated the toxicity of plant spray oil, Metarhizium anisopliae, and their combined formulations against D. citri adults through laboratory bioassays. We tested varying concentrations and application doses of the individual agents and their mixtures to determine synergistic effects. The optimal mixing ratio of M. anisopliae and plant spray oil for enhanced pest control efficacy was also identified. The results showed that the control effect of plant spray oil and M. anisopliae on D. citri became more pronounced as the concentration increased. When the two were mixed in different proportions, the synergistic effect of plant spray oil was the strongest when the mixing ratio was 5:5. Field trials demonstrated that a combined treatment of plant spray oil emulsion (9.10 g/L) and M. anisopliae (1 × 10⁸ spores/mL) achieved over 80% relative control efficacy against adult D. citri by the 6th day post-treatment. Its efficacy further increased to 96.28% by the 8th day, demonstrating its potential to replace chemical control methods. This study provides a practical example for exploring biopesticides and leveraging the synergistic effects of biogenic pesticides in preventing and controlling pests. Full article

Jasmonates have emerged as a prominent elicitor for enhancing trichome development and cannabinoid production in Cannabis sativa L. (cannabis). These glandular trichomes synthesize and store important cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which determine the yield, potency, and quality of cannabis flowers. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) acts through the COI1–JAZ–MYC signaling pathway to upregulate genes associated with trichome initiation and cannabinoid precursor formation. Evidence suggests that moderate MeJA concentrations (typically 50–100 µM) can effectively boost trichome density, elevate hexanoyl-CoA availability, and modestly enhance key biosynthetic enzyme activities, ultimately increasing THC and CBD content. However, higher methyl jasmonate doses can amplify these benefits, yet pose a risk of excessive vegetative stunting, highlighting the crucial trade-off between enhancing cannabinoid potency and maintaining overall biomass yield. Interaction with hormones like gibberellins, salicylic acid, and ethylene further shapes the plant’s stress responses and secondary metabolism. Application in controlled environments, such as greenhouses or vertical farms, shows promise for enhancing resin production while minimizing biomass loss. In outdoor conditions, the application may offer additional defense benefits against pests and pathogens. These responses can vary depending on the cultivar, underscoring the importance of cultivar-specific optimization. As demand for high-cannabinoid cannabis products continues to grow and agrochemical options remain limited, leveraging MeJA treatments offers a practical, non-genetically modified approach to optimize yield, quality, and resilience in cannabis cultivation. Full article

The Pistoia Mountains exhibit a great variety of flora, particularly rich in aromatic plants, such as juniper, mint, savory, helichrysum, and thyme. Thyme is especially notable for its essential oil, typically displaying high thymol and carvacrol content. While the chemotype of thyme determined by its specific terpene composition is genetically controlled, environmental factors, plant age, and seasonality can influence terpene production. This article investigates the morpho-chemical variability of wild thyme plants collected from two different regions of the Pistoia Mountains, identifying five distinct chemotypes. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique was used to characterize the chemical profiles and determine the seasonal variation in terpene production, identifying spring and summer as the balsamic period, the optimal time for essential oil collection. Furthermore, high-value thyme clones were preserved through in vitro micropropagation, ensuring chemotype stability. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of wild thyme biodiversity and provide a foundation for practical applications, including the development of value-added products like herb-infused cheeses, plant and animal disease treatments, and integrated pest management strategies in agricultural systems. Full article

Stored grain pests cause significant economic losses during cereal grain storage. Insecticides have long been central to pest control; however, growing concerns over resistance, environmental harm, and human health demand alternative strategies. Diatomaceous earth (DE) treatments are a safe, eco-friendly alternative to insecticides, although their efficacy depends on the temperature, humidity, dose, and insect species. This study assessed the insecticidal effects of two natively-sourced raw (Ankara and Aydin) and one commercial (Silico-Sec) DE treatments against the key pest species Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Sitophilus granarius (L.) on stored wheat. Five doses (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 ppm) of each DE treatment were tested under two temperatures (25 °C and 30 °C) and two humidity levels (40% and 60%). Mortality was assessed at 7, 14, and 21 days after treatment (DAT). All DE treatments caused higher mortality in S. granarius than R. dominica. The highest mortality occurred in S. granarius at 30 °C and 40% RH with the highest dose. Aydin DE was most effective, but did not reach 100% mortality in S. granarius by 21 DAT. In contrast, it caused 100% mortality in R. dominica under the same conditions. There was no F₁ progeny produced by surviving individuals of both species. Given the similarity of the environmental conditions to the optimal conditions for DE efficacy present in Turkish storage facilities, natively sourced Aydin DE is a promising control option. Full article

Pest control in industrial buildings, such as silos and storage facilities, is critical for maintaining food safety and economic stability. Traditional methods like fumigation face challenges, including insect resistance and environmental concerns, prompting the need for alternative approaches. Heat treatments have emerged as an effective and eco-friendly solution, but optimizing their duration and efficiency remains a challenge. This study leverages machine learning (ML) to predict the duration of heat treatments required for effective pest control in various industrial buildings. Using a dataset of 1423 heat treatment time series collected from IoT devices, we applied exploratory data analysis (EDA) and ML models, including random forest, XGBoost, ridge regression, and support vector regression (SVR), to predict the time needed to reach 50 °C, a critical threshold for pest mortality. Results revealed significant variations in treatment effectiveness based on building type, geographical location, and ambient temperature. XGBoost and random forest models outperformed others, achieving high predictive accuracy. The findings highlight the importance of tailored heat treatment protocols and the potential of data-driven approaches to optimize pest control strategies, reduce energy consumption, and improve operational efficiency in industrial settings. This study underscores the value of integrating IoT and ML for real-time monitoring and adaptive control in pest management. Full article

The biotechnological applications of chitinases are diverse. They are used in industrial sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, and agriculture, including the use of recombinant chitinases for pest control, since traditional treatments affect and contaminate hive products. Bacillus licheniformis UV01 bacterium is of interest, as it expresses genes for different enzymes, including chitinase. The Chibluv01 gene was cloned into the pHTP8 vector with a His/tag for purification using affinity chromatography. It showed a specific activity of 115 U/m. The optimal pH and temperature were 7.5 and 42 °C, respectively. The choleoptericidal activity (ability to kill beetles) of the enzyme was evaluated in the larvae and adult beetles of Aethina tumida treated with immersion in a purified enzyme extract at different concentrations, and the mortality was verified at 24, 48, and 72 h. Within 24 h of application, the mortality increased by 50% in the larval stage and 56.6% in adult beetles compared to the control groups. The LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ were obtained: 104.05 U/mL and 234.36 U/mL in larvae and 92.99 U/mL and 211.14 U/mL in adults, respectively. These results indicate the potential of the application of ChiBlUV02 chitinase in pest control. Full article

Slugs are significant agricultural pests, causing extensive crop damage and economic losses. While chemical molluscicides are commonly used for control, concerns about their environmental impact have driven interest in alternative methods, including beer traps. This study evaluated the effectiveness of different beer types as attractants for slug trapping in field conditions over two consecutive years (2022–2023). Five types of beer—Union Lager, Paulaner Weissbier, BrewDog Punk IPA, Guinness Draught, and Chimay Blue—were tested alongside ethanol (10%) and a control treatment. The results demonstrated that Paulaner Weissbier and Union Lager were the most effective attractants, followed by Guinness Draught and Chimay Blue, while BrewDog Punk IPA had moderate effectiveness. Ethanol (10%) and the control treatment failed to attract slugs, confirming that volatile compounds, rather than alcohol alone, drive slug attraction. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed that Paulaner Weissbier contained high levels of isoamyl acetate and limonene, while Union Lager exhibited elevated ethyl esters, which likely contributed to their effectiveness. Environmental factors influenced slug activity, with higher temperatures correlating with increased slug capture rates, while precipitation had no significant effect. These findings highlight the role of fermentation-derived volatile compounds in slug attraction and suggest that optimizing beer traps based on beer composition and environmental conditions could improve their effectiveness as a non-chemical slug control method. Future research should explore the long-term stability of beer attractants, the potential of synthetic formulations, and alternative yeast-based attractants to enhance slug management strategies. Full article

Bacillus thuringiensis is widely utilized as a microbial insecticide due to its production of parasporal crystals during the spore-forming stage. However, lower fermentation efficiency coupled with elevated production costs limit its broad application. Low-frequency ultrasound (LFU) has been employed in the fermentation industry to enhance microbial growth and metabolism. In this study, the effect of LFU on the growth of B. thuringiensis HD1 and the yields of parasporal crystals was investigated. The maximum biomass accumulation of Bacillus thuringiensis and parasporal crystal production yield were achieved following low-frequency ultrasonic (LFU) treatment applied during the logarithmic growth phase (18 h of cultivation) under optimized parameters: a frequency of 40 kHz, a power output of 176 W, and an irradiation duration of 45 min. Under optimal conditions, LFU significantly increased the cell membrane permeability and secretory inositol, favoring cell growth and parasporal crystal production. FESEM/CLSM and TEM analyses visually displayed the changes in cell morphology. In addition, the germination rate of spores was increased after LFU treatment, which further confirmed the positive effect of LFU on the growth of B. thuringiensis. Compared to the control, parasporal crystals harvested under LFU exhibited significant modifications in their physicochemical characteristics; the particle size increased, the surface electronegativity intensified, and there was a morphological transition from spherical to cubic geometry. Importantly, the parasporal crystals exhibited strong insecticidal activity against S. zeamais adults, a typical stored-product insect pest, with an LC₅₀ of 10.795 mg/g on day 14 and a Kt₅₀ of 4.855 days at a concentration of 30 mg/g. These findings will provide new insights into the product development and application of B. thuringiensis in the future. Full article

Climate change is projected to increase global temperatures and alter rainfall patterns. In Peru, these changes could adversely affect the central basin of the Huallaga River by increasing pest and disease incidence, evapotranspiration, and water consumption. This basin is one of the country’s main rice-producing regions, where the crop is traditionally cultivated using inefficient practices, such as continuous flood irrigation. This study evaluated the effects of different irrigation management strategies on the growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa var. INIA 516 LM1-La Unión 23), the water footprint as an indicator of water use efficiency, and the incidence of pests and diseases associated with irrigation regimes. Three irrigation treatments were implemented: Traditional flooding T1 (maintenance of a 0.15 m water layer with replenishment every 4 days), Optimized flooding T2 (replenishment every 7 days), and Intermittent rainfed irrigation T3 (replenishment every 14 days). Although no significant differences were observed in biometric parameters, yield, or pest and disease incidence, a trend of decreasing yield with longer irrigation intervals was noted: traditional flooding (7.91 t∙ha⁻¹) > reduced flooding (7.82 t∙ha⁻¹) > intermittent rainfed (7.14 t∙ha⁻¹). The incidence of white leaf virus and Burkholderia glumae was highest in the intermittent rainfed treatment, followed by optimized flooding, with the lowest incidence in traditional flooding. Yield reduction and the use of rainwater to cover water requirements resulted in a lower total water footprint for traditional flooding (834.0 m³∙t⁻¹), followed by optimized flooding (843.6 m³∙t⁻¹) and intermittent rainfed (923.9 m³∙t⁻¹). This reflects an improvement in rainwater use efficiency. The findings suggest intermittent rainfed irrigation enhances water use efficiency without significantly compromising rice yield or increasing disease incidence in rice var. INIA 516 LM1-La Unión 23 in the central basin of the Huallaga River. Full article

Artificial diets applied in the mass-rearing propagation of H. axyridis can improve reproductive ability by optimizing the feeding formula. This study used transcriptome data to investigate the effects of various artificial diets on the growth and development of H. axyridis. Results indicate that spawning increased with the low-fat and JH III-supplemented artificial diet (Diet 3). Furthermore, the highest glycogen content found in Diet 3 was significantly different from the other two groups. Triglyceride content decreased as adult feeding time increased in the three artificial diet groups, with the fastest decrease observed in the low-fat diet (Diet 2). Protein content increased gradually in the high-fat diet (Diet 1) group compared to the other treatment groups. The adults reared on low-fat artificial diets, when compared to those on artificial diets supplemented with juvenile hormones at the transcriptome level, were found to have upregulated genes enriched in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, ribosome biogenesis, and the hedgehog signaling pathway. In contrast, the genes upregulated in the latter group were enriched in oxidative phosphorylation, amino acid biosynthesis, and the metabolism of other amino acids. The results suggest that nutritional status significantly affects the growth and development of H. axyridis and has practical implications for the artificial feeding of natural pest enemies. Full article

The growing demand for agricultural products has led to the misuse of pesticides, resulting in the use of higher concentrations of these substances. This has led to an increase in toxicity imposed on other beneficial organisms and to the bioaccumulation of toxic pesticide concentrations in the bodies of both pests and non-target organisms, as well as in their end users, including humans. In this study, the neurotoxic potential of the commonly used pesticides abamectin (an insecticide) and boscalid (a fungicide) was evaluated. Both in vitro and in silico studies showed that human butyrylcholinesterase is not a target for abamectins B1A and B1B. Boscalid showed a modest Glide score (−28.8 kJ/mol) and a considerably higher IC₅₀ (308.8 µM) against human butyrylcholinesterase than the approved inhibitor (2-((1-(benzenesulfonyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)ethyl)(benzyl)amine (IC₅₀ = 0.473 µM). However, due to its non-mutagenicity and low toxicity, structural analogues of boscalid might be considered as candidates for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Molecular dynamics simulations over 100 ns confirmed the stability of boscalid within the active site of butyrylcholinesterase, where it maintained key interactions with catalytic residues such as Trp82 and His438. These findings highlight its potential as a starting point for structure-based drug design strategies aimed at optimizing cholinesterase inhibitors with improved pharmacokinetic properties. According to absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and toxicity studies, boscalid is orally active, which cannot be attributed to abamectins B1A and B1B. Full article

Organic agriculture has few tools against pests and diseases and is constantly looking for effective and sustainable products such as geomaterials, i.e., zeolite. This study evaluates the physiological and morphological responses of olive plants (Olea europaea) to foliar applications of different geo-materials, specifically kaolin, natural zeolite, and ammonium-enriched zeolite. The research examines leaf anatomical modifications, including internal tissue structures, trichome and stomatal density, chlorophyll content, and gas exchange parameters, alongside the impact on fruit development and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) quality. Results indicate that kaolin application negatively influenced transpiration and stomatal conductance, an effect corroborated by increased xylem vessel wall thickness. However, the reduction in stomatal conductance was attributed to a functional rather than morphological adaptation, as no significant changes in stomatal density or size were observed. Both geo-material treatments altered leaf surface properties, particularly peltate trichome characteristics. Notably, ammonium-enriched zeolite application enhanced photosynthetic rate during early olive development, likely due to its nutritional role, and contributed to increased fruit size and oil yield. These findings highlight the potential of geo-material-based foliar treatments as an effective strategy to optimize plant physiological performance and improve olive oil production in sustainable agricultural systems. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable agricultural practices requires the search for innovative solutions to improve crop yield and quality. This study investigated the soil-specific effects of the bio-growth regulator Supporter on seed potato yield and quality in different potato varieties, with the aim of unlocking its sustainable potential under different environmental conditions. Field trials were conducted on several soil types using the bio-growth stimulator Supporter at a rate of 300 mL per hectare. Standardized agronomic practices, including continuous fertilization, weed control, and pest control, were applied at all test sites to ensure comparability. The results showed that the use of the bio-growth stimulator Supporter significantly increased tuber yield and quality, especially in soils with moderate fertility levels. In the treatments, with the Supporter biostimulator, there was better tuber size uniformity and a higher fraction and number of seed potato. A higher average seed potato mass and higher multiplication coefficient were observed. The effectiveness of the Supporter varied across study locations and soil types, with sandy and sandy loam soils showing the most pronounced benefits, while clay soils showed more limited responses. The results underscore the potential of the Supporter as a sustainable tool for increasing potato seed production, while also emphasizing the need for soil-specific recommendations. This study highlights the importance of integrating growth regulators into precision agriculture to optimize crop performance and support global food security goals. Therefore, further research is needed on the use of biostimulants, which will allow us to understand the purpose of their action, which is important in agricultural practice. Full article