Strategies for Pest and Pesticide Management in Crop Production

Dear Colleagues,

We are seeking scholarly articles and research papers that explore sustainable pest management strategies in agricultural systems, with a particular emphasis on alternatives to conventional synthetic pesticides. While synthetic chemicals have long been the primary method of pest control, their overuse has led to significant challenges, including pesticide resistance, non-target effects on beneficial organisms, environmental contamination, and increasing regulatory restrictions, particularly in organic farming systems.

We are especially interested in research focused on natural product-based integrated pest management (IPM) approaches. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Development and application of botanical compounds and plant-derived essential oils with insecticidal, repellent, or antifeedant properties;
• Use of semiochemicals—such as pheromones and allomones—to disrupt pest behavior, facilitate mass trapping, or enhance crop protection through “push–pull” strategies;
• Field-tested solutions that demonstrate reduced pesticide usage while maintaining or improving crop yield and quality;
• Techniques that are compatible with organic production standards and promote biodiversity and ecosystem health. 

We welcome your contributions addressing these and other related topics. We hope that this Topic will expand and explore new areas both within and beyond the field of integrated pesticide management.

Prof. Dr. Vonnie Shields
Dr. Alan Lee Knight
Topic Editors