Alternative Control Methods Research Articles

Comparative macrolide use in humans and animals: should macrolides be moved off the World Health Organisation's critically important antimicrobial list?

Macrolide antibiotics are categorized by the WHO as Highest Priority, Critically Important Antimicrobials due to their recommendation as treatment for severe cases of campylobacteriosis in humans; a self-limiting, rarely life-threatening, zoonotic foodborne infection. Low rates of macrolide resistance in Campylobacter jejuni and the availability of alternative treatments have prompted some regulatory schemes to assign macrolides to a lower importance category. Apart from rare, specific infections, macrolides largely play a supportive role to other drug classes in human medicine. By contrast, although the advent of alternative control methods has seen significant reductions in macrolide use in intensive livestock, they still have a crucial role in the treatment/control of respiratory infections and liver abscesses in cattle. Whilst acknowledging that ongoing surveillance is required to reduce the spread of recently emerged, transferable macrolide resistance among Campylobacter, this article recommends that macrolides should be moved to the WHO Highly Important category.

New thinking for filth fly control: residual, non-chemical wall spray from volcanic glass.

Filth flies are of medical and veterinary importance because of the transfer of disease organisms to animals and humans. The traditional control methods include the use of chemical insecticides. A novel mechanical insecticide made from volcanic glass and originally developed to control mosquitoes (Imergard™ WP; ImG) was investigated for control of adult grey flesh flies, Sarcophaga bullata (Parker), secondary screwworms, Cochliomyia macellaria (F.), and house flies, Musca domestica L. In a modified WHO cone test device, the time to 50% mortality (LT50 ) when applied at 5 g/m2 (tested at 30 °C and 50% relative humidity (rH)) was 7.1, 4.3 and 3.2 h, respectively. When knockdown was included, the LT50 s were 5.5, 1.5 and 2.8 h, respectively. Application rates of 1.25 and greater g/m2 had the shortest LT50 s. The time to the LT50 increased for M. domestica as rH increased, but ImG was still active at the highest rH tested of 70%. Scanning electron micrographs showed ImG was present on all body parts, unlike that for mosquitoes where it was found mostly on the lower legs. These first studies on the use of Imergard WP against flies suggest this could be an alternative method for filth fly control.

A Work in Progress: National Opioid Prescription Reductions Across Orthopaedic Subspecialties in a Contemporary Medicare Sample of 5,026,911 Claims.

Introduction:As the opioid epidemic continues in the United States, efforts by orthopaedic surgeons to reduce opioid prescriptions remain critical. Although previous studies have demonstrated reductions in prescriptions across surgical specialties, there is limited information regarding contemporary trends in opioid prescriptions across orthopaedic subspecialties. Our analysis sought to estimate the frequency and trends of opioid prescriptions among Medicare Part D enrollees.Methods:The Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data: Part D Prescriber Public Use Files from Centers of Medicare and Medicare from 2014 to 2018 were analyzed. These data were merged with the National Provider Identifier Registry to identify the subspecialty of providers. Prescriber opioid prescription rate, days per claim, and claims per patient were calculated. Temporal trends were tested using linear regression. Poisson regression was used to calculate annual adjusted incidence rate ratios while controlling for year, surgeon sex, average patient comorbidity risk score, and average patient age.Results:We analyzed 5,026,911 opioid claims prescribed to 2,661,762 beneficiaries. Among all orthopaedic surgeons, the opioid prescription rate per 100 beneficiaries significantly decreased over the study period from 52.99 (95% CI, 52.6 to 53.37) to 44.50 (44.06 to 44.93) (P = 0.002). This decrease was observed for each subspecialty (all P values < 0.05). Similar significant reductions were appreciated across cohorts in the number of claims per beneficiary (all P values < 0.05). The opioid prescription rate among all orthopaedic surgeons and each subspecialty decreased significantly over the study period after controlling for various patient and surgeon characteristics (all P values < 0.05).Conclusion:Orthopaedic surgeons across subspecialties have reduced their rates of opioid prescriptions over recent years. Although increased prescription-limiting legislation, alternative methods of pain control, and prescriber reeducation regarding the correct quantity of opioids needed for postoperative pain relief, ongoing research, and efforts are needed to translate these reductions into clinically meaningful changes.

Антибиотикорезистентность и альтернативные методы профилактики и борьбы с бактериальными инфекциями

Антибиотикорезистентность и альтернативные методы профилактики и борьбы с бактериальными инфекциями

Bio-efficiency of some Aromatic Oils and Other Compounds on Some Biological Aspects of Tetranychus urticae as Alternative to Pesticides.

Extensive use of conventional pesticides and acaricides to control of the two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch caused undesirable side effects on environment, humans and animals so, it was necessary to look for alternative control methods including the use of aromatic oils and natural oils, as botanical acaricides . The present study was carried out to assessment bio-efficiency of some aromatic oils and other compounds on some biological aspects of T. urticae in laboratory at (25±2) oC, and (65±5) %R.H. to finding safe a mean to human, environment , and animals as alternative to synthetic miticides used in the control this mite. Results indicated that Helbstar was the highest toxic compound to adult females of T. urticae followed byNat-1 with Lc50 values of 1686.5 and 2861.5 ppm, respectively while Basil was the least toxic one with Lc50 value of 5990.4 ppm . The population showed more homogeneity in its response to the aromatic oils (Basil and carnation). As a result to significant differences between different oils it was found that Carnation oil and natural oil (Nat-1) can be recommend in controlling mite through incubation stage of T. urticae . Also Carnation oil can be recommend in controlling active proto-nymph, total immature and life cycle stages of T. urticea . All oils were not preferred in controlling adult females of mite through pre- oviposition, oviposition, post-oviposition and longevity stages. The obtained results were important so they are taken in the consideration when planning programs of integrated pest management.

Entomopathogenic Fungi for Tick Control in Cattle Livestock From Mexico.

Ticks are one of the main economic threats to the cattle industry worldwide affecting productivity, health and welfare. The need for alternative methods to control tick populations is prompted by the high prevalence of multiresistant tick strains to the main chemical acaricides and their ecological consequences. Biological control using entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) is one of the most promising alternative options. The objective of this paper is to review the use of EPF as an alternative control method against cattle ticks in Mexico. Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato (s.l.) and Beauveria bassiana s.l. are the most studied EPF for the biological control of ticks in the laboratory and in the field, mainly against Rhipicephalus microplus; however, evaluations against other important cattle ticks such as Amblyomma mixtum and R. annulatus, are needed. A transdisciplinary approach is required to incorporate different types of tools, such as genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics in order to better understand the pathogenicity/virulence mechanism in EPF against ticks. Laboratory tests have demonstrated the EPF efficacy to control susceptible and resistant/multiresistant tick populations; whereas, field tests have shown satisfactory control efficiency of M. anisopliae s.l. against different stages of R. microplus when applied both on pasture and on cattle. Epidemiological aspects of ticks and environmental factors are considered as components that influence the acaricidal behavior of the EPF. Finally, considering all these aspects, some recommendations are proposed for the use of EPF in integrated control schemes for livestock ticks.

Exposure to mosquito coil and biomass fuel smoke and respiratory health in rural Tamil Nadu, India.

Mosquito coil smoke, along with biomass fuel smoke, are sources of indoor air pollution. Biomass fuel smoke has been studied as a risk factor for poor respiratory outcomes. However, in an Indian context, few studies examine the effect of mosquito coil exposure on poor respiratory outcomes at the community level. To estimate the prevalence of the biomass fuel and mosquito coil use and to determine the association between the use of bio-mass fuel and mosquito coil and poor respiratory health. A cross-sectional survey of 4662 individuals (above the age of 30years) was conducted using a pre-tested questionnaire. Trained interviewers collected data on current and past use of biomass fuels and mosquito coils, usage practices and respiratory health. We computed proportions for exposure variables namely biomass fuel, mosquito coil use and other covariates. We conducted univariate analysis, followed by multivariate logistic regression. The prevalence of ever use of biomass fuels was high (wood: 97.9%; cow dung cake: 76.0% and crop residue: 54.4%). Current use of wood, cow dung cake and crop residue was prevalent among 75.7, 24.3 and 30.9% respondents, respectively. Almost 70% of respondents had ever used mosquito coils, whereas 54% were current users. Overall, 5.5% respondents had poor respiratory health either due to chronic bronchitis or asthma. In multivariate analysis, use of combination of all three biomass fuel types (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-2.54) and use of mosquito coil more than or equal to 5days per week (AOR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.04-1.99) were associated with poor respiratory health after adjusting for covariates age, gender, smoking, kitchen type and for each other. Use of biomass fuels and mosquito coils was high in the study population and was associated with poor respiratory health. Therefore, mosquito coil smoke should also be considered an important source of indoor air pollution, similar to biomass fuel exposure. Community education about these sources of indoor air pollution and increased coverage of cleaner fuels and alternative mosquito control methods should be the way forward in the rural areas.

Incorporation of microorganisms to reduce chemical fungicide usage in black sigatoka control programs in Costa Rica by use of biological fungicides

Control of Black sigatoka, one of the most destructive diseases affecting the banana industry worldwide, requires frequent chemical fungicide treatments, thus greatly increasing production costs. Due to increasing pathogen resistance to fungicides and negative environmental impacts, alternative control methods need to be incorporated into management programs. Spores of Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma harzianum, and an extract of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Agro-Mos®), all biological pesticides were rotated with traditional chemical fungicides (chlorothalonil and mancozeb). It was possible thereby to reduce the total chemical pesticide use by 25%. To determine the effects under different climatic conditions, the first trial was conducted during the wet season and the second trial during the dry season. Disease severity was recorded, every week for 20 weeks, in all plants during each trial. In all treatment groups, disease severity was significantly lower (P < 0.05) for both wet and dry seasons. Programs including B. subtilis and Agro-Mos® resulted in lower growth of the pathogen for all measured disease symptoms. Results suggest that the incorporation of efficacious biological products could help lower the use of chemical fungicides while still maintaining the same level of control on the development of Black sigatoka.

Trade-offs between suppression and eradication of sea lampreys from the Great Lakes

Ecosystem managers confronted with newly invasive species may respond with a program of suppression or eradication. Suppression of an invasive species refers to management of a species such that its effect on other biota in the local ecosystem is acceptable. Eradication is the removal of all individuals of a species from a defined region. We examine the cost and benefit trade-offs between suppression and eradication of Laurentian Great Lakes sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) based on discussions at the 3rd Sea Lamprey International Symposium (held in 2019). Substantial effort has been expended annually since the 1960s to suppress sea lampreys in the Great Lakes basin. Choosing between suppression and eradication is a value judgement, ideally made jointly by scientists, decision-makers, stakeholders, and society. Successful large-scale eradications have been limited to a small number of cases for which the cost to human society justified and supported the long-term commitment necessary for success. The greatest challenge to successful eradication of sea lampreys from the Great Lakes may be a suitable social, political, legal, and institutional environment. Preparations could be made now for a transition in which public pushback on current control methods (pesticide applications and barriers to fish passage) leads to more extensive use of an alternative control method, such as genetic control.

Linking mango infestation by fruit flies to fruit maturity and fly pressure: A prerequisite to improve fruit fly damage management via harvest timing optimization

Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are considered to be major pests of mango (Mangifera indica) worldwide. Their management, with an increasing focus on replacing synthetic pesticides with alternative pest control methods, is a challenging issue. A study was carried out from 2015 to 2017 in Reunion Island under field conditions in order to characterize the incidence of fruit flies on mango production and to link fruit fly infestation with fruit maturity and fly pressure. Mango fruits were mainly infested by Bactrocera zonata. Few fruits were infested by Ceratitis quilicii, and even fewer by Ceratitis capitata. Infestation increased as fruits ripened. Less than 4% of the fruits were infested at the green, green-mature and early yellow-point stages. Infestation increased to 10–11% at later yellow-point stages, and reached 14–16% at ripe and overripe stages. Fruit infestation was closely related to changes in the peel texture (firmness, in particular) and chlorophyll fluorescence of the fruit as it ripened. Whereas variability in fruit fly abundance in traps was observed between orchards and years, it did not clearly explain variability in fruit infestations, which was mostly explained by variability in fruit maturity. The study suggests that fruit fly trapping is not adequate to assess infestation risk or to guide management decisions, but instead provides evidence that fruit fly damage could be reduced by adjusting harvest timing, especially by harvesting fruits at the green-mature stage or at the yellow-point onset.

Battling the biotypes of balsam: the biological control of Impatiens glandulifera using the rust fungus Puccinia komarovii var. glanduliferae in GB

Impatiens glandulifera, or Himalayan balsam, is a prolific invader of riverine habitats. Introduced from the Himalayas for ornamental purposes in 1839, this annual species has naturalised across Great Britain (GB) forming dense monocultures with negative affects across whole ecosystems. In 2006 a programme exploring biocontrol as an alternative control method was initiated and to date, two strains of the rust fungus Puccinia komarovii var. glanduliferae have been released. To better understand the observed differences in susceptibility of GB Himalayan balsam stands to the two rust strains, inoculation studies were conducted using urediniospores and basidiospores. Experiments revealed large variation in the susceptibility of stands to urediniospores of the two rust strains, with some resistant to both. Furthermore, the infectivity of basidiospores was found to differ, with some stands fully susceptible to the urediniospore stage, being immune to basidiospore infection. Therefore, before further rust releases at new sites, it is necessary to ensure complete compatibility of the invasive stands with both urediniospores and basidiospores. However, for successful control across GB it is essential that plant biotypes are matched to the most virulent rust strains. This will involve additional strains from the native range to tackle those biotypes resistant to the strains currently released.

Peripheral nerve block for hip fracture.

Between 2000 and 2010, there were 2.6 million hospitalizations for hip fractures in the United States among women over 55 years of age alone.1 This is nearly as many hospitalizations as those for myocardial infarction or stroke among that same population and outnumbered hospitalizations for all other fractures combined.1 Studies have also demonstrated an increased risk for mortality in the months after hip fracture.

Nosema locustae (Protozoa, Microsporidia), a Biological Agent for Locust and Grasshopper Control

Effective locust and grasshopper control is crucial as locust invasions have seriously threatened crops and food security since ancient times. However, the preponderance of chemical insecticides, effective and widely used today, is increasingly criticized as a result of their adverse effects on human health and the environment. Alternative biological control methods are being actively sought to replace chemical pesticides. Nosema locustae (Synonyms: Paranosema locustae, Antonospora locustae), a protozoan pathogen of locusts and grasshoppers, was developed as a biological control agent as early as the 1980s. Subsequently, numerous studies have focused on its pathogenicity, host spectrum, mass production, epizootiology, applications, genomics, and molecular biology. Aspects of recent advances in N. locustae show that this entomopathogen plays a special role in locust and grasshopper management because it is safer, has a broad host spectrum of 144 orthopteran species, vertical transmission to offspring through eggs, long persistence in locust and grasshopper populations for more than 10 years, and is well adapted to various types of ecosystems in tropical and temperate regions. However, some limitations still need to be overcome for more efficient locust and grasshopper management in the future.

On the effect of ozonated water on mortality of Tetranychus urticae (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) on Capsicum annuum (Solanaceae) in greenhouse conditions

Pesticide-resistant populations of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, have been reported in many countries. This problem has led to the search for alternative control methods. One of these alternative strategies is aqueous ozone. During a series of preliminary test, the effect of different concentrations of aqueous ozone on mortality of T. urticae on pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was evaluated in greenhouse conditions at 25 ± 2 °C; 50 ± 5% RH and 16:8 (L:D) photoperiod. Then efficacy of ozone to control the pest was evaluated in different experimental conditions including three exposure times (5, 10 and 15 seconds), different time of spraying (8 am, 2 pm and 8 pm), and different ages of the host plant (4, 8 and 12 weeks old). Each experiment was carried out in a randomized complete design with six replications. Based on the screening tests, ozone concentration of 43 g/m3 was found to give efficient results in terms of mortality rates of the mites and morphological traits of the host plant. The mortality rate of the mites increased with increasing exposure time. Although the interaction effect between ozone concentration and exposure time was significant, in other experiments, no significant difference in the mortality percentage of the mite among either times of application, or ages of the host plant was found. In none of these experiments, no symptom of injury to the host plant foliage such as chlorosis, necrosis, yellowing or malformation was observed after aqueous ozone spraying. Based on these results, aqueous ozone at a specific concentration and conditions can reduce the population density of T. urticae without any visible damage on the pepper foliage. However, more research needs to be done before ozonated water can be deployed commercially as a pesticide.

Fumigant toxicity of essential oils from three lamiaceous plants and methyl iodide against Phthorimaea operculella (zeller) (Lep.: Gelechiidae)

The potato tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is a major pest that courses economic losses of potato Solanum tuberosum L. in both the field and the stores. In this research, the fumigant toxicity of essential oils of three Lamiaceous plants including Thymus caucasicus L., Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Satureja hortensis L. and methyl iodide (a chemical fumigant) were evaluated on P. operculella and on its demographic parameters under the laboratory conditions. Essential oils were extracted through hydro-distillation method using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis indicated that thymol (29.76 %) in T. caucasicus, carvacrol (36.67 %) in S. hortensis and 1, 8-cineole (26.94 %) in R. officinalis essential oils were the major secondary constituents. The 50 % Lethal Concentration (LC50) values for T. caucasicus, R. officinalis, and S. hortensis essential oils as well as methyl iodide towards P. operculella eggs were 5.99, 4.58, 3.55 and 0.29 µL L− 1 air, respectively. On the other hand, methyl iodide showed the highest acute toxicity on the egg stage of P. operculella compared to the essential oils. The 30 % Lethal Concentration (LC30) values of T. caucasicus, R. officinalis, and S. hortensis essential oils and methyl iodide (4.12, 3.53, 1.96, and 0.23 µL L− 1 air, respectively) were affected the life history and demographical parameters of P. operculella. The longest development time was observed on methyl iodide and the shortest was on T. caucasicus and S. hortensis essential oils. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) values obtained in the control group and treated insects were: 0.19, 0.16, 0.14, 0.13, and 0.01 female progenies per female per day for T. caucasicus, S. hortensis, R. officinalis essential oils and methyl iodide, respectively. These results suggested that methyl iodide was significantly more toxic to the P. operculella compared to the essential oils of all the three mentioned plants. Meanwhile, it was concluded that the application of these plant essential oils can be useful as an alternative method for potato tuberworm control in storage facilities.

Use of Sugar Dispensers to Disrupt Ant Attendance and Improve Biological Control of Mealybugs in Vineyard.

Simple SummaryManagement methods for mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) alternative to insecticides have been explored in vineyards. Biological control by either wild or released natural enemies can be disrupted by tending ants, which create a strong association with mealybugs. In this paper, sugar dispensers were investigated as an ant management method to enhance parasitization and predation and eventually to reduce mealybug infestations. Field trials showed a reduction of ant activity, an enhancement of the ecosystem services provided by both parasitoids and predators and a decrease of mealybug infestation on grapes. The use of sugar dispensers provided promising results, highlighting its potential to be integrated with inoculative releases for a more sustainable management of mealybugs.Planococcus ficus (Signoret) and Pseudococcus comstocki (Kuwana) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are economically important pests occurring in vineyards, causing severe economic losses for growers and compromising bunch production. The partial effectiveness of insecticides used in controlling mealybug infestations as well as their high impact on the environment and on human health have led to the research of alternative and sustainable control methods, including biological control. Several natural enemies are reported to be effective against mealybugs, but their activity may be hindered by tending ants. These social insects are known to exhibit a mutualistic relationship with mealybugs, resulting in extremely aggressive behavior against beneficial insects. Consequently, this study explored a method to mitigate ant attendance by means of sugar dispensers in order to improve ecosystem services, as well as decrease mealybug infestation in vineyards. Field trials were carried out in four commercial vineyards of Northern Italy infested by mealybugs, in which Anagyrus vladimiri Triapitsyn (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were released as biological control agents. Our results showed that sugar dispensers reduced ant activity and mealybug infestation, leading to a significant enhancement of ecosystem services. The technique showed a great potential in boosting biological control against mealybugs in field conditions, though the field application seemed to be labour intensive and needs to be replicated for a multi-year evaluation.

Crop Diversification to Control Powdery Mildew in Pea

Pea is a temperate grain legume cultivated worldwide that can be severely constrained by powdery mildew infection. Control by fungicides and the use of resistant cultivars is possible, but there is a growing interest in alternative control methods such as crop diversification, particularly in low input agriculture. The aim of this work was to assess the potential of intercropping pea with other crops and of pea cultivar mixtures for powdery mildew management on pea crop. Results show a reduction of powdery mildew on pea when intercropped by replacement at a 50:50 ratio with barley or with faba bean, but not when intercropped with wheat. A barrier effect seems to explain a major part of this decrease, especially in the pea/barley intercrop. This hypothesis was further supported by inoculated seedlings under controlled conditions, where powdery mildew infection on pea decreased with the distance to the inoculation point, this decrease being larger in the intercrop with barley than in the intercrop with wheat and in the pea monocrop. Powdery mildew was also reduced in the mixture of resistant and susceptible cultivars, with infection decreasing with the increasing proportions of the resistant one. Overall, this work shows that crop diversification may be a good strategy to reduce powdery mildew in pea.

Evaluating the Effects of Acetic Acid and d-Limonene on Four Aquatic Plants

The foundation of most aquatic weed management programs in Florida is synthetic herbicides because many of these U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)-registered products are effective, selective, and inexpensive compared with other strategies such as mechanical harvesting. However, stakeholders have expressed concern regarding their use and managers are interested in exploring alternative methods for aquatic weed control. To that end, we evaluated the efficacy, selectivity, and costs of the “natural” products acetic acid and d-limonene (alone and in combination with each other and citric acid) on the invasive floating plants waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and waterlettuce (Pistia stratiotes), and the native emergent plants broadleaf sagittaria (Sagittaria latifolia) and pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata). These products, plus an industry-standard synthetic herbicide (diquat dibromide), were applied once as foliar treatments to healthy plants, which were grown out for 8 weeks after treatment to allow development of phytotoxicity symptoms. A 0.22% concentration of diquat dibromide eliminated all vegetation, but neither “natural” product alone provided acceptable (&gt;80%) control of floating weeds, even when applied at the maximum concentrations under evaluation (20% acetic acid, 30% d-limonene). Citric acid (5% or 10%) had no effect on the activity of acetic acid or d-limonene, but some combinations of acetic acid and d-limonene controlled floating weeds effectively without causing unacceptable damage to native plants. However, these treatments are much more expensive than the synthetic standard and managers would realize a 22- to 26-fold increase in product cost alone without factoring in other expenses such as additional labor and application time. Combinations of acetic acid and d-limonene may have utility in some areas where the use of synthetic herbicides is discouraged, but broad-scale deployment of this strategy would likely be prohibitively expensive.

Biopesticide and Parasitoid Effects on Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) Life Stage Density and Egg Parasitism in Soybean

Biopesticide and Parasitoid Effects on <i>Megacopta cribraria</i> (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) Life Stage Density and Egg Parasitism in Soybean

RNA Interference Strategies for Future Management of Plant Pathogenic Fungi: Prospects and Challenges.

Plant pathogenic fungi are the largest group of disease-causing agents on crop plants and represent a persistent and significant threat to agriculture worldwide. Conventional approaches based on the use of pesticides raise social concern for the impact on the environment and human health and alternative control methods are urgently needed. The rapid improvement and extensive implementation of RNA interference (RNAi) technology for various model and non-model organisms has provided the initial framework to adapt this post-transcriptional gene silencing technology for the management of fungal pathogens. Recent studies showed that the exogenous application of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules on plants targeting fungal growth and virulence-related genes provided disease attenuation of pathogens like Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Fusarium graminearum in different hosts. Such results highlight that the exogenous RNAi holds great potential for RNAi-mediated plant pathogenic fungal disease control. Production of dsRNA can be possible by using either in-vitro or in-vivo synthesis. In this review, we describe exogenous RNAi involved in plant pathogenic fungi and discuss dsRNA production, formulation, and RNAi delivery methods. Potential challenges that are faced while developing a RNAi strategy for fungal pathogens, such as off-target and epigenetic effects, with their possible solutions are also discussed.