Biopesticides Research Articles

Management of Stemphylium Blight Disease Caused by Stemphylium vesicarium in Onion through Different Methodology

A field experiments was conducted at NHRDF, Regional Research Station, Nashik in two consecutive years during rabi 2022-23 and 2023-24 on onion for the management of stemphylium blight disease through different methodology like alteration in transplanting dates, chemical and bio-pesticides management as well as screening of stemphylium tolerant variety. In case of alteration in transplanting dates that the lowest intensity (9.83%) of stemphylium blight and highest yield (391.83 q/ha) was recorded on 3rd week of December. In case of chemical fungicides with bio pesticides the lowest stemphylium blight disease intensity (7.27%) as well as highest yield (399.17 q/ha) was recorded in treatment T4 (Tebuconazole50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% WG @ 0.15% at 45, 60 and 75 DAT while, in case of varietal screening the lowest intensity (10.93%) of stemphylium blight as well as highest gross yield (397.00 q/ha) with marketable (383.83 q/ha) was recorded in variety NHRDF Red-4.

Systematic characterization of extracellular vesicles from potato (Solanum tuberosum cv. Laura) roots and peels: biophysical properties and proteomic profiling

IntroductionExtracellular vesicles (EVs) facilitate inter and intra-species/kingdom communication through biomolecule transfer, including proteins and small RNAs. Plant-derived EVs, a hot topic in the field, hold immense capability both as a potential biomarker to study plant physiology and as a biomaterial that can be mass-produced to be used in various industries ranging from cosmetics and food additives to biological pesticides. However, a systematic characterization of plant EVs is required to establish a foundation for further applications and studies.MethodsIn this study, EVs were enriched from hydroponically cultivated potato plants (Solanum tuberosum, cv. Laura). We isolated EVs from root exudates and the apoplastic wash of potato peels using vacuum infiltration. These EVs were then systematically characterized for their biophysical and chemical properties to compare with standard EV characteristics and to explore their roles in plant physiology.ResultsBiophysical and chemical analyses revealed morphological similarities between potato root and peel-derived EVs. The average diameter of root-derived EVs (164.6 ± 7.3 nm) was significantly larger than that of peel-derived EVs (132.2 ± 2.0 nm, p < 0.004). Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) demonstrated substantial protein enrichment in purified EVs compared to crude samples, with a 42% enrichment for root EVs and 25% for peel EVs. Only 11.8% of the identified proteins were common between root and peel EVs, with just 2% of significantly enriched proteins shared. Enriched pathways in both EV proteomes were associated with responses to biotic and abiotic stress, suggesting a defensive role of EVs in plants.DiscussionWith further experimentation to elucidate the specific methods of communication, these findings increase the details known about plant EVs in terms of their physical and chemical characteristics and their potential functions, aiding in sustainable agricultural waste utilization for large-scale EV production, aligning with the concept of “valorization”.

Microbial biopesticides are inhibited by honey bee royal jelly and in vitro larval diet

The interest in and use of biological materials in crop production is increasing globally at a rapid pace. In many cases, testing methods for conventional chemicals are applied to microbial-based biopesticides because specific microbial test methods are lacking. However, not all methods are easily transferred to microbial-based products. An evaluation was conducted to determine if OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) Guidance Document No. 239 on honey bee larval toxicity could be adapted to microbial pesticides. In our study, five microbes, including B. pumilus, B. thuringiensis, B. velezensis, Paenibacillus larvae, and Ascophaera apis were grown on agar media and spotted with either honey bee in vitro larval diet or royal jelly. We observed that the honey bee larval bee diet and royal jelly did not inhibit the fungal honey bee pathogen Ascophaera apis, yet inhibited the growth of bacteria, including a known honey bee larval pathogen. This finding may make the test unreliable for certain biopesticides. The OECD is considering biopesticide-specific testing guidelines, and the EPA has indicated it to update itsbiopesticide bee test guidelines. However, additional research is needed to determine which options may be feasible and provide the best improvements.

Review of Post-Harvest Rice Cooling for Storage in the USA

The aim of this review paper is to document the role of post-harvest rice cooling in ensuring the safe storage of rice, given the ongoing increase in rice production. The United States exports substantial quantities of rice, with milled and rough rice being the primary exports. The industry has experienced growth, propelled by rising demand, a diverse population, and international trade. Effective storage of harvested rice is essential for year-round utilization, and the USA utilizes both on-farm and off-farm in-bin storage methods equipped with features like moisture control, pest management, and temperature regulation. The adoption of rice cooling technology for storage emerges as a solution to accelerate drying, prolong shelf life, and improve overall quality. Despite challenges such as upfront costs and energy requirements, cooling technology offers benefits for both short-term and long-term storage. Integrating cooling models into mathematical simulations becomes crucial for optimizing storage conditions. Research opportunities in post-harvest rice cooling focus on energy-efficient technologies, smart sensors, modern storage structures, microbial control methods, and economic evaluations. Future trends encompass automation, intelligent monitoring, climate-controlled storage, sustainability measures, and technological integration to enhance the efficiency and security of rice storage facilities in the USA.

Biological Control of Aphids in China: Successes and Prospects.

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects, and many are notorious pests of field crops, vegetables, fruit trees, ornamental plants, and trees. In China, there is an increasing emphasis on utilizing biological control agents, including aphidopathogenics, and selective pesticides for the management of aphids. In particular, preventive integrated pest management strategies with early interventions reduce the financial and environmental costs associated with treatments of outbreaks. Decades of progress have proved that biological control is a cost-effective and environmentally safe control option. Here, we review the history and progress of aphid control, with an emphasis on major natural enemies, mass-rearing, and conservation, and provide two successful cases, constraints, and future perspectives on aphid biological control in China.

Sustainable Land Use Strengthens Microbial and Herbivore Controls in Soil Food Webs in Current and Future Climates.

Climate change and land-use intensification are threatening soil communities and ecosystem functions. Understanding the combined effects of climate change and land use is crucial for predicting future impacts on soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in agroecosystems. Here, we used a field experiment to quantify the combined effects of climate change (warming and altered precipitation patterns) and land use (agricultural type and management intensity) on soil food webs across nematodes, micro-, and macroarthropods. Specifically, we investigated two types of agricultural systems-croplands and grasslands-under both high- and low-intensity management. We focused on assessing the functioning of soil food webs by investigating changes in energy flux to consumers in the main trophic groups: decomposers, microbivores, herbivores, and predators. While the total energy flux and detritivory, herbivory and predation in the soil food web remained unchanged across treatments, low-intensity land use-compared to high intensity-led to higher microbivory and microbial control under future climate conditions (i.e., warming and summer drought) in croplands and grasslands. At the same time, microbial and herbivore control were higher under low-intensity land use in croplands and grasslands. Overall, our results underscore the potential benefits of less intensive, more sustainable management practices for soil food-web functioning under current and future climate scenarios.

Revolutionizing Pollution Control with Innovative CuO@TiO2 Nanocomposite for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation and Antimicrobial Efficacy

Facing the crisis of rising global pollution levels and the increasing threat of new pathogens, innovative and efficient strategies for degrading industrial waste and eliminating harmful pathogens are urgently needed. Therefore, we carefully designed and integrated CuO@TiO2 nanocomposite with a p-n heterojunction structure. Tests such as XRD, SEM, EDS and TEM showed that CuO was successfully and uniformly compounded on the surface of TiO2 to form nanoparticles with an average particle size of about 21 nm. Through carefully controlled experiments, we have demonstrated that these nanocomposites can degrade methylene blue by up to 83.90% under irradiation with a xenon lamp, and maintain a relatively stable high degradation rate in repeatable photocatalytic tests, which highlights their great potential for pollution reduction. In addition, these nanocomposites also have a certain antibacterial effect. After 12 h of incubation in the dark, the bacterial survival rate was reduced to 94.07%, and under light conditions, it was reduced to 92.35%. It can be clearly seen under the microscope that the cell contents have leaked out and appear flocculent due to the rupture of the bacterial cells. These results are attributed to the synergistic effect of the release of Cu2+ and photocatalytic activity in the nanocomposite. This integrated approach positions CuO@TiO2 nanocomposite as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional antimicrobial agents and photocatalysts, paving the way for their wide application in environmental purification and microbial control.

Enhanced bactericidal effects of povidone-iodine in the presence of silver ions

The rising prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections worldwide necessitates the development of innovative antimicrobial systems for effective pathogen control. This study investigates the synergistic bactericidal effects of a combined system comprising povidone-iodine (PVP-I) and silver ions (Ag(I)). The PVP-I/Ag(I) system exhibited enhanced bactericidal activity against four key surrogate bacterial species: two Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), and two Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis). Our experiments revealed that Ag(I) interacts with iodide ions (I−) to form silver iodide (AgI). This reaction promotes the formation of hypoiodous acid (HOI), a more potent bactericidal agent than other reactive iodine species (RIS), by shifting the equilibrium of RIS released from PVP-I. Under representative conditions ([PVP-I]0 = 1 mg/L, [Ag(I)]0 = 5 μM, pH = 7.3), the concentration of HOI in the PVP-I/Ag(I) system was 2.4−3.9 times higher than in the PVP-I system alone, aligning with theoretical predictions. The bactericidal efficacy of the PVP-I/Ag(I) system was influenced by pH variations, affecting HOI formation. This system represents a promising tool for rapid and effective microbial control, potentially enhancing public health outcomes.

Forecasting Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) Density and Non-Chemical Control of Larvae: A Practical Review

The western corn rootworm (WCR) (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte; Chrysomelidae) is one of the most significant maize pests in Europe, with farmers spending a substantial amount (approximately 140 EUR) on its control. In the context of climate change, WCRs could pose an even greater threat to EU maize production, particularly as the European Union continues to withdraw an increasing number of effective yet environmentally harmful active agents. Biological control methods have now emerged to the forefront in creating sustainable agriculture. In this review, we carried out an extensive literature analysis on methods for forecasting WCRs and evaluated the practical applicability of the latest non-chemical control methods targeting its larvae. Effective forecasting is essential for successful pest management, enabling informed planning and the selection of the most suitable control methods. Several traditional predicting techniques remain in use today, but recent advancements have introduced modern electronic forecasting units combined with sensor-equipped pheromone and colour traps, as well as thermal sum calculations. Research has demonstrated that crop rotation is one of the most effective methods for controlling WCR larvae. Biological agents, such as entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bossiana and Mettarrhyzum anasoplia), entomopathogenic nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora), and botanical insecticides such as azadirachtin can significantly reduce larval populations and root damage, thereby maintaining infestation levels below the economic threshold. Genetically modified maize plants that produce specific toxins, along with conventional breeding efforts to increase root system regeneration, are also promising tools for the sustainable management of this pest. This review summarizes the solutions for prediction of western corn rootworm infestations and non-chemical control of its larvae. Accurate forecasting methods provide a clear picture of infestation levels in a given area, enabling precisely targeted control measures. In all cases, the control should be directed primarily against the larvae, thereby reducing root damage and reducing the size of the emerging imago population. This review demonstrates that biological control methods targeting larvae can be as effective as pesticides, supporting sustainable pest management.

Development of a Deep Learning‐Assisted Mobile Application for the Identification of Nematodes Through Microscopic Images

ABSTRACTNematodes are microscopic metazoans, some species of which can be used as biological insecticides, while some other species annually damage 10.0%–20.0% of crops globally. Accurate identification of nematodes is crucial for their effective utilisation or control. Current methods of nematode identification are labour‐intensive, time‐consuming, and prone to false positives, thus necessitating the development of an intelligent system for their identification from microscopic images without technical assistance. In this study, a novel approach was investigated for the identification of nematodes from microscopic images. A novel lightweight convolutional neural network (CNN) was developed to identify the nematodes belonging to different trophic groups (Heterorhabditis indica, Meloidogyne incognita, Helicotylenchus, Anguina tritici, and Xiphinema). The CNN model was trained for 75 epochs using 70.0% of the nematode dataset, with validation on 20.0% of the dataset. To ensure unbiased evaluation, 30 images from each class were randomly selected from the remaining 10.0% of the dataset for testing the classification performance of the trained model. The trained models achieved an average classification accuracy, precision, recall, and F1‐score values of 98.52%, 95.66%, 95.56%, and 95.56%, respectively. The proposed CNN was found to be four times faster and five times lighter against a marginal (< 1.0%) decrease in accuracy when compared with the existing state‐of‐the‐art CNNs. The classification accuracy of the developed mobile application was validated by nematode specialists on freshly captured data and found to be greater than 98.0%. Hence, the developed mobile application can be effectively applied for the identification of targeted nematodes and eliminate the necessity of specialists.

The Effect of Some Biological Fungicides and Liquid Organic Fertilizers on Sigatoka Disease on ‘Mas’ Banana Plants (Musa acuminata Colla)

Banana (Musa acuminata Colla) is a tropical fruit with great economic potential and export prospects. According to the Directorate General of Horticulture, Ministry of Agriculture, banana production from 2009 to 2014 fluctuated due to attacks by Plant Destruction Organisms (PDO), particularly Sigatoka disease caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella musciola. This study investigated biological agents like Trichoderma sp. and Gliocladium sp., along with liquid organic fertilizers, to control the disease without synthetic fungicides.The research, conducted at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang, used a split-plot design with two factors: biological pesticides (Tricogreen, Natural Glio, Trico-G) and liquid organic fertilizers (rabbit urine POC, shrimp shell MOL, banana hump MOL). The experiment had nine treatment combinations with three plant samples each. Results showed that biological pesticides significantly reduced Sigatoka disease intensity, with the J3P3 treatment (Trico-G and Banana Hump MOL) achieving the lowest infection rate of 29.55%, reducing disease intensity by 70.45%. Liquid organic fertilizers also improved plant growth, increasing leaf number and leaf area. This indicates that biological agents and organic fertilizers effectively manage Sigatoka disease and promote healthy banana plant growth.

Monitoring of Bacillus spore-forming dynamics through flow cytometry.

The plate counting method is a traditional and widely accepted technique for live cell counting, often employed for Bacillus enumeration and spore forming rate calculations. However, this method requires at least 12 h to generate results, making it unsuitable for real-time monitoring of bacterial growth status and spore transformation rate. Bacillus thuringiensis crystals, produced during sporulation, are widely used as microbial pesticides, with high demand for industrial scale production. Variations in cultivation conditions and harvest timing during large-scale pore production of Bacillus thuringiensis significantly affect spore forming rate, impacting crystallization yield. Nevertheless, there is a lack of real-time monitoring methods for spore conversion rate. Flow cytometry (FCM), a well-established technique for single-cell analysis in eukaryotic cells, has been successfully applied in bacterial detection in environmental and food samples. In this study, we introduced a rapid flow cytometry-based method for determining spore forming rate of Bacillus thuringiensis, with two nucleic acid dyes, SYTO24 and LDS751. The method enables dynamic monitoring of spore, vegetative cell, and viable but non-culturable/dead cell proportions during the whole cultivation process, and spore forming rate could be gained within 30 min. Data of spore forming rate by FCM method is consistent with that by plate counting method, offering a faster and more efficient approach for assessing sporulation status in industrial Bacillus thuringiensis microbial pesticide production.

Side effects of insecticides used for management of Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechidae) on the biocontrol agent Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Trichogramma brassicae is one of the most important egg parasitoids of many pests including South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). In agrosystems, the function of parasitoids can be affected by the application of insecticides. To use biological control agents and pesticides simultaneously in pest management, it is necessary to know the potential effect of pesticides on biological control agents. In this study, the lethal and sublethal effects of four insecticides (flubendiamide, emamectin benzoate + lufenuron, thiocyclam, and spinosad) frequently used to control T. absoluta, were investigated on its parasitoid Trichogramma Brassicae Bezdenko (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), under controlled laboratory conditions. The results showed that spinosad with an LC50 value of 0.73 mg a.i./ L was highly toxic against adults of T. brassicae in comparison to flubendiamide (4.09 mg a.i./ L), emamectin benzoate + lufenuron (4.17 mg a.i./ L), and thiocyclam (9.59 mg a.i./ L). Furthermore, key demographic parameters such as net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (rm), mean generation time (T), and doubling time (DT) were significantly decreased after exposure of T. brassicae to the LC30s of spinosad, thiocyclam, flubendiamide, and emamectin benzoate + lufenuron compared to the control. In the light of our results, the four insecticides should be used cautiously in T. absoluta integrated management programs. While the thiocyclam can be combined with the T. brassicae, the flubendiamide and emamectin benzoate + lufenuron are not recommended in the presence of this parasitoid. The use of spinosad should be avoided concomitantly with the release of T. brassicae.

Alternatives for controlling insect pests in crops of agronomic interest using Bacillus thuringiensis and Brevibacillus laterosporus

The bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus thuringiensis have been the main target of research for a long time, making it necessary to identify new microorganisms capable of being used and that accompany the rapid development of biotechnology. The work aims to evaluate the efficiency of isolates of B. thuringiensis and B. laterosporus in controlling caterpillars in crops of agronomic interest. Experiments were conducted with the cultivation of Cotton, Sugarcane, Citrus, Bean, Cabbage, Maize, Soybean and Wheat in different environments to evaluate the efficiency of B. thuringiensis and B. laterosporus isolates in controlling caterpillars. Analysis of variance took place at 5% probability using the F test. Subsequently, the Scott-Knott grouping of means was used at 5% probability. The synergistic use of chemical and biological insecticides promotes satisfactory rates of pest control in crops of agronomic interest. Isolates of B. thuringiensis and B. laterosporus are efficient in controlling caterpillars when applied at the highest dosages tested.

The application of ozone within the food industry, mode of action, current and future applications, and regulatory compliance.

The food industry faces numerous challenges today, with the prevention and reduction of microbial contamination being a critical focus. While traditional chemical-based methods are effective and widely used, rising energy costs, the development of microbial tolerances, and growing awareness of the ecological impact of chemical biocides have renewed interest in novel biocides. Ozone, in both its gaseous and aqueous forms, is recognized as a potent disinfectant against bacteria, viruses, and fungi due to its high oxidation potential. Our review highlights several studies on the applications of ozone within the food industry, including its use for surface and aerosol disinfection and its capacity to reduce viable Listeria monocytogenes, a pertinent foodborne pathogen harbouring environmental and biocide stress tolerances and biofilm former. We also explore the use of ozone in food treatment and preservation, specifically on blueberries, apples, carrots, cabbage, and cherry tomatoes. While ozone is an effective disinfectant, it is important to consider material incompatibility, and the risks associated with prolonged human exposure to high concentrations. Nevertheless, for certain applications, ozone proves to be an efficacious and valuable alternative or complementary method for microbial control. Compliance with the biocide products regulation will require ozone device manufacturers to produce proven efficacy and safety data in line with British standards based on European standards (BS EN), and researchers to propose adaptations to account for ozone's unique properties.

Consumer acceptance of bacteriophage technology for microbial control

As global concerns and awareness of the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) grow, the One Health initiative provides a framework to advance public understanding of and willingness to address AMR. The use of bacteriophages as a non-antibiotic means to control bacterial infections aligns with this framework, but it is unknown whether the use of new antibiotic alternatives, and bacteriophages in particular, will find acceptance among consumers. Within the context of poultry production and consumption, we sampled 1497 Pakistani consumers studying their knowledge of and familiarity with antibiotics, bacteriophages and AMR, whether they perceived AMR as a threat, and their willingness to accept alternative microbial control technologies. Additionally, we tested the impact information about bacteriophages had on the different concepts as well as respondents’ perception of different chicken quality attributes. Using both Probit and Multivariate Probit models we found that familiarity with antibiotics and bacteriophages is significantly associated with the acceptance of alternative microbial control technologies and perceptions of resulting products. Moreover, we find that providing information about the technology does not significantly alter respondent’s perception of most quality attributes.

Microbial Dynamics and Pathogen Control During Fermentation of Distiller Grains: Effects of Fermentation Time on Feed Safety.

Determining the effects of fermentation duration on the microbial ecosystem, potential pathogenic risks, and metabolite generation during the fermentation of distilled grains is essential for safeguarding the safety and enhancing the nutritional profile of animal feed. This study investigates the effect of varying fermentation times (9, 30, and 60 days) on microbial diversity, pathogenic risk, and metabolite profiles in distiller grains using 16S rDNA sequencing and LC-MS-based metabolomics. The results showed that early fermentation (9-30 days) enhanced the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus pontis (p < 0.05), while pathogenic bacteria, like Serratia marcescens and Citrobacter freundii, were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Metabolomic analysis revealed an increase in unsaturated fatty acids and the degradation of biogenic amines during early fermentation. However, prolonged fermentation (60 days) led to a resurgence of pathogenic bacteria and reduced the synthesis of essential metabolites. These findings suggest that fermentation duration must be optimized to balance microbial safety and nutrient quality, with 30 days being the optimal period to reduce pathogenic risks and enhance feed quality.

Isolation and identification of native Chilean entomopathogenic fungi and their potential for the control of Drosophila suzukii

Drosophila suzukii is an invasive pest of berries and other soft-skinned fruits, was first detected in Chile in 2017, and has since spread over 2,800 km from north to south. Sustainable control of the spotted-wing drosophila (SWD) is essential due the negative attitude of the consumers toward the excessive use of insecticides. During a survey in Chile for biological control agents, thirty-two isolates of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) were isolated from mycotized insects and soil samples, identified through sequence analysis, and tested against D. suzukii adults under laboratory conditions. The EPF identified are Akanthomyces muscarius, Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria pseudobassiana, Clonostachys rosea, Metarhizium alvesii, Metarhizium brunneum and Metarhizium robertsii. Six isolates caused 100 % of mortality of D. suzukii adults within ten days after the initial exposition to conidia; these included four B. bassiana isolates (LSB 110, LSB 114, LSB 122 and LSB 125), one M. robertsii isolate (LSB 115) and one M. brunneum isolate (LSB 127). LSB 122 and LSB 125 induced the shortest lethal time (LT50 4 and 4.2 days, respectively), while Akanthomyces and Clonostachys caused ≤36 % cumulative mortality of the adults at 10 days of exposure. These results indicate that isolates of B. bassiana, M. robertsii and M. brunneum have significant potential as microbial control agents against D. suzukii adults. This study marks a critical step forward in identifying and validating native entomopathogenic fungi in Chile for sustainable pest management. Future work will focus on further testing these isolates under laboratory, semi-field and field conditions to optimize their application in real-world agricultural settings.

The impact of different concentrations of nano-capsulated Aleppo oak extraction on the biological performance of Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Essential oils have demonstrated promising results in controlling mites. However, their impact on predatory mites, which are widely used in pest management programs, remains uncertain. In the present study, the effects of 1, 2 and 3 (g a.i. L-1) of nano-capsulated Aleppo oak extraction on the biological parameters of Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were investigated under laboratory condition. Based on the results, the pre-adult period of the predator was significantly longer in the 2 (g a.i. L-1) concentration (6.66 days) compared with the control and the 1 (g a.i. L-1) concentration. Additionally, the total lifespan in the control group (39.42 days) was significantly longer than the treatment with a 3 (g a.i. L-1) concentration (31.50 days). The total fecundity in the 2 (g a.i. L-1) concentration (47.60 eggs/female) was significantly higher than the other treatments, indicating a positive effect of this botanical pesticide at the concentration recommended by the manufacturer on the reproductive system of the predatory mite. No significant differences were observed among the different treatments and the control group in terms of population growth parameters (GRR, R0, r, and λ). Only the mean generation time (T) showed a significant difference, with the longest period being recorded in the 2 (g a.i. L-1) concentration (15.44 ± 0.21), which was significantly longer than the control and the 1 (g a.i. L-1) concentration. The lack of significant differences in population growth parameters between the treatments indicates that nano-capsulated Aleppo oak extraction is safe for use along with the predatory mite A. swirskii.

Possibility for control with botanical insecticides against the mealy plum aphid Hyalopterus pruni Geoffroy, 1762 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on the plum in Southern Bulgaria

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of botanical insecticides recommended for control of the mealy plum aphid Hyalopterus pruni (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The experiment was carried out in 2024 in the experimental field of the Fruit Growing Institute-Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The tested insecticides were orange oil (Limocid), liquid extract of Urtica spp. (Basictec) and pyrethrins (Abanto). The insecticides were applied at the recommended concentrations for control of aphids, whiteflies, thrips and other pests. All tested botanical insecticides showed high biological efficacy and can be used to control the mealy plum aphid. Keywords: mealy plum aphid, biological control, botanical insecticides, Limocid, Basictec, Abanto, Hyalopterus pruni