Biological Pest Control Methods Research Articles

Harnessing Soil Diversity: Innovative Strategies for Potato Blight Management in Central-Eastern Poland

Faced with increasing climate challenges, this pioneering study introduces groundbreaking approaches to ensure the resilience of potato crops in east-central Poland. Our research was aimed at developing an innovative, cost-effective system tailored to the diverse local conditions of this region. Conducted between 2018 and 2020, the study analyzed integrated and organic production systems across different soil types and potato varieties. The experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with three replications in two locations. Integrated production systems involve the strategic use of mineral fertilization and chemical protection to optimize crop growth and health, whereas organic production systems rely solely on natural inputs and biological pest control methods. Integrated practices, enhanced by mineral fertilization and chemical protection, notably delayed the onset of late blight by 16 days and extended the critical infection period by 17% compared to their organic counterparts. Remarkably, the integrated systems resulted in a 49% increase in total production and a 52% increase in commercial yields, demonstrating their effectiveness in enhancing crop resilience. Different potato varieties exhibit varied responses to cultivation systems, influencing both yield and disease resistance. Further investigation into these varietal responses can help optimize cultivation practices, leading to improved efficiency and sustainability in potato farming. Location and soil conditions have a significant impact on potato yield and the spread of potato blight. Specific soil properties such as pH levels, organic matter content, soil texture (clay, silt, and sand composition), moisture retention capacity, and nutrient availability are crucial in determining potato productivity and disease dynamics. Further research into these soil properties and the adaptation of varieties to local conditions can contribute to increased productivity and stability in potato production. This study not only paves the way toward sustainable agriculture but also highlights the crucial role of soil diversity in shaping resilient farming practices. Potato producers in the eastern-central region of Poland should implement integrated production systems using mineral fertilization and chemical plant protection, adapted to local soil conditions and potato varieties. These practices can delay the appearance of late blight and increase the total and marketable potato yield. Further research on soil properties and variety adaptation may increase production stability and efficiency. Promoting soil diversity and modern technologies will ensure resilient and sustainable agricultural production in the face of climate change.

Studies on Benefits of Organic Food Products in Human Life during Covid-19

Organic food products have gained considerable attention in recent years due to their perceived health and environmental benefits. This comprehensive review examines the scientific evidence surrounding the advantages of consuming organic foods compared to conventionally produced counterparts. Firstly, organic farming practices emphasize the use of natural fertilizers and biological pest control methods, avoiding synthetic pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Numerous studies have demonstrated that organic produce tends to have lower pesticide residues, reducing the potential health risks associated with pesticide exposure. Moreover, organic farming promotes soil health and biodiversity by minimizing the use of synthetic chemicals and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. Healthy soils are essential for nutrient-rich crops and contribute to long-term environmental sustainability. Additionally, organic agriculture typically utilizes crop rotation and intercropping techniques, which enhance soil fertility and resilience. Furthermore, organic livestock production adheres to stringent animal welfare standards, including access to outdoor grazing and the prohibition of routine antibiotic use and growth hormones. As a result, organic meat, dairy, and poultry products often contain higher levels of beneficial nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. In terms of nutritional quality, several meta-analyses have suggested that organic fruits and vegetables may have slightly higher levels of certain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants compared to conventionally grown counterparts. While the differences may be modest, the cumulative effects of consuming organic foods over time could contribute to improved overall health outcomes. Beyond individual health benefits, supporting organic agriculture also has positive implications for environmental conservation and sustainable food systems. By minimizing chemical inputs and promoting biodiversity, organic farming helps mitigate soil erosion, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional agriculture.

BIOLOGICAL PROTECTION OF PLANTS IN THE SYSTEM OF ORGANIC FARMING

Biological pest control methods are based on the use of preparations containing beneficial organisms, such as phytoceid mites, predatory insects, parasitoids, as well as entomopathogenic nematodes and bacteria, to limit the size of the phytophage population level. According to the adopted concept of phytosanitary optimization of the crop industry, there is a transition from the total use of chemicals to the use of environmentally friendly methods of plant protection. One of the ways to implement this program is the use of biological methods of plant protection. The article analyzes the current state of the application of the biological method of crop protection in the context of global trends in the development of organic agriculture and the production of organic products in Ukraine and abroad. It is noted that the topical issue of further development of organic farming is the development of the concept of integrated ecologies protection of crops. This concept involves the use of safe means and methods of plant protection, but mainly not chemical ones - organizational, economic, agrotechnical and biological. The biological method of protecting plants from pests and diseases is based on the natural phenomena of super parasitism and antibiosis (antagonism, fungi stasis, suppression), which regulate the relationship between saprophytic, parasitic and pathogenic micro biota. Studies have established that in Ukraine the use of biological plant protection products is now extremely insignificant, although favorable conditions were created for this in the 90s of the last century. Recently, in the agricultural sector of the country, there has been a steady negative trend in the dominance of the chemical method of protecting crops over the biological one. The author proved that the use of beneficial organisms for pest and disease control in open and closed ground brings satisfactory results, and therefore has broad prospects for the future.

Studi Bioekologi Parasitoid Tetrastichus brontispae Feer (Hymenopters : Eulophidae) Terhadap Hama Brontispa longissima Gestro (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae)

In recent years, the coconut leaf beetle (Brontispa longissima, Hymenopters: Eulophidae) has been a significant pest in Ende, Indonesia and has destroyed the majority of the coconut crop leading to overall production to decline. In 2007 coconut leaf beetle began being controlled biologically using the parasitoid Tetrastichus brontispae (Hymenopters: Eulophidae). This is now considered locally to be the most effective way to suppress pest populations of coconut leaf beetle but until now there have been no scientific studies on this biological pest control method. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of Tetratichus brontispae parasitoids as a treatment for coconut leaf beetle infestations. This research used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), which was comprised of three types of experiments. First, the average coconut leaf beetle survival rate was measured when exposed to T. brontispae at five ratios: 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, and 5:1. Researchers also measured the effect of Tetratichus brontispae treatment duration using 5treatments, namely: 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 96 hours, and 120 hours of repeated 10 times. 3) Observation of biological parameters of Tetratichus brontispae was conducted qualitatively. The results showed that treatment with the highest level of parasitization occurred at the ratio of 3:1, as much as 20.75% parasitization, and the lowest level parasitization effect occurred at a level of the 1:1 ratio, as low as 7.07%, with the highest percentage survivability of T. Brontispae occurring on the first day (6.48%) and the lowest on day five at 1.29%. On average, 98.13% of T. Brontispae specimens produced offspring, and an average of 32.71% of specimens gave birth each day. Tetratichus brontispae adults had an average life span of 9-11 days, had no pre- oviposition period with the oviposition period occurring until day five. Specimens would die an average of 6 days following oviposition.

IN VITRO COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN INSECTICIDES AND THE COMMERCIAL BIOINSECTICIDE AGREE® WG

Compatibility studies are essential for the integration and simultaneous use of chemical and biological pest control methods since they are necessary for an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. In this work, the aim was to evaluate the compatibility of insecticides used in soybean and cotton crops for pest control with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The in vitro inoculation technique was used with B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki and B. thuringiensis var. aizawai, in culture medium containing the following insecticides: beta-cyfluthrin (Bulldock®), methomyl (Bazuka®), thiamethoxam + lambda-cialotrina (Engeo Pleno®), zeta-cypermethrin (Fury 200®), acetamiprid (Saurus®), bifenthrin + carbosulfano (Talisman®) and bifenthrin (Talstar®), in Petri dishes. The Petri dishes were taken to the B.O.D. (Biological Oxygen Demand), at a temperature of 30 ± 1 ºC, 70 ± 10% RH (relative humidity) and a photophase of 12 h, for 24 hours. Colony growth was measured, and Colony Forming Units (CFU) counted in the total area of the Petri dish. The product that allowed growth to be significantly equal to or higher than the control was established as compatible, and the one that did not allow growth or was significantly less than the control was incompatible. It was found that all insecticides were classified as incompatible with the bioinsecticide.

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease: Biological Pest Control Method to Evolve as a Transboundary Disease

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease: Biological Pest Control Method to Evolve as a Transboundary Disease

Importance of intercropping for biodiversity conservation

Traditional there are two strategies to handle pest problems in crop production, either dependence on non-chemical agricultural practices (such as cultural, mechanical, biological practices etc.) or reliance on existing natural pest control mechanisms. Intercropping is a cultural non-chemical agricultural practice where two or more crops are grown on the same field in a year with different cropping patterns. In this multiple cropping system, biodiversity and pest suppression are increased. Biodiversity can restore the natural elements of agro ecosystem because almost all favorable elements of natural enemies are available in diversified agro ecosystem. Energy intensive modern technology in agriculture is one of the vital causes for loss of biodiversity. In intercropping system biological pest control method can be ensured with higher level of crop diversity instead of energy intensive agriculture. Intercropping provides different benefits on pest management with two available hypotheses or mechanism. One of the hypotheses is the ‘resource concentration hypothesis’ and another is the ‘natural enemies hypothesis’. Intercropping, directly and indirectly, influences to increase biodiversity which results in reduction of pest densities in crop fields. As a result, less expense for use of pesticide is required and finally higher yield also add some financial benefits. Intercropping system utilizes inherent ability of plant to protect pests. Therefore further knowledge about genotypic crop diversity, diversity of natural enemies, chemically-mediated mechanisms of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) will be effective for further improvement of intercropping system for greater benefits.

Biological Pest Control of a Biscuit Beetle (Stegobium paniceum) Infestation in an Old Masters Paintings Storage Area

ABSTRACTWe report on biological control of an active infestation by biscuit beetles (Stegobium paniceum) of museum objects (Old Masters paintings) in the storage facilities of the Museum of Fine Arts in Vienna. Because chemical and non-chemical treatment methods would have been very problematic, the release of parasitic wasps (Lariophagus distinguendus) was discussed and accepted by the director of the collection. We released 3000 wasps every month from August 2013 until September 2014 in the two infested storage rooms and monitored the activity of biscuit beetles on sticky blunder traps and light traps, and also by visual inspection. In the insect monitoring of 2014 until 2018 no more biscuit beetles were found in the two storage depositories, showing that the treatment was 100% successful. To our knowledge, this is the first proof of a fully successful biological control of a museum pest using parasitoids only, and also of stored product/food pest, outside a laboratory experimental setup. This biological pest control method allowed avoiding negative side effects such as contamination from treatments with biocides, or costly logistics in case of chemical-free methods.

Sociotechnical controversies as warning signs for niche governance

In agriculture, not all sociotechnical niches seek to plant the seeds of further regime transition: Some niches are designed to last as stable subnetworks harboring alternative agri-food systems. However, such niches often interact with sociotechnical regimes, leading to controversies, conflicts, and threats to niches sustainability. This situation calls for proactive governance of niche-regime interactions. We studied the innovation process in the “Corsican clementine” niche, using semi-structured interviews and participant observation. We wondered how local actors have been dealing with three controversial innovations: a clementine variety, a biological pest control method, and a pruning technique. Cross-analysis of the three innovations shows that (i) the niche’s innovation pathway can be diverted by regime-driven innovations; (ii) to protect their niche, local actors set collective rules, both formal and informal; and (iii) controversies over technical innovations make niche-regime tensions more visible, leading local actors to make collective decisions for governing the innovation pathway. This study is the first to highlight the key role of sociotechnical controversies in niche governance.

Assessment of pests control methods and its perceived effect on agricultural production among farmers in Kwara state, Nigeria

The study examined the usage of chemical and biological pests control methods among the farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. A three-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents. A well structure questionnaire was used to collect the data for the study. Descriptive statistics and partial correlation were used in analyzing the data. The study revealed that all the farmers were aware of the cultural pest control method, while 73.3 and 17.5% were aware of chemical and biological methods, respectively. Also, it revealed that 44.2% of the respondents use the chemical method of pest control, 7.5% use the biological method while all use the cultural method of pest control. Television remains the major means of accessing information by the respondents. The perceived effect of pest control methods on shelf life, marketability, productivity and profitability of the agricultural product ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th most ranked effect with weighted mean score of 4.26, 3.44, 3.39 and 3.20, respectively while perceived effect on pollution, loss of soil fertility and ecosystem imbalance were ranked 7th, 8th and 9th, respectively. There is a significant (p < 0.05) relationship between age, educational level, household size, farm size and the perceived effect of both chemical and biological pest control methods. The study therefore concludes that majority of the respondents have adopted the use of chemical method over biological method of pest control and that farmers have been using integrated pest control management. The pest control methods used were believed to have a positive effect on shelf life, marketability and productivity of their agricultural products. The study recommends the need to sensitize famers on the use and benefits of biological pest control methods as well as the adverse effect that might result from the excessive usage of chemical pest control method given the growing rate of its adoption. Key words : cultural, chemical, biological, integrated management, shelf life, marketability

The behavioral response of the predatory bug Orius laevigatus Fieber (Heteroptera, Anthocoridae) to synthetic volatiles

The behavioral response of the predatory bug Orius laevigatus Fieber to synthetic analogues of secondary plant metabolites was studied. Two compounds most attractive to the bug, methyl salicylate and methyl jasmonate, were identified by olfactometer experiments and pot bioassays. The use of natural volatiles or their analogues as attractants for beneficial insects can significantly improve the efficiency of biological pest control methods.

Effect of different semiochemicals blends on spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

AbstractThe spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, is a recent new introduction to the Qilian Mountains of China. An outbreak of these beetles has infested over 0.03 million hectares of spruce forests in this area. Although primary attraction to volatiles has been clearly demonstrated for I. typographus, the existence and role of attraction to insect‐produced pheromones have been widely debated. Currently, commercial lures for I. typographus include only the volatiles ipsdienol, cis‐verbenol, trans‐verbenol, 2‐methyl‐3‐buten‐2‐ol and 2‐phenylethanol in Europe. Several potential pheromone candidates have been identified for I. typographus. Our GC–MS and GC–FID analyses volatiles from hindgut extracts of I. typographus in different attack phases demonstrated that the 2‐methyl‐3‐buten‐2‐ol, ipsdienol, cis‐verbenol and trans‐verbenol as major hindgut components, and ipsenol, 2‐phenylethanol, trans‐ myrtenol and verbenone as minor components. We tested various combinations of semiochemical candidates, to determine an optimal blend. Our results suggest that addition of 2‐methyl‐3‐buten‐2‐ol to either ipsenol alone, or to blends of ipsenol and other semiochemical candidates, significantly enhanced attraction of I. typographus. Therefore, a simple lure consisting of ipsenol and 2‐methyl‐3‐buten‐2‐ol would be an optimal blend of I. typographus in the Qilian Mountains, China. We conclude that this optimal semiochemical blend may provide an effective biological pest control method for use in forest ecosystem against I. typographus.

Farmers' Behaviors, Perceptions and Determinants of Fertilizer Application in China : Evidence from Six Eastern Provincial–level Regions

Based on a survey to 560 household farms in 6 provincial-level regions of eastern China, this paper stud- ies farmers' application of pesticides, including the amounts of chemical pesticides, use of toxic pesticides and biological pest-control methods. Meanwhile, it summarizes the farmers' perceptions, ranging from pes- ticides choosing and field application to the awareness on the withdrawal period, possible consequences of overdosing and disposal of the containers. Thereafter, 9 demographic indicators are incorporated as the can- didate determinants, including information on the householders, land-using and cropping structure, house- hold income and geographical location. Through the adoption of multivariate OLS and logistic regression models, this paper identifies significant determinants affected farmers' behaviors. Finally, several policy recommendations are put forward, including the countermeasures to increase pesticidal efficiency, decreas- ing the use of toxic pesticides, improving farmers' capability and awareness on scientific application of pes- ticides.

Observing population changes of thrips (Thysanoptera) species damaging forced pepper and their natural enemies

By the strengthening of environmental protection and food safety efforts in Hungary, integrated and especially biological pest control methods should increasingly put forward, for which a solid knowledge on the life course and efficiency of natural enemies applied against certain pests is necessary. Pepper has distinguished significance in domestic vegetable forcing, and the profitability of production is determined primarily by the efficiency of the control of thrips pests. This is why we attached great importance to study what results may be expected by introducing arthropod predators (Amblyseius cucumeris, Orius laevigatus) to control thrips species under domestic conditions on rock wool in a long vegetation period pepper culture. We also liked to find out what kind of role the cultivars play in the change of phytophagous and zoophagous populations. The A. cucumeris predatory mite introduced in late January proved to be effective in controlling thrips pests until mid-April. Despite repeated introductions, the predatory bug O. laevigatus (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) did not proliferate. Among the three pepper cultivars (Hó, Keceli, Titán) grown at Ráckeve, thrips species proliferated in the highest number on cultivar 'Hó', while the population of predatory mites was lowest on the cultivar 'Titan', compared to the other two cultivars.