Pest Complex Research Articles

The effect of crop rotation on populations of major entomophages (review)

The analysis of the literature data on the assessment of the impact of crop rotations on the protection of cereals and other crops from a complex of dominant pests using elements of landscape design is carried out. The conservation of biodiversity and the activation of natural entomophages with an increase in their efficiency contributes to the stabilization of agroecosystems. There has been established a positive effect on the life expectancy and number of natural enemies of phytophages when using nectar crops and other methods, which make it possible to reduce chemical pesticide treatments up to their complete abolition without loss of productivity and product quality. There has been clarified the importance of crop rotations in creating a refuge for natural entomophages. Proper planning of crop rotations refers to methods of manipulating the habitat and can significantly increase the efficiency of entomophages in pest control, which is especially important for organic farming. Scientifically substantiated crop rotation with the inclusion of various methods (sowing of variety mixtures, nectar-bearing crops, marginal trapping crops, etc.) contributes to the stabilization of the ecological state of agroecosystems, increases the level of profitability of agricultural production and safety of the natural environment. The current paper may be of greatest interest to farmers and large commodity producers.

The Effect of Spray Regimes on the Population Dynamics of Selected Field Pests and Their Effect on Grain Yield and Yield Components of Common Bean in Uganda.

In Uganda, the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is often infested by a complex of insect pests, but bean flies, aphids, bean leaf beetles, and flower thrips are the most important. Whereas yield losses due to these pests have been established, there is limited information on their population dynamics at different stages of crop growth and their effect on yield and yield components. In order to describe the population dynamics of selected common bean pests at various phases of bean crop growth, and their impact on yield and yield components, a study was carried out in Uganda during the 2016 second rains and the 2017 first rains in three agro-ecological zones. Bean flies, bean aphids, bean leaf beetles, whitefly, striped bean weevil, leafhoppers, and caterpillars were the main insects observed. Pesticide spray schedules were imposed to generate different populations of insect pests whose effects on yield and its components were determined. The findings indicate that spray regimes significantly influenced the abundance of bean flies and leafhoppers, but not the other insect pests. Additionally, except for caterpillars, insect pests were significantly influenced by crop growth stages, but only leafhoppers exhibited a significant negative relationship with grain yield. Furthermore, yield and yield components varied significantly between spray regimes, and there was a significant positive relationship between grain yield and yield components. Our study is important for informing growers on the stage of crop growth at which management tactics such as use of insecticides can be applied for different insect pests.

Biological Effectiveness of Tank Mixtures of Pesticides and Micronutrients in the Protection of Winter Wheat and Their Effect on Grain Yield and Quality

The effectiveness of protecting winter wheat from pests and diseases, yield and grain quality were studied by using tank mixtures of new pesticides and agrochemicals, mainly of domestic production. The study was conducted in small-scale experiments in the conditions of the forest-steppe of the Central Chernozem region in crops of winter soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) of the Krasa Dona variety. The size of plots in the experiments is 30 m2, the repeatability is fourfold, the placement of plots is randomized. Tank insectofungicidal mixtures of Sparring + Ace and Klonrin + Elatus Ace individually and in combination with micronutrient Biostim Zernovoy were studied. To control the insectofungicidal effect, a tank mixture of Vostorg + Ceriax Plus, studied earlier, was used. Application of insectofungal tank mixtures Sparring + Ace and Klonrin + Elatus Ace individually and with micro-fertilization of Biostim Zernovoy in winter soft wheat crops of the Krasa Dona variety provided high biological efficacy against a complex of pests and diseases. The insecticidal activity of tank mixtures was 96.5–100, fungicidal – 78.3–90.5%. Spraying of winter wheat with tank insectofungicidal mixtures individually and with micro-fertilization contributed to a significant increase in the yield of winter soft wheat. The largest grain yield increases of 12.9 and 13.6 c/ha were obtained in variants with Sparring + Ace + Biostim Zernovoy and Klonrin + Elatus Ace + Biostim Zernovoy combinations. The use of the studied tank mixtures individually and with micro-fertilization increased the quality of winter wheat grain: the content of crude gluten increased by 2.1–3.4% relative to the control, and its quality improved.

Pest succession and efficacy of newer insecticides and organic inputs including botanical and bio-pesticides against sucking pest complex of pigeon pea

Pest succession and efficacy of newer insecticides and organic inputs including botanical and bio-pesticides against sucking pest complex of pigeon pea

Evaluation of transplant drench and foliar insecticide applications for wireworm (Coleoptera: Elateridae) management in sweetpotato.

The revocation of chlorpyrifos tolerances in 2022 left sweetpotato growers without their most important tool to combat a complex of soil-borne root pests that includes wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae). Since then, growers have reported increased root damage despite a rapid pivot to pyrethroid-based management systems to replace mechanically incorporated preplant chlorpyrifos broadcast sprays. Our goal was to evaluate the efficacy of alternative insecticide chemistries and application methods to expand the portfolio of management options for wireworms, specifically Conoderus spp. and Melanotus communis (Gyllenhal). We tested (i) insecticidal transplant water drenches and (ii) a foliar spray program targeting adult elaterids. We found that incorporating insecticides into transplant water reduced wireworm damage when compared to untreated transplant water. Our treatments included a recently registered meta-diamide, broflanilide, which represents a promising path to diversify active ingredients and shift away from an overreliance on preplant and post-directed pyrethroid soil sprays. Foliar spray plots had less damage than plots that did not receive foliar sprays. One benefit of adult-focused management is the availability of effective monitoring tools such as sex pheromones and blacklight trapping. Developing a robust adult monitoring program would enable more precise applications of foliar insecticides versus season-long prophylactic soil sprays targeting larvae. Our results demonstrated a significant benefit to both alternative delivery methods. These management alternatives could expand treatment options beyond traditional preplant and post-directed pyrethroid sprays.

Food as a factor determining the physiological state of populations of the phytopagous pests of agricultural crops

Relevance. Trophic relationships along with competition and mutualism are the most basic and significant interactions in ecosystems. To develop, survive, and multiply, insects need to consume a certain amount of nutrients at a certain ratio. Food products are complex mixes of nutrients and non-nutritive substances (sometimes toxic ones): macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and water. Some nutrients are essential; insects lack the ability to synthesize them in their bodies and must obtain them from their diet or through symbiosis with beneficial organisms. Identification mechanisms being well developed in the system “phytophagous insect – plant” allow insects to successfully spread, multiply, and feed on certain plant species. The complex of hydrolytic enzymes in the insect intestine is one of the main targets for plant defense responses because these enzymes determine the availability of structural compounds for phytophagous insects. For this reason, enzymes in the insect intestine play a key role in the adaptation of insects to the pest resistance of fodder plants. For instance, when proteinase inhibitors are synthesized in a fodder plant as the result of induced insect resistance the complex of enzymes in an insect intestine might change negating the effect of these inhibitors. The development of co-adaptations due to interactions among species in food chains depends on a complicated constellation of conflicting relationships between consumers and food objects. The mechanisms of this influence may be rooted in the allelochemical interactions in the system “phytophagous insect – plant recipient”. Allelopathic interactions are among the most complex interactions because they are constituted by direct and indirect effects. Plants when damaged by phytophagous insects activate defense responses, which incorporate several mechanisms, including an increase in the concentration of secondary metabolites, many of which are phenolic compounds.The aim of the work is to describe the mechanisms of relationships in the system “phytophage-plant”. Conclusion. Management of processes of intra-water divergence of insect-phytophages in agrobiocoenoses in order to prevent the emergence of races and populations of pests adapted to live on initially resistant to them plant forms is possible in compliance with the transition to a targeted selection of agricultural crops for resistance to a complex of pests.

A Current View on Strawberry Production Practices and Trends in the Northeastern United States and Canada

Strawberries (Fragaria ×ananassa) are an important crop for diversified fruit and vegetable farms in the northeastern United States as well as in Ontario and Québec, Canada. The industry in this cold climate region differs greatly from that in the major strawberry-producing states of Florida and California because strawberries typically represent a smaller share of total farm revenue and are sold primarily through retail markets. In recent years, strawberry production and marketing methods in the northeastern United States and Canada have diversified to meet the unique challenges of the region, including regional demand, extended seasons, and management of an increasingly challenging pest and disease complex. In 2020, we distributed an online survey to 163 commercial producers to obtain a snapshot of marketing and production practices used on strawberry-producing farms in this region and to assess research and outreach needs to better serve the industry. We conducted in-depth case study interviews with a small number of producers after the survey. We found that traditional June-bearing strawberry production continues to represent >50% of production, and that most fruit are grown conventionally. Day-neutral strawberry production was reported by an increased number of producers in New York as well as in Canada, and a higher percentage of day-neutral growers, compared to that of June-bearing producers, reported using protected culture. Botrytis (gray mold), weeds, and leaf spots were the top overall pest pressures indicated by growers. Survey respondents preferred written outreach materials and on-farm meetings to obtain information. Integrated pest management, organic production, and cultivar performance were the top priorities for subjects. The survey and interviews also provided information about the most common strategies for winter protection, frequency of pesticide applications, lifespan of plantings, and other current strawberry production practices in the region. Our survey results may be used by researchers and extension professionals to better serve this diversifying industry.

Resistance of Bt and Non-Bt Soybean Cultivars Adapted to Novel Growing Regions of Brazil to Chrysodeixis includens and Spodoptera frugiperda.

Soybean is a highly valuable commodity crop for Brazil's economy. However, it faces significant threats from the attack of a complex of lepidopteran pests, particularly Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). These pests have been managed primarily using transgenic Bt soybeans, but limited knowledge exists about the resistance levels of Bt and non-Bt cultivars adapted to novel soybean-growing areas in Brazil, such as the Minas Gerais state. This study evaluated the resistance levels of Bt and non-Bt soybean cultivars to C. includens and S. frugiperda, and whether the Bt cultivars can differentially affect these pests across larval stages. No-choice bioassays were conducted using Bt (NS6010 IPRO and P97R50 IPRO) and non-Bt soybeans (UFLA 6301 RR, P96R90 RR, and ANsc 80111 RR) at V4-stage in the laboratory with neonate (24 h) and third-instar larvae. Larvae were fed leaf discs in Petri dishes, recording the mortality, leaf consumption, and weight gain after 7 days. There was high mortality of C. includens neonates on the Bt cultivars, but this trend was not observed for older larvae. For S. frugiperda neonates, there was high mortality on the Bt cultivar NS 6010 IPRO and non-Bt cultivar UFLA 6301 RR, but only the former was effective for older larvae. Although the Bt cultivars did not kill the third instars, antinutritional effects were found, such that leaf tissue consumed was not converted to larval weight gain. These findings are important for defining regional strategies of integrated and resistance management of C. includens and S. frugiperda in expanding regions of soybean cultivation in Brazil.

Have native insect pests associated with a native crop in Maine declined over the past three to five decades?

Abstract Lowbush blueberry is an important berry crop in Maine (USA), Quebec and the Maritime provinces of Canada. The other economically important crops in Maine are potato, dairy and organic mixed vegetable produce. Lowbush blueberry is a complex of 1–4 Vaccinium species, primarily dominated by Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton. All but one of the insect pest species in this crop system are native to the regions where it is managed in North America. Insect decline has been shown to be a recent global phenomenon although it has rarely been studied in agricultural ecosystems. Long‐term datasets of insect species abundances are a powerful tool for insect population trends. To determine if native insect pests have declined over the past several decades in Maine lowbush blueberry, we surveyed three native species. All surveys were conducted in commercial blueberry fields; although, none of the sample sites were sprayed with insecticides. Insect pest sampling comprised two surveys (1961–2014 and 1998–2017) conducted on the larval stage of the blueberry maggot fly (Rhagoletis mendax Curran), one survey (1981–2016) on the larval stage of the blueberry spanworm (Itame argillacearia (Packard)), and one survey (1983–2019) on the larval stage of the blueberry flea beetle (Altica sylvia Malloch). Based upon the analysis of our long‐term population‐level datasets, we found no evidence that insect decline has occurred in this native blueberry insect pest complex intimately associated with the lowbush blueberry, a native crop plant in North America, despite recent documentation of rapid climate change occurring in the lowbush blueberry production areas.

Population Dynamics and Environmental Correlates of Insect Pests in Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus (T.)

The study was conducted in Kandavara village, Chikkaballapur district, during 2021, investigated the insect pest complex affecting watermelon, Citrullus lanatus (T) following standard crop management practices but without any insecticidal interventions to assess the natural occurrence of insect pests. Weekly observations were made from February to April (2021) employing various sampling methods to monitor key pests, including leaf miners, thrips, whiteflies, fruit flies, leaf-eating caterpillars, and pumpkin beetles. The study revealed that leaf miners, Liriomyza trifolii (Frick) were the first to appear, peaking in the 11th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) with 6.45 leaf mines per five leaves. Thrips, Thrips palmi Karny and whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) emerged during the vegetative stage, showing a significant positive correlation with maximum temperature. Fruit flies, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) caused the most significant damage during the fruiting stage, with a peak incidence of 14.92 per cent in the 15th SMW. The study highlighted that higher temperature had a positive correlation with pest populations, while rainfall had a negative correlation reducing the pest activity. These findings emphasize the importance of precise timing in pest management interventions to minimize crop losses and enhance the sustainability and productivity of watermelon cultivation in India.

Estimation of Avoidable Yield Losses Due to Pest Complex in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023 at the research farm of Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, to evaluate the yield losses caused by a pest complex on cowpea. The pooled study of both year revealed that the highest total avoidable loss was observed in the untreated control (NP) at 40.90%, followed by the PVS treatment (imidacloprid 17.8 SL) at 24.45%. The lowest avoidable loss was recorded in the PRS treatment (chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC) at 13.49%. The treatment PTS (imidacloprid 17.8 SL and chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC) showed the highest increase in cowpea seed yield over control, with a 69.24% increase, followed by PRS with a 46.29% increase. Conversely, the PVS treatment exhibited the lowest yield increase at 27.83%. Maximum yield of 1049.70 kg ha⁻¹ was achieved with the PTS treatment, while the lowest 620.40 kg ha⁻¹ in the NP treatment. The PVS and PRS treatments yielded 793.10 kg ha⁻¹ and 908.20 kg ha⁻¹, respectively.

Complexities in the Implementation and Maintenance of Integrated Pest Management in Potato.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is an educated and systematic effort to use multiple control techniques to reduce pest damage to economically acceptable levels while minimizing negative environmental impacts. Although its benefits are widely acknowledged, IPM is not universally practiced by farmers. Potato farming, which produces one of the most important staple crops in the world, provides a good illustration of the issues surrounding IPM adoption. Potatoes are attacked by a complex of insect pests that can inflict catastrophic crop losses. Potato production has gone through the processes of consolidation and intensification, which are linked to increased pest problems, particularly selection for insecticide-resistant pest populations. While use of insecticides remains the most common method of pest control in potatoes, other techniques, including crop rotation and natural enemies, are also available. In addition, there are effective monitoring techniques for many potato pests. However, reliable economic thresholds are often lacking. Potato ecosystems are complex and diverse; therefore, the knowledge necessary for developing ecologically based pest management is not easily obtained or transferable. Furthermore, potato systems change with the arrival of new pest species and the evolution of existing pests. Modern technological advances, such as remote sensing and molecular biotechnology, are likely to improve potato IPM. However, these tools are not going to solve all problems. IPM is not just about integrating different techniques; it is also about integrating the efforts and concerns of all stakeholders. The collaboration of farmers and scientists in agricultural research is needed to foster the development of IPM systems that are appropriate for grower implementation and thus more likely to be adopted. Additional emphasis also needs to be placed on the fact that not only does IPM decrease degradation of the environment, but it also improves the economic well-being of its practitioners.

Exploring multigene families of odorant binding proteins and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in the stink bug pest complex through comparative transcriptomics

Exploring multigene families of odorant binding proteins and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in the stink bug pest complex through comparative transcriptomics

Efficacy of Biopesticides and Insecticides against Lepidopteran Pests in Rainfed Castor

Field experiments were conducted during kharif 2022 to evaluate the bio-efficacy of biopesticides and insecticides against tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (F.);semilooper, Achaea janata L. and shoot and capsule borer, Conogethes punctiferalis Guenee on castor. The results revealed that, all the insecticide treatments were significantly superior over untreated control. The highest% reduction of lepidopteran pest complex over the control after three sprays was recorded with spinetoram 11.7 SC followed by cyantraniliprole 10.26 OD, Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) SC, profenophos 50 EC, lambda cyhalothrin 5 EC and B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) WP 1.5, Beauveria bassiana SC and Neemazal 10000 PPM. Highest seed yield was recorded with spinetoram (1434 kg/ ha) followed by cyantraniliprole (1338 kg/ ha) as against 940 kg/ ha in untreated control. The maximum incremental cost-benefit ratio of 1:3.13 was obtained with application of spinetoram followed by lambda-cyhalothrin (1:3.00) and Btk SC (1:2.73).

Impacts of the Ban on the Soil-Applied Fumigant Methyl Bromide.

The loss of the soil fumigant methyl bromide (MeBr) and adoption of soil fumigant alternatives has been challenging for farmers, particularly for those crops in which pathogens previously controlled by MeBr have emerged as significant problems, but it has resulted in some unanticipated benefits for the scientific community and the environment. Applauded as one of the most effective environmental agreements to date, the universally accepted Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances has had a significant impact on the environment, reducing the release of halogenated compounds from anthropogenic sources enough to mitigate global warming by an estimated 1.1°C by 2021. The funding associated with various MeBr transition programs has increased collaboration across scientific disciplines, commodity groups, industry, and regulatory agencies. Chemical alternatives and improved application strategies, including the development of gas-retentive agricultural films, coupled with sound efficacy data and grower ingenuity have resulted in the sustained production of many of the impacted crops; although there has been some loss of acreage and value, particularly for Florida fumigated crops, for some, value has continued to increase, allowing production to continue. The loss of a single, broad-spectrum tool for pest control has led to a deeper understanding of the specific pest complexes impacting these at-risk crops, as well as the development of new, biologically based management tools for their control while increasing our understanding of the role of the soil microbiome in pest control and crop production.

Comparative Economics of Different Management Tactics by Novel Insecticides against Pest Complex on Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) under Protected Conditions

Field experiment was conducted under shade net house at Hi-Tech Horticulture Farm, Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura (Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner), Jaipur, Rajasthan to work out the economics and cost benefit ratio of different management strategies by three spraying of eleven bio-rationale and newer pesticides against Yellow Mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks), thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover, Myzus persicae Sulzer), Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and Beat army worm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) during summer 2014 and 2015 on capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.). The result on the basis of pooled data indicated that maximum net profit of Rs 77185/ha was obtained in the treatment of fipronil 0.005% with the yield of 51.46 q/ha followed by emamectin benzoate 0.002% (Rs 67422/ha) with the yield of 49.77 q/ha. The minimum net profit of Rs 23840/ha was recorded in the treatment of NSKE 5% followed by azadirachtin 0.0003% (Rs 29876). The net profit ranging from Rs 53613/ha to Rs 60263/ha was computed in the treatment of acephate (Rs 53613/ha), spiromesifen (Rs 59971/ha), spinosad (Rs 58262/ha) and indoxacarb (Rs 60263/ha), whereas, Rs 39125/ha to 41476/ha was found in propargite and novaluron. The maximum incremental cost benefit ratio (1:20.23) was found in fipronil (0.005%) followed by 1:17.99 in the treatment of acephate (0.075%). The minimum ICBR (1:4.64) was recorded in the treatments of novaluron followed by spinosad (1:5.96). Study revealed that three spray of fipronil 5 SC @ 1 ml/l or emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 0.4 g/l can be suggested to the farmers for the management of pest complex on capsicum under shade net house conditions during summer for off season production.

The Beneficial Effects of Soluble Silicon Fertilizer in Dendrobium Orchids: Silicon-Augmented Resistance against Damage by Insect Pests and Fungal Pathogens.

The effects of soluble silicon fertilization on monocots and dicots have been widely studied. However, little is known regarding its effects on protecting epiphytes against insect and fungal pests. The efficacy of silicon fertilizer to reduce damage by thrips pest complexes, namely: Thrips palmi Karny, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, Chaetanaphothrips orchidii Moulton, and Chaetanaphothrips signipennis Bagnall (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), and the fungal pathogens: Botrytis cinerea Persoon (Helotiales: Sclerotiniaceae) and Fusarium spp. Link (Hypocreales: Nectriaceae) was examined during a nine-month greenhouse trial in Hawaii. The trial assessed yield, quality, and pest damage across three common varieties of dendrobiums. All replicates received additional soluble silicon fertilizer applications alternating weekly between soil drench and foliar (50 mg Si/plant) applications. Yield, quality, and spray length, pest damage, plant vigor, SPAD, and leaf temperature were measured. Data were analyzed using a generalized linear model (glm) with repeated measures followed by post-hoc pair-wise comparisons in R, version 4.3.1. Treatment effects were significant at p < 0.001 for the majority of the explanatory variables including: marketable yield, spray length, thrips damage, and fungal damage. Overall, the lavender variety ('Uniwai Supreme') benefited the most from silicon applications with a 73.0% increase in marketable yield, compared to the white variety ('Uniwai Mist'), which had an increase of 50.6% marketable sprays in contrast to its untreated control. Si benefits conferred to the purple variety ('Uniwai Royale') were intermediate to the lavender and white varieties. Although the magnitude of Si benefits varied among the varieties, all dendrobium varieties significantly benefited from silicon fertilization.

Effectiveness of tank mixtures of protectants and micro fertilizers against a complex of pests and diseases of spring barley

Seed dressing is a mandatory environmentally and cost-effective technique for cultivating spring barley in modern technologies. The work aimed to increase the efficiency of protection of spring barley by using tank mixtures of new insecticidal, fungicidal, and insectofungicidal protectants with micro fertilizers. The studies were conducted in 2021–2022. on crops of spring barley of the Grace variety in the forest-steppe conditions of Russia’s Central Black Earth Region (the soil is leached medium-loamy chernozem). It was established that the insectofungicide Armor Quadra (0.8 l/t) and a tank mixture of the Bombarda insecticide (1.0 l/t) with the Heraklion fungicide (1.0 l/t) when treating spring barley seeds were highly effective against a complex of pests: molding of seeds, root rot, striped flea beetles, grain flies. About pests, the effectiveness of the tank insectofungicidal mixture Bombarda (1.0 l/t) + Heraklion (1.0 l/t) corresponded to the level of individual use of the drug Bombarda (1.0 l/t). It was higher than the standard and the drug Armor Quadra (0 .8 l/t) against grain flea beetles by 6.8–8.5%, against grain flies – by 6.2–6.4%. Using the studied pesticides with microfertilizers Polishing (0.2 l/t) and MegamixPhosphorus (2.0 l/t) increased the field germination of spring barley seeds by an average of 5.0–6.0% relative to the control. The addition of microfertilizers increased the effectiveness of pesticides against root rot in the tillering phase by 4.5–7.0% and in the heading phase – by 4.8–6.8%. Results of evaluation of the insectofungicide Armor Quadra (0.8 l/t) and the insectofungicidal tank mixture Bombarda (1.0 l/t) + Heraklion (1.0 l/t) individually and in combination with Polishance microfertilizers (0.2 l/t ) and Megamix-Phosphorus (2.0 l/t) showed a positive effect of seed treatment on the formation of crop structure elements and the yield of spring barley. The addition of microfertilizers to the studied tank mixtures contributed to a significant increase in the yield of spring barley by an average of 3.0–4.7 c/ha, which made it possible in variants with seed treatment with the insectofungicide Armor Quadra (0.8 l/t) and the insectofungicidal mixture Bombarda (1 .0 l/t) + Heraklion (1.0 l/t) in combination with microfertilizers Polishing (0.2 l/t) and Megamix-Phosphorus (2.0 l/t) to obtain the most significant increases in grain yield compared to the control – 11.0–13.2 c/ha.

GIS-Based Tool for Pest Specific Area-Wide Planning of Crop Rotation Distance with Land Use Data.

Crop rotation is an important strategy for pest reduction. For mono-, or oligophagous pests that overwinter at a previously infested site, crop rotation means that the pests must find new host crop sites in the following year, and it is more efficient if a pest-specific distance is applied. Here, we report the development of a GIS-based tool for efficient cultivation planning using the example of the pest complex pea moth (Cydia nigricana) and grain and green peas (Pisum sativum). Monitoring data for four consecutive years (2016-2019) from 513 sites were used. Infestation of pea seeds and the distance to the previous year's pea sites were recorded. An adjustable Python script was developed by means of infestation-distance-correlation as a pest and crop-specific minimum migration distance (MD). The output of the tool is a risk map as decision support for cultivation planning. It shows different risk buffers with distances from 1261 m to 1825 m, depending on the cultivation type. The web tool is easily adjustable to other pests and crops anywhere in the world. The tool helps to prevent damages caused by agricultural, mono-, or oligophagous insect pests and consequently reduces pesticide applications for the benefit of the environment and biodiversity.

Population dynamics of pod pest complex of pigeonpea

A field experiment was conducted at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, to study the population dynamics of pod pest complex of pigeonpea. The observations were recorded at fortnightly intervals starting from flower initiation stage upto the harvest of the crop. The peak activity of gram pod borer (3.63 larvae/plant), spotted pod borer (3.63 larvae/plant) and pod bugs (4.62 bugs/plant)was observed during 50th Standard Meteorological Week. The pod damage caused by Helicoverpa armigera (25.02%) and Maruca vitrata (16.77%) was also highest during 50th Standard Meteorological Week. The maximum pod damage by plume moth (12.02%) was noticed at 52nd Standard Meteorological Week. The 52nd Standard Meteorological Week witnessed highest pod fly population (10.80 maggots / 10 pods), per cent pod damage (27.75%), and per cent seed damage (17.51%).The correlation studies of incidence of pod pest to prevalent weather parameters revealed that, gram pod borer and the spotted pod borer were more prevalent as the minimum temperature rose, but pod fly and pod bugs population increased negatively. There was a negative correlation between the population of all pod pest, including gram pod borer, spotted pod borer, pod bugs and pod fly with maximum relative humidity, minimum relative humidity and rainfall.