Pest Management Methods Research Articles

Moringa olifera leave extracts yielded from irradiated and unirradiated seeds cause toxicity and induce dysregulation of enzymatic activities in fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith, 1797) [Lepidoptera: Noctuidae]

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda is the most distractive polyphagous noctuid pest in tropical and subtropical regions. The current study was designed to examine the insecticidal activity of the water extract of Moringa olifiera leaves cultivated from unirradiated and 40 Gy irradiated seeds. Also, the effect of the extract on some digestive enzymes activities was assayed. The results indicated that the extract produced from 40 Gy irradiated seeds was more effective than those of unirradiated one. As well as, leaves extract produced from cultivated irradiated and unirradiated seeds decrease lipase protease and amylase activities of 3rd instar larvae of S. frugiperda and the highest decrease was in larvae fed on leaves produced from irradiated cultivated seeds. Therefore, the water extract of M. olifiera leaves cultivated from 40 Gy irradiated seeds might be seen as an environmentally beneficial pest management method.

Exploring Ethics in Museum Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been widely employed as an effective method to control or eliminate pest populations within museum collections (Pinniger and Crossman 2021). IPM emphasizes the use of targeted treatments and pesticide alternatives including low temperature, oxygen reduction, or replacement with gasses such as nitrogen, and species-specific lures on sticky traps. These treatments, combined with routine inspections, monitoring, good housekeeping, and exclusion create a more holistic and less toxic environment for the museum’s collections and people. But what about the pests themselves? The definition of a “pest” varies within each industry and it is paramount to consider ethical standards when implementing a pest management program not just for the environment and people, but for the animals targeted. Efforts have been made to minimize harm to rodents and other mammals deemed “pests,” such as banning certain poisons and using catch-and-release methods, but less consideration has been made for insects and arachnids. This talk explores ethics in museum IPM practices to foster a better understanding of our relationship with these living beings. For any museum collection, a primary objective is to limit the potential economic and health risks to the objects under their stewardship and care. The implementation of simple routine practices emphasizing preventive care, works to mitigate the risk of pest entry while deterring the need for more widespread, expensive, and time-consuming methods of pest management. Currently, standard pest monitoring practice employs sticky monitors that are thinly coated with glue and set out in collections storage and galleries to trap and observe potential pest insects. In most cases, any trapped being is killed. While there is, as of yet, no successful replacement for this monitoring system, the sustained practice of IPM with ethical considerations lessens the inopportune demise of insects, arachnids, and small mammals deemed pests. When considering ethics in pest management, there is the question of value. What value do “pests” have? As posited by Michael L. Draney in Ethical Obligations Toward Insect Pests, considering pest insects as individuals limits the development of sustainable and functional ethics for pest management. However, Draney does argue that insect populations are worthy of ethical consideration (Draney 1997). Building on these principles, I believe there is space in pest management to control these populations, protecting our collections, while recognizing the value of these beings and mitigating their suffering. The IPM methods that can help us achieve the goals of protecting museum collections while incorporating an ethical approach to pest management are: prevention, exclusion, and potentially, repellents. The first method, prevention, is the effort to keep pests out, and serves as the foundation and ethical cornerstone for IPM. Prevention is strongest when paired with exclusion, the active discouragement of pest entry. Exclusion aims to keep living beings—other than humans—outside, where they are not pests. This includes reducing entry points from outside the museum, vacuuming exit routes and hallways, organizing a committee of multiple departments tasked with finding collaborative methods of achieving exclusion and integrating pest management into the fundamentals of exhibition design. A commitment to exclusion marks a significant undertaking: it cannot be done alone. There must be a community of people who believe and steward the effort from within, not just individual professionals and volunteers. This is, perhaps, the most significant obstacle faced by a policy of exclusion: obtaining the buy-in and commitment to approaches centered around striking a new balance for IPM between economic expediency and the protection of the collections in question. Non-hazardous and non-invasive pest management is not just beneficial for the health of pests, but also that of museum workers and visitors. Many pesticides used in collections are effective at killing pests while being toxic to humans and the environment. For the health of the collections, humans, and pests, employing preventive methods such as housekeeping, exclusion, and potentially natural repellents reduces the pest’s opportunities for entering the museum (Brennan and Moreau 2019). Integrated Pest Management is a well-established and successful practice for collections care. The suggestions above require us to shift our focus from protecting our items at the expense of other beings to more inclusive approaches. This abstract does not aim to say anything particularly radical regarding IPM, but rather to support the simple and practical use of preventive measures and ethical considerations that benefit our institutions and bugs.

Pathways for accidental biocontrol: The human-mediated dispersal of insect predators and parasitoids.

Introductions of insect predators and parasitoids for biological control are a key method for pest management. Yet in recent decades, biological control has become more strictly regulated and less frequent. Conversely, the rate of unintentional insect introductions through human activities is rising. While accidental introductions of insect natural enemies can potentially have serious ecological consequences, they are challenging to quantify as their movements go largely unobserved. We used historical border interception records collected by the US Department of Agriculture from 1913 to 2018 to describe the diversity of entomophagous insects transported unintentionally, their main introduction pathways, and trends in host specificity. There were 35,312 interceptions of insect predators and parasitoids during this period, representing 93 families from 11 orders, and 196 species from these families. Commodity associations varied, but imported plants and plant products were the main introduction pathway. Most interceptions originated with commodities imported from the Neotropical, Panamaian, and Western Palearctic regions. Among the intercepted species, 27% were found in material originating from more than one country. Two thirds of species were polyphagous host generalists. Furthermore, 25% of species had already been introduced intentionally as biological control agents internationally, and 4.6% have documented negative impacts on native biodiversity or human society. Most of the intercepted species that have not established in the United States are host generalists or have at least one known host species available. The unintentional transport of diverse natural enemy insects has the potential to cause substantial ecological impacts, both in terms of controlling pests through accidental biocontrol and disrupting native communities. Characterizing the insects being transported and their introduction pathways can inform biosecurity practices and management.

Embracing Biological Control of Septoria Tritici Blotch for Sustainable Wheat Protection

ABSTRACTWheat, one of the top‐produced cereals worldwide, is affected by many abiotic and biotic stresses, such as the ascomycete fungus Zymoseptoria tritici, the causal agent of Septoria tritici blotch (STB). STB has historically been managed with fungicides, but the pathogen readily overcomes chemical control because of its rapid genetic evolution. In addition, many fungicides are now being banned or limited by governments aiming for more environment‐friendly methods for pest management. This scenario gave rise to thinking about alternative control means such as biological control agents (BCAs) and organism‐derived biomolecules (ODBs). In this work, we review microbial BCA candidates and ODBs currently studied for the control of STB. Key studies have identified successful candidates including bacterial strains of the genera Pseudomonas and Bacillus, and fungal strains such as Trichoderma harzianum, Penicillium olsonii and Acremonium alternatum. In addition, lesser‐studied fungi, bacteria and compounds have been tested. Despite promising research, no BCA or ODB has been registered or commercially used against STB, and field trials are notably lacking, with existing studies being limited in scale. Further understanding of the interactions between Z. tritici and the wheat microbiome may uncover new potential candidates for STB biocontrol.

Evaluation of selected crops for rearing predatory mite (Phytoseiulus persimilis), a predator of two-spotted red spider mites

The damage caused by two-spotted spider mites, and the risks associated with chemical pesticides, including health and environmental risks necessitate the exploration of sustainable pest management methods. Predatory mites, such as Phytoseiulus persimilis, are effective biocontrol agents against pests like the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae). Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the suitability of different crops for rearing predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) and assess their effectiveness in controlling two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). Linear regression analysis showed significant effects of selected crops on mite populations across all collection times (Collection 1: F (3, 8) = 22.46, p = 0.0003; Collection 2: F (3, 8) = 11.45, p = 0.0029; and Collection 3: F (3, 8) = 9.17, p = 0.0057). ANOVA showed significant differences in mite counts among the crops (F (3, 32) = 18.06, p < 0.001), corroborated by bootstrapping analysis. Beans demonstrated the highest potential for supporting predatory mite populations, followed by eggplant and black nightshade, illustrating that crop diversification can enhance predatory mite production while suggesting adoption of Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to reduce pesticide costs and environmental impacts. There is the need for collaborative research and policy support to drive innovation and promote sustainable pest management practices in agriculture, thus addressing pesticide-use related environmental issues.

CONSTRUCTION OF TEST AND MEASUREMENT OF KNOWLEDGE LEVEL OF CLUSTER FRONTLINE DEMONSTRATIONS PULSE FARMERS

A study was conducted during March 2021-22 in Central Telangana Zone, India to measure the knowledge level of CFLD-farmers on pulses by constructing a Knowledge Test battery on CFLD-Pulses. Relevant items were collected from review of literature, publications and discussion with scientists of related fields. For relevancy test, 30 items were sent to 50 experts for their judgement. Based on experts’ judgement, 25 items were selected for item analysis and administrated to 30 non sample farmers. Item analysis was done by item difficulty index, item discrimination index and point biserial correlation and 22 items were finalized for knowledge test. Reliability (Test-retest method) and validity (point biserial correlation) were estimated for standardization of the test and found to be highly significant. The test was finally administered to 160 respondents (100 beneficiary and 60 non-beneficiary farmers) of CFLD programme conducted by KVK Wyra and KVK Malyal belonging to Khammam and Mahabubabad Districts of Telangana state respectively (50 beneficiary and 30 non-beneficiaries from each KVK). Majority of the CFLD-beneficiaries (59%) and (50%) of non-beneficiaries were in medium category followed by 28% beneficiary and 13% non-beneficiary farmers under high knowledge category. The item analysis indicated significant differences in knowledge level of farmers pertaining to Non-insecticidal methods of pest management, stage at which field day is conducted, wilt tolerant variety of red gram, recommended improved varieties of pulses for kharif and rabi.

Reviews on the Strategies Employed in Implementing the 'Push-Pull' Approach to Integrated Pest Management

Abstract: For small-holder maize farmers in Africa, the push-pull strategy is outlined as an alternate ecological management technique to traditional insecticide-based integrated pest management for the control of the spotted stem borer Chilo partellus and the autumn armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda. Push-Pull Technology (abbreviated PPT) is a unique integrated pest management method developed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) and its partners. This tactic involves influencing the behavior of natural enemies and insect pests by strategically deploying stimuli that make the resource under protection unappealing or inappropriate for the pests (the "push"). Additionally, the pests are drawn to an alluring source the pull, from which they are then eliminated

Advancing RNAi for Sustainable Insect Management: Targeted Solutions for Eco-friendly Pest Control

Insect pests pose significant challenges to agriculture, forestry, and public health, causing substantial economic losses and threats to food security. Traditional pest control methods, such as chemical insecticides, have limitations due to the development of insecticide resistance, negative impacts on non-target organisms, and environmental concerns. RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising approach for developing targeted and environmentally safe insect control strategies. This review explores the potential of RNAi-based methods for pest management, discussing the mechanism of RNAi in insects, factors influencing its efficiency, and various delivery strategies. We highlight the advantages of RNAi, such as species-specific targeting and reduced off-target effects, while also addressing challenges and limitations, including variability in RNAi efficiency among insect species and potential resistance development. The review examines the environmental safety and risk assessment of RNAi-based insect control, current applications, and future prospects. We also discuss the socio-economic impact and public perception of RNAi technology, as well as research gaps and future directions. The integration of RNAi-based insect control into integrated pest management programs is crucial for developing sustainable and effective pest control solutions. By providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and future potential of RNAi-based insect control, this review aims to inform research, policy, and practice in this rapidly evolving field.

Do typologies of pesticide risk knowledge influence the adoption of IPM strategies? Evidence from rice farmers' behavior in northern Iran.

The active participation of farmers in adopting eco-friendly practices is vital to mitigate the environmental and health risks linked to pesticide usage. Farmers' awareness of these risks significantly influences their adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) methods over traditional pesticide applications. This study sought to explore the range of understanding on pesticide effects, categorize IPM strategies employed in pest management, and examine the correlation between knowledge levels and IPM strategy choices. Data was gathered through structured questionnaires from 391 rice farmers in Sari County, Mazandaran province, Northern Iran. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three distinct dimensions of pesticide risk knowledge: personal risk of pesticide, environmental risk of pesticide, and community risk of pesticide. Furthermore, the study identified three primary categories of IPM strategies: high familiarity, intermediate familiarity, and low familiarity. The results of the regression analysis indicated that the personal risk of pesticides (β = 0.556; P < 0.01) and the environmental risk of pesticides (β = 0.262; P < 0.01) are significantly correlated with the adoption of high familiarity IPM strategies. Furthermore, the study revealed that there was no significant statistical evidence to support the notion that different types of pesticide risk knowledge had any influence on the adoption of intermediate and low familiarity strategies. The findings of this study imply the critical importance for agricultural extension programs to focus on enhancing farmers' knowledge of pesticide risks and various IPM strategies. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Controlling Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Pest through the Use of Ginger, Garlic, and Chili Powder on Growing Mustasa Plant (June 2023)

Growing in popularity as a sustainable and eco-friendly method of food production is organic agriculture. Organic pesticides have come to light as alternatives to traditional chemical-based pesticides as a result of this trend. Moreover, organic pesticides offer a sustainable method of crop protection that is consistent with organic farming's guiding principles. Because of this, there is rising interest in researching alternative pest management strategies, such as using organic insecticides made from natural ingredients. Allium sativum (garlic), ginger (Gingiber officinale), and chile (capsicum spp.) are well known for their therapeutic and anti- fungal uses. Its potential as an efficient and environmentally friendly pest management method has recently come to light in research. This study was carried out with the intention of repelling and preventing infestations using organic materials in terms of leaves produce, crops yield, and plant survival. The researchers concluded that the level of effectiveness of the preferred concentration was 95% of ginger extract, 5% of garlic extract, and 5% of chili powder is effective with the weighted mean of 6 leaves produce and 30 bunches of crops yield and plant survival

Maximizing Marketing Efficiency: A Deep Dive Analysis into Castor crop in Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, India

Castor is a vital industrial oilseed crop with a range of uses that have increased its global economic importance. The research study was conducted using primary data collected through personal interview using well-structured and pre-tested interview schedules with 125 castor farmers and 50 intermediaries were selected purposively random sampling method. The study revealed that marketing of castor, small farmers often sell to local traders due to transportation costs, while larger farmers transport directly to market for higher prices. Main markets for castor are Namakkal, Tiruchengode and Paramathi. The most efficient marketing channel for castor was found to be Producer, Village Trader and Processor i.e. Channel I followed by Producer, Wholesaler and Processor i.e. Channel II and subsequently, Producer and Processor i.e. Channel III. Major constraints identified include pests, labour shortages, monsoons failure, high input &amp; labour costs and lack of market information. Fruitful suggestions to improve the marketing efficiency of agricultural commodities like castor, it is important to consider the benefits of value addition reaching farmers and customers. Dealing with insect pests is crucial, so farmers need access to resistant cultivars and pest management methods. Weather-based crop insurance can protect against production risks. The castor industry is hindered by a lack of infrastructure, so improvements in processing, value addition, grading, packaging, storage, and market infrastructure are necessary. Encouraging farmers to add value to castor could be a profitable strategy.

Efficient Model on Corp Disease and Pest Detection with Deep Learning

Agricultural production faces significant challenges due to pests and diseases, causing substantial losses in crop yield globally. Traditional methods of pest and disease management are often manual, time-consuming, and prone to errors. In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, particularly deep learning algorithms, with modern information and communication technology has shown promising results in addressing these challenges. This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent advancements in applying deep learning for detecting and classifying agricultural pests, diseases, and weeds. Various deep learning models, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs) such as Faster R-CNN, InceptionV3, DenseNet, and AlexNet, have been explored for their efficacy in identifying pests, diseases, and weeds in crops. While models like Faster R-CNN, InceptionV3, and DenseNet have demonstrated high accuracy rates ranging from 78.71% to 99.62% in classification tasks across different datasets and crops, the AlexNet architecture has also shown promising results in certain applications within agricultural image analysis. Additionally, the development of lightweight CNN architectures and the fusion of deep features with traditional handcrafted features have further enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of detection systems. Furthermore, the review discusses challenges and future research directions in the field, emphasizing the importance of large-scale datasets, model optimization, and real-time applications for practical implementation in agriculture. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of deep learning technologies, including models like AlexNet, in revolutionizing pest and disease management practices, leading to improved crop yield, food security, and sustainable agriculture. Keywords: Agricultural pests, plant diseases, deep learning, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), AlexNet, classification

Entomopathogens and their role in insect pest management

Agricultural production faces significant challenges due to the loss of crop yields, highlighting the need for improvements in pest management methods to enhance productivity. Crop growers are increasingly pressured to minimize the use of chemical pesticides without compromising yields. However, managing pests has become more challenging due to pesticide resistance and limited product availability. Consequently, there is an urgent requirement for alternative approaches. Entomopathogens such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes emerge as promising alternatives to broad-spectrum chemical insecticides. They have been widely employed to control insect pests in cultivated crops, employing successful strategies such as augmentation and classical biological control. These methods involve applying or introducing bacteria, baculoviruses, fungi, and nematodes. Utilizing entomopathogens offers numerous benefits beyond their effectiveness. These advantages encompass the capacity to treat expansive areas with a sole application, ensuring safety for both humans and non-target organisms. Additionally, their use leads to decreased pesticide residues in food, the conservation of natural enemies, and a boost in biodiversity within managed ecosystems. Entomopathogens present a viable solution by offering effective pest control while addressing environmental, human health, and ecosystem sustainability concerns. The primary emphasis of this review is on the present condition of bio-formulations, the pathogenicity associated with entomopathogens, their mode of action, and the possible implementation of diverse microbial formulations aimed at achieving sustainable pest management.

Neem's promise: The way to a sustainable future and eco-friendly biopesticides

Modern agriculture must include pest management since pests can seriously harm crops and lower yields, resulting in considerable financial losses. Conventional chemical insecticides have been used as the main method of pest management, but their detrimental effects on the environment and human health have inspired the quest for new environmentally friendly options. In this situation, Azadirachta indica showed promise as a sustainable and eco-friendly biopesticide. This research shows many aspects for Azadirachta indica as an environment friendly biopesticide. Neem is well known for having antiviral, antiseptic, and antifungal characteristics, which make it a crucial component in remedies for many illnesses, skin disorders, and mouth care. It is also beneficial to the environment. When added to the soil, its seeds and leaves help increase the fertility of the soil and structure. Additionally, the tree's large root system helps stop soil erosion. Azadirachta indica, is a great asset in the field of pest control and agricultural sustainability due to its repellent and antifeedant qualities. These characteristics are a result of neem's bioactive substances, known as Azadirachtin which has been the subject of in-depth study and use because of its function as a natural repellent and antifeedant Azadirachtin is a potent natural insect growth regulator because it interferes with beetle feeding, molting, and reproduction. Furthermore, the eco-friendliness of azadirachtin and its safety for people and non-target animals highlight its essential function in sustainable pest management techniques, aiding in the advancement of environmentally friendly and healthier agricultural systems. The neem plant is a unique botanical gem that has enormous medicinal, farming, and cultural significance. Its adaptability and environmental friendliness make it an important resource for sustainable agriculture and human well-being. Three commercialized neem-based formulations were tested aphid, Myzus persicae, including Azatrol, Triple Action Neem Oil (70% neem oil), and Pure Neem Oil (100% neem oil) in greenhouse and laboratory settings. A bioassay using a leaf disc choice test indicated that of the established neem-based insecticides tested were effective against the aphid at the recommended concentrations. However, a doubling in the quantity of Azatrol and Triple Action Neem Oil resulted in a 50% decrease in the number of aphids landing on handled leaf tissue compared to untreated leaf tissue.

Innovations and Future Trends in Storage Pest Management

Current innovations and future trends in storage pest management, with a specific focus on the Indian context. The critical role of effective pest management in agriculture and food security is underscored, considering its impact on economic stability and public health. It begins by detailing the challenges faced in storage pest management, including the variety of pests like insects and rodents, and the damage they inflict on stored agricultural products. It critiques the limitations of traditional pest management methods, particularly chemical control, and highlights emerging issues such as climate change effects and pesticide resistance. The core examines the latest innovations in storage pest management. Advanced chemical approaches like novel pesticides and controlled release formulations are discussed, alongside the rise of nanotechnology applications in pest control, including nano-pesticides and smart delivery systems. The emergence of biological control innovations, particularly new biocontrol agents, and genetic control strategies like the sterile insect technique, marks a significant shift towards more sustainable pest management methods. Additionally, It explores developments in physical and mechanical control methods, emphasizing improved storage facilities and environmental control techniques. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches are identified as a key future trend, promoting holistic and sustainable strategies, with case studies underscoring their success and practical application. It also addresses the vital role of policy and regulatory developments, considering the impact of global regulations and the importance of international cooperation and standards in shaping pest management practices in India. Ethical and environmental considerations form a crucial part of the discourse, focusing on the ecological impact of pest management and the balance between control measures and conservation efforts. It concludes with an examination of practical applications and case studies, providing insights into real-world challenges and the strategies employed to overcome them. Overall, It offers a thorough analysis of the state-of-the-art in storage pest management, highlighting the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and practicality. It aims to provide valuable guidance for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the field, contributing to the advancement of more effective, environmentally responsible, and sustainable pest management strategies in India.

Nut bush pesticide limits: urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to address current and emerging insect pests and insecticide options in the Australian macadamia industry.

In Australia, macadamia orchards are attacked by four main insect pest groups. Management and control of three of these key pests currently relies on broad-spectrum insecticides whose long-term future is questionable. Of the 23 insecticides registered for use in macadamia in Australia, 19 face issues affecting their availability and 12 are presently not approved in the EU, the USA or Canada. These international markets may refuse produce that does not adhere to their own insecticide use standards, hence Australian produce may be excluded from market access. Many of the potential replacement integrated pest management methods of pest control are generally considered less effective by the industry and have not been adopted. There are 17 insect pest groups identified by the industry, any of which have potential to become major problems if broad-spectrum insecticide options become unavailable. Thirteen pest groups need urgent attention as they are at risk of losing current effective control methods, and no replacement solutions have yet been developed. The lag period for research and development to identify new chemical and biological control solutions means there is now an urgent need for the macadamia industry to craft a strategy for sustainable pest management for each pest. Critically, this industry strategy needs to address the vulnerabilities identified in this paper, identify potential solutions for any cases of market failure and consider funding mechanisms to address these gaps. On economic and sustainability grounds, potential biological control options should be explored, especially in cases where insecticide control options are vulnerable. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Development and Metabolomic Profiles of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) Larvae Exposed to Phytosanitary Irradiation Dose in Hypoxic Environment Using DI-SPME-GC/MS.

X-ray irradiation and modified atmospheres (MAs) provide eco-friendly, chemical-free methods for pest management. Although a low-oxygen atmospheric treatment improves the performance of some irradiated insects, its influence on the irradiation of quarantine insects and its impacts on pest control efficacy have yet to be investigated. Based on bioassay results, this study employed direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine metabolic profiles of late third-instar B. dorsalis larvae under normoxia (CON, Air), hypoxia (95% N2 + 5% O2, HY), super-hypoxia (99.5% N2 + 0.5% O2, Sup-HY), irradiation-alone (116 Gy, IR-alone), hypoxia + irradiation (HY + IR) and super-hypoxia + irradiation (Sup-HY + IR). Our findings reveal that, compared to the IR-alone group, the IR treatment under HY and Sup-HY (HY + IR and Sup-HY + IR) increases the larval pupation of B. dorsalis, and weakens the delaying effect of IR on the larval developmental stage. However, these 3 groups further hinder adult emergence under the phytosanitary IR dose of 116 Gy. Moreover, all IR-treated groups, including IR-alone, HY + IR, and Sup-HY + IR, lead to insect death as a coarctate larvae or pupae. Pathway analysis identified changed metabolic pathways across treatment groups. Specifically, changes in lipid metabolism-related pathways were observed: 3 in HY vs. CON, 2 in Sup-HY vs. CON, and 5 each in IR-alone vs. CON, HY + IR vs. CON, and Sup-HY + IR vs. CON. The treatments of IR-alone, HY + IR, and Sup-HY + IR induce comparable modifications in metabolic pathways. However, in the HY + IR, and Sup-HY + IR groups, the third-instar larvae of B. dorsalis demonstrate significantly fewer changes. Our research suggests that a low-oxygen environment (HY and Sup-HY) might enhance the radiation tolerance in B. dorsalis larvae by stabilizing lipid metabolism pathways at biologically feasible levels. Additionally, our findings indicate that the current phytosanitary IR dose contributes to the effective management of B. dorsalis, without being influenced by radioprotective effects. These results hold significant importance for understanding the biological effects of radiation on B. dorsalis and for developing IR-specific regulatory guidelines under MA environments.

Mechanism of Plant Resistance to Insects, Weeds and Pathogens

Plants are primary producers and a food source for many heterotrophic phytophagous organisms. They are affected by different biotic and abiotic environmental stress. Insects, fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and other pests are biotic factors that significantly reduce crop productivity. Naturally, plants protect themselves from pest attacks by developing different morphological, structural, and biochemical defense mechanisms. However, our understanding of these defensive mechanisms is still limited. Hence, the objective of this paper is to review the mechanism of plant resistance to insects, weeds, and pathogens to know the relevant defense or resistance mechanisms of plants against pests. Many morphological characteristics contribute to plant resistance to insect pests. These include trichomes, surface waxes and hardness of plant tissues, thickening of cell walls and cuticles, the rapid proliferation of tissues, anatomical changes in plant organs, and color and shape of plant parts. The chemical composition of the host plant affects the behavior and adaptation of the herbivore and the host plant. These chemicals can be physiological inhibitors or nutritional deficiencies. Secondary metabolites are compounds that decrease the palatability of the plant tissues in which they are produced but have no effect on a plant's regular growth and development. Plants defend themselves against pathogens by a combination of weapons termed host resistance which is a structural and biochemical defense mechanism and they also defend from weeds by producing allelochemicals. Thus, plants have developed multiple resistance mechanisms to protect against pests. These resistance mechanisms could be an important tool for pest management by reducing the dose of chemicals used in pest control, resulting in a minimal effect of the chemicals on the environment. Also, these resistance mechanisms are compatible with other control methods that act as one of the components of integrated pest management methods to reduce the damage caused by pests.

Cyclotides: The next generation in biopesticide development for eco-friendly agriculture.

Chemical pesticides remain the predominant method for pest management in numerous countries. Given the current landscape of agriculture, the development of biopesticides has become increasingly crucial. The strategy empowers farmers to efficiently manage pests and diseases, while prioritizing minimal adverse effects on the environment and human health, hence fostering sustainable management. In recent years, there has been a growing interest and optimism surrounding the utilization of peptide biopesticides for crop protection. These sustainable and environmentally friendly substances have been recognized as viable alternatives to synthetic pesticides due to their outstanding environmental compatibility and efficacy. Numerous studies have been conducted to synthesize and identify peptides that exhibit activity against significant plant pathogens. One of the peptide classes is cyclotides, which are cyclic cysteine-rich peptides renowned for their wide range of sequences and functions. In this review, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of cyclotides, focusing on their structural attributes, developmental history, significant biological functions in crop protection, techniques for identification and investigation, and the application of biotechnology to enhance cyclotide synthesis. The objective is to emphasize the considerable potential of cyclotides as the next generation of plant protection agents on the global scale.

Evaluation on Integrated Method of Fall Army Worm Pest Management in Maize Hybrid in Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu, India

Maize (Zea mays L.) on farm trials were conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Namakkal to assess the management modules against Fall Army Worm (FAW) in maize crop in terms of plant height, number of cob/ plant, cob length (cm), number of grain row/cob, 100 grain weight (g), grain yield, stalk yield and net return, first incidence of FAW days after sowing (no.), damage percentage, natural enemies occurrence (no./sq.m), number of adult moth trapped in sex pheromone trap per day per hectare during Kharif 2019 in Namakkal district. The treatment T6 followed is summer ploughing, seed treatment with Fortezaduo (Cyantraniliprole +Thiamethoxam) @ 4ml/kg, Border crop with grain sorghum as trap crop (advance sowing) and legume intercrop (cowpea) to promote natural enemies (few rows at interval), Collection and destruction of egg masses, installation of sex pheromone trap @ 10 numbers per hectare, Azadirachtin 10000 ppm @ 1 per cent spray at 10 to 15 days after sowing; spraying of Emmamectin Benzoate 5SG @ 0.4g/ litre on 24 days after sowing and Metarhizium anisophilae(1x107) @ 2 ml/ litre on 35 days after sowing and farmers practice on application of pesticides four to five times in crop period revealed that maize hybrid (NK 6240) recorded highest plant height of (105.7 and 194 cm) on 60 and 90 DAS, yield attributes viz., number of cobs per plant is 1.7; cob length is 14.4 cm; number of grain row/cob is 10.8; number of adult moth trapped in pheromone trap (1.3 number), natural enemies occurrence 3.2 number per m2, and found to be non significant in plant height and growth attributes of Maize followed by Treatment T4 and T5, whereas higher grain yield of 64.25 quintal ha-1 and Stalk yield of 94.8 tonnes ha-1, and first incidence of fall army worm larvae 17 days after sowing, lesser damage of fall army worm percentage (7.2%), were found to be significant as compared to farmers practice. The lesser plant height of 89 cm, 171.3 cm, number of cob/ plant 1.3, cob length 11.4 cm, number of grain row/ con is 8.5, and 100 grain weight is 19.1 gm and grain yield of 56.6 quintal ha-1, stalk yield of 61.5 quintal ha-1 and net return of Rs. 10550 /hand first incidence of FAW days after sowing on 11 days, and damage percentage of 11.4 % was recorded under treatment T7. Treatment T6 plot recorded higher net return of Rs.21,575/ ha, respectively by cultivating maize hybrid (NK 6240) as against the T7 with net return of Rs. 10, 550/- with higher damage of cob, respectively by cultivating Maize hybrid (NK 6240). Farmers were very satisfied with Maize hybrid (NK 6240), as crop find fewer incidences of fall army worm and higher return compared to other practices. Maize hybrid (NK 6240) followed under T6 recommended practices would be a better option for management of Fall Army Worm in kharif season in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cultural practices, insecticide application at different plant growth stages between seedling emergence and flowering on yield loss caused by FAW in maize.