Pest Control Measures Research Articles

Impact of Different Technology Interventions on Agronomical Traits of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The study conducted over three consecutive Rabi seasons (2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23) in the Lalburra block of Balaghat sought to promote advanced chickpea production techniques among farmers. A total of 15 demonstrations spanning 6.0 hectares showcased the benefits of adopting improved agricultural practices. This included the use of the high-yielding chickpea variety JG-16, soil test-based nutrient management, and targeted pest and disease control measures. Over the past three years, the demonstration plots achieved an average yield of 11.98 q ha⁻¹, while traditional farming methods produced only 8.01 q ha⁻¹. This leads to a remarkable yield enhancement of 47.48%. Additionally, the study recorded an average technology gap of 6.07 q ha-1, an extension gap of 3.86 q ha-1, and a technology index of 33.36%. The study underscores the effectiveness of advanced chickpea production techniques, increased yield while highlighting the need to bridge technology and extension gaps for enhanced productivity in the Lalburra block.

MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF LASSA FEVER TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS IN PREVALENT COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA: THE CASE STUDY OF ONDO STATE

With the current waive of global health problems and resurgence of many disease around the world. Cholera, Yellow fever,SARS-CoV-2, Monkey pox and Lassa fever resurgence in some West African countries, with Ondo State recording highest number of Lassa fever case in Nigeria. Prompting Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ondo State Primary Health (OSPH) expert and researchers begin ways to reduce transmission dynamics of Lassa Fever Disease (LFD). In this research, we developed and investigated using System of Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) mathematical model of Lassa fever disease transmission dynamics, verifying positivity of system of equation as well as feasible region of the model. However, the Disease Free Equilibrium (DFE) of the model is computed and analysed with basic reproduction number $R_0$ of the model, showing the global stability of the DFE. Furthermore, we determined using model-fitting parameters the condition to attain stability. Finally, numerical simulations shows reduction in transmission with effective pest control measure.

Rational design and synthesis of new pyrrolone candidates as prospective insecticidal agents against Culex pipiens L. Larvae.

As a result of its high reactivity, furan-2(3H)-one derivative 2 can be selected as a versatile and suitable candidate for building of novel nitrogen heterocyclic compounds. Consequently, furan-2(3H)-one derivative 2 and some nitrogen nucleophiles were utilized as starting materials for the formation of new pyridazinone and pyrrolone derivatives bearing naphthalene moiety. The continuous buildup of insecticide resistance is the main obstacle facing pest control measures. Pyrrole-based insecticides are a favourable choice due to their unique mode of action and no cross-resistance with traditional neurotoxic insecticides. The larvicidal activities of pyrrolone derivatives were assessed against field and laboratory strains of Culex pipiens larvae in comparison with chlorfenapyr (pyrrole insecticide). Compounds 17 (21.05µg/mL) > 9 (22.81µg/mL) > 15 (24.39µg/mL) > 10 (26.76µg/mL) > 16 (32.09µg/mL) were most effective against lab strain of C. pipiens larvae relative to chlorfenapyr (25.43µg/mL). While in field strain, 17 and 15 were the most toxic compounds followed by 9 > 10 > 16 > 2 with LC50 of 9.87, 10.76, 11.52, 12.68, 15.32 and 18.37µg/mL, respectively, compared with chlorfenapyr with 14.03µg/mL. The cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase activities were significantly increased in treated larvae of lab and field strains relative to untreated. The great variations in toxicity of the synthesized compounds were interpreted by structure-activity relationship study. The pyrrolone derivatives are effective against field and insecticide-resistant strains. Therefore, they are considered promising compounds to be integrated into pest management programs.

Insect pests of dried yam (Dioscorea sp.) chips and the perception of processors and marketers on their control

This survey was aimed at understanding the perception of Dried yam chips (DYC) Processors and Marketers on insect pests' infestation of DYC and their damage through the use of structured questionnaires. Data on socio-economic characteristics and technical information were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, percentages, and means. Data on the perception of insect pests and measures of pest control were placed on a 3-point Likert Rating Scale (LRS). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done on the population density of the identified insects and significant mean values were compared using Fisher's Least Significant Difference. Seven insect pests; Prostephanus truncatus, Rhyzopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum, Stegobium paniceum, Heterobostrychus aequalis, Sitophilus zeamais, Areacerus fasciculatus, and one natural enemy; Peregrinator biannulipes were associated with DYC. However, P. truncatus, R. dominica, and A. fasciculatus were the most prevalent insect pests, causing significant damage to DYC. Approximately, 49% of processors reportedly control insect infestation in DYC using conventional insecticides, 23% by re-drying, 14% by botanicals, and the others by removing affected DYC. These findings provide useful information for extension workers involved in community education, and intervention programs by government or non-governmental organizations including public health experts and researchers.

Molecular Markers for Analyses of Genetic Diversity within the Anastrepha fraterculus Complex with Emphasis on Argentine Populations.

The South American fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedmann) has a vast range extending from northern Mexico, through Central America, to South America where it is an extremely polyphagous pest of wild and cultivated fruits. It is a complex of cryptic species currently composed of eight recognised morphotypes: "Mexican", "Venezuelan", "Andean", "Peruvian", "Ecuadorian", and the three Brazilian morphotypes "Brazilian-1", "Brazilian-2", and "Brazilian-3". Molecular markers that can identify the member species of the complex are crucial for the implementation of effective pest control measures, such as the sterile insect technique. The object of this study was to evaluate the use of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequence for discriminating several members of the A. fraterculus cryptic species complex (Mexican, Peruvian, and Brazilian-1) and a related species, Anastrepha schultzi Blanchard. The analysis highlighted significant genetic differentiation between the evaluated morphotypes, allowed their discrimination within the A. fraterculus cryptic species complex, and provided new insights into their genetic relationships. The ITS2 marker provides a basis for the development of taxonomic keys for the discrimination of the cryptic taxa within the A. fraterculus cryptic species complex. ITS2 also represents an important marker for the poorly studied species A. schultzi.

Performance Analysis of YOLO and Detectron2 Models for Detecting Corn and Soybean Pests Employing Customized Dataset

One of the most challenging aspects of agricultural pest control is accurate detection of insects in crops. Inadequate control measures for insect pests can seriously impact the production of corn and soybean plantations. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have been extensively used for detecting insect pests in the field. In this line of research, this paper introduces a method to detect four key insect species that are predominant in Brazilian agriculture. Our model relies on computer vision techniques, including You Only Look Once (YOLO) and Detectron2, and adapts them to lightweight formats—TensorFlow Lite (TFLite) and Open Neural Network Exchange (ONNX)—for resource-constrained devices. Our method leverages two datasets: a comprehensive one and a smaller sample for comparison purposes. With this setup, the authors aimed at using these two datasets to evaluate the performance of the computer vision models and subsequently convert the best-performing models into TFLite and ONNX formats, facilitating their deployment on edge devices. The results are promising. Even in the worst-case scenario, where the ONNX model with the reduced dataset was compared to the YOLOv9-gelan model with the full dataset, the precision reached 87.3%, and the accuracy achieved was 95.0%.

Significance Of Information Sources To Integrated Pest Management Usage Among Poultry Farmers In Kwara State, Nigeria

Sources of information on the use of combined pest control measures for a sustainable ecofriendly environment are germane in poultry production. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 120 respondents using an interview schedule. Data collected on socioeconomic characteristics, sources of information, pest prevalence, constraints, and utilisation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Kwara State were analysed with percentages, frequency, weighted mean score, mean, Chi-square, and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation at α 0.05. The result shows that respondents were members of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) (96.7%) with mean age and years of business experience were 43.0±9.9 and 7.3±5.8years respectively. Most of the respondents had tertiary education (84.2%) and produced broilers (51.7%) in four cycles a year (57.5%). The most utilized IPM information sources were from co-farmers (68.3%) and workshops (67.5%); with the most prevalent pest being flies (x̅=1.48) and was low for 54.2% of the respondents. The respondents’ most utilised IPM method was the prompt elimination of dead birds from the flock (x̅=2.86) which was high for 60%. However, respondents’ most prominent constraint to IPM usage was the government’s insufficient pesticide subsidy (x̅=2.69); and was high for 60.0%. A significant relationship existed between respondents’ IPM usage and sources of information like family (X2=0.938; p=0.005) and internet (X2=1.000; p=0.000); years of education attainment (r=0.022; p=0.021), prevalent pest (r=0.577; p=0.051) and constraints to IPM usage (r=0.186; p=0.012). IPM information sources positively influence its utilisation, hence such sources should be empowered by the relevant stakeholders for a sustainable eco-friendly environment.

Predicting possible distribution of rice leaf roller (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) under climate change scenarios using MaxEnt model in China

The relationship between climate conditions and pest life is a key determinant of their distribution. Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee, a major rice pest, exhibits outbreaks and its distribution patterns closely linked to meteorological factors. By using 244 actual distribution and occurrence data of C. medinalis along with 8 bioclimatic data, and employing the MaxEnt model and ArcGIS, combined with the latest SSPs climate scenario data, this study evaluated the risk region distribution status in the current period and predicted changes in China from 2040 to 2100. The results indicate that an overall increase in the risk area for C. medinalis, particularly under SSP245 scenario during 2040–2060. While Low-risk areas are expected to decrease, Medium and High-risk areas are projected to increase significantly, with worsening pest infestations anticipated in southern Hubei, eastern Hunan, most of Jiangxi, central Fujian, northern Guangdong, and southern Jiangsu. Regions such as central Liaoning are expected to reach the minimum survival standard for C. medinalis in future, leading to the northward shift in risk areas. Difference plots highlighted areas of increased and decreased suitability, providing actionable insights for policymakers. Regions with increased suitability align with the predicted northward shift of many agricultural pests, necessitating enhanced monitoring, specific pest control measures, and updated agricultural policies to address changing risk profiles. Additionally, the centroid analysis showed a northwest shift direction in future, primarily located at the junction of Shaoyang City and Loudi City, situated around 27–28 °N degrees north latitude and 111–113 °E. The study underscores the significant impact of climate change on the distribution of rice leaf roller, providing valuable insights for agricultural planning and management. The northward and westward expansion of risk areas necessitates adaptive strategies to mitigate potential impacts on agriculture. Enhanced monitoring, integrated pest management, and the development of pest-resistant crops are essential for addressing future challenges posed by climate change.

Optimizing Insecticide Application: Evaluating Frequency and Timing for Effective Management of Pink Bollworm Infestation

The pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), a significant pest affecting cotton crops, necessitates an optimized approach to insecticide application. This study investigates the critical factors of frequency and timing in insecticide application to enhance the efficacy of pest control measures. An experiment conducted at the Main Agricultural Research Station (MARS), University of Agricultural Sciences Raichur, focused on managing pink bollworm in Bt cotton using newer insecticides registered for cotton. Various spray frequencies and intervals were tested as part of an ETL (Economic Threshold Level) and prophylactic spray regimen. The results indicated that the treatment T1, which involved four sprays of profenofos 50 EC, chlorantraniliprole 18.50 SC, emamectin benzoate 5 SG, and bifenthrin 10 EC at 65, 80, 95, and 110 days after sowing (DAS), respectively, showed the lowest incidence of pink bollworm larvae, green boll damage, bad boll opening, locule damage, and the highest rate of good boll opening. This performance was comparable to treatment T5, which followed the same spraying schedule but with spinetoram 11.70 SC and fenpropathrin 10.00 EC instead of emamectin benzoate and bifenthrin, and treatment T9, which employed an ETL-based spray schedule using chlorantraniliprole 9.3 + lambda-cyhalothrin 4.6 ZC. Similarly, the highest yield of seed cotton was obtained from treatment T1 (18.10 q/ha), which was statistically equivalent to treatments T5 (18.12 q/ha) and T9 (18.10 q/ha). Additionally, the cost-benefit analysis revealed the highest benefit-cost ratio in treatment T1 (1.55), followed by treatments T9 (1.46) and T5 (1.44).

Insect community structure in young and productive coffee farms under leucaena shade of Jember Regency, East Java, Indonesia

The developmental phase of Robusta coffee plantations with agroforestry systems exhibits varying ecosystem characteristics (biotic and abiotic), therebyinfluencing the dynamics of insect community composition within them. One of the major coffee-producing centers in East Java is Jember Regency, where coffeecultivation commonly employs agroforestry systems with various shade trees. Understanding the abundance of insect species in agroforestry coffee plantations is important for determining insect pest control measures. This research aims to study the insect community structure in young coffee and productive coffee farms. Insect sampling was conducted in young coffee farms and productive coffee farms at the Kaliwining Experimental Station, Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI), by using road sampling methods with insect nets and pitfall traps. Both types of plantations utilize Leucaena sp. var L2 as shade trees, forming agroforestry coffee plantation systems. Data analysis was performed by calculating the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’) to assess insectdiversity and the independent sample t-test to determine differences in insect abundance based on functional roles between the two farms. The results indicatethat the composition and abundance of insects in productive coffee farms are higher than in young coffee farms, resulting in a higher insect diversity index valuefor productive coffee farms (categorized as high), while young coffee farms fall into the moderate category. Furthermore, based on their functional roles, productive coffee farms positively influence the abundance of herbivorous, predatory, parasitoid, and detritivorous insects.

Awareness and Acceptability of Pre-Certified Halal Foods to Non-Muslim Students among Secondary Schools

Multiculturalism is increasingly shaping contemporary societies, yet food, a fundamental human necessity, often becomes a point of cultural and belief-based contention. The halal food industry has grown significantly, garnering support both locally and internationally. However, this burgeoning sector faces challenges related to establishing standardized regulations that acknowledge its role in nation-building and promote cultural diversity. This study aimed to assess the awareness and acceptance of pre-certified halal food among non-Muslim students across secondary schools in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. Employing a descriptive survey research design, the study utilized a researcher-developed questionnaire administered to 350 students selected through simple random sampling from seven identified schools in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. Findings indicated that despite Lambayong's diverse population, most respondents demonstrated awareness and positive perceptions of pre-certified halal food. However, some community elders and church leaders expressed reservations about allowing younger generations to consume such food. The study also observed that while many vendors and proprietors were Muslim, not all adhered to the practice of wearing hijab (for Muslim women), and some lacked necessary cooking equipment like gloves and hairnets. Furthermore, certain halal establishments were found to have inadequate sanitation and pest control measures. Ultimately, the study concluded that there exists a moderate relationship between respondents' awareness and their acceptance of halal food. Recommendations include schools collaborating with barangay and local government units to monitor the hygiene of nearby restaurants and canteens. Additionally, halal food establishments should prioritize enhancing their sanitation practices and hygiene protocols to ensure compliance and consumer confidence.

Peran Petani Jagung Dalam Meningkatkan Ekonomi Masyarakat Desa Margo Lestari

Corn farming holds immense potential in Margo Lestari Village. The community views it as a promising avenue for income generation and improved living standards. This study delves into the characteristics of corn farming experience, labor and capital allocation, and their impact on the community's economic well-being. Additionally, it identifies the obstacles faced by farmers in developing this lucrative crop. The qualitative data analysis reveals that farming experience, labor allocation, and capital play crucial roles in determining corn farming income. Land ownership and control also influence revenue levels. Labor is a vital factor, particularly during the harvest season. However, farmers encounter several challenges. Labor shortages during peak periods, pest and disease attacks, and limited access to eco-friendly pest control measures hinder progress. Even mild pest infestations can significantly impact corn production, leading to increased reliance on chemical pesticides. Furthermore, marketing through middlemen and lack of transportation facilities to reach traditional markets restrict profit margins. Based on these findings, the study proposes several solutions. Mobilizing and regulating labor allocation can optimize production and potentially increase revenue. Seeking environmentally friendly pest control alternatives can ensure the sustainability of corn farming. In conclusion, corn farming holds significant promise for Margo Lestari's economic development. By addressing the identified challenges and implementing the proposed solutions, the community can harness the full potential of this valuable crop and boost its collective prosperity.

Revealing the Role of CYP346 Family Genes on Phosphine Resistance in Indian Populations of Tribolium castaneum.

Phosphine resistance in Tribolium castaneum challenges grain storage. This study investigates the impact of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and CYP346 family genes on phosphine resistance in Indian Tribolium castaneum populations. Seven field populations of T. castaneum were compared with Lab- susceptible population for their resistance to phosphine. The levels of cytochrome P450 enzyme and expression of certain CYP346 family genes were tracked in these populations. The highly resistant Patiala population showed significantly increased CYP450 activity (11.26 ± 0.14 nmol/min/mg protein, 7.41-fold higher) compared to the lab-susceptible population (1.52 ± 0.09 nmol/min/mg protein) when assayed using 8 mM p-nitroanisole as the substrate. The mRNA expression was measured relative to the standard gene RPS18 and revealed significant upregulation of CYP346B1 and CYP346B3 in highly resistant populations Moga and Patiala (CYP346B1: 12.09 ± 2.19 to 21.74 ± 3.82; CYP346B3: 59.097 ± 10.265 to 50.148 ± 8.272). Patiala's CYP346B1 exhibited an impressive 685.76-fold change, and Moga's CYP346B3 showed a 361.893-fold change compared to lab-susceptible. Linear regression confirmed robust fits for each gene (R2: 0.693 to 0.756). Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated a strong positive correlation between CYP346 genes expression; and cytochrome P450 activity. Patiala, Moga, and Hapur populations showed conformity, associating higher resistance with increased P450 activity and CYP346 gene expression. Cluster analysis highlighted a potential correlation between CYP346B1, CYP346B2, and CYP346B3 and P450 activity, with Patiala and Moga clustering together. Variability in CYP346B1 and CYP346B3 in strong resistance populations may contribute to adaptation and resistance mechanisms. The study provides insights into specific CYP346 family genes associated with phosphine resistance, emphasizing the intricate interaction between CYP450 detoxifying enzymes, CYP346 family genes, and resistance mechanisms. The upregulation of CYP346 genes suggests a survival advantage for T. castaneum against phosphine, diminishing phosphine's efficacy as a pest control measure.

Climate-smart Pest Management Strategies: Under Changing Climatic Scenarios

In the face of changing climatic conditions, it's crucial to acknowledge their far-reaching impacts on humans, animals, and agricultural systems worldwide, where negative consequences often overshadow any positive outcomes. With global warming and climate change, previously minor insect pests are now poised to wreak havoc, leading to widespread pest outbreaks. As a result, the effectiveness of various pest control measures, including host-plant resistance, natural enemies, transgenics, bio-pesticides, and synthetic chemicals, may undergo significant shifts. Growers and researchers are actively devising Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to minimize environmental harm while maximizing crop yields and economic benefits. Numerous studies highlight the necessity of reevaluating pest management practices and IPM strategies to adapt to novel environmental conditions and enhance the resilience of diverse agroecosystems to weather variability. This involves initiatives such as breeding climate-resilient crops, adjusting crop calendars, employing GIS-based risk mapping for crop pests, and exploring novel pesticides with alternative modes of action, informed by predictive modeling data. Thus, this chapter explores the potential of these techniques for climate-smart insect pest management.

Preliminary Assessment of Alfalfa Crop Trap Strategy in Regulating Natural Predators for Aphis gossypii Glover Control

Aphis gossypii Glover is an important pest in cotton plantations. Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa) is a host plant for the aphid Aphis craccivora Koch and may prove to be an important reservoir of natural enemies to combat this pest. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of different mowing frequencies of alfalfa traps on A. gossypii and their natural enemies, using both ground survey data and UAV remote sensing data. The alfalfa was mowed twice to facilitate the transfer of this primary natural enemy to the cotton fields. Ground surveys were carried out every five days to gather data, while temporal niche and niche overlap methods were used for further analysis. Findings collected over a period ranging from day 31 to day 91 indicated that compared to their counterparts with no alfalfa traps, the cotton fields containing these pest control measures demonstrated a reduction in the A. gossypii population of approximately 16%. A survey conducted 5 days after mowing the alfalfa on days 61 and 71 found that the cotton fields with alfalfa traps experienced a 24.14% and 26.09% reduction in A. gossypii numbers. In contrast, the cotton fields without alfalfa traps experienced a 76.92% and 55.08% increase in cotton aphid numbers during the same period. It is noteworthy that the cotton fields with alfalfa traps showed a delayed onset of cotton aphid damage of approximately 5 days compared to the fields without alfalfa traps. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the ecological control mechanism of A. gossypii within alfalfa traps. Planting alfalfa traps around fields in Xinjiang could be promoted as a method to prevent and control aphid damage.

Exploiting fly ash as an ecofriendly pesticide/nematicide on Abesmoschus esculuntus: Insights into soil amendment-induced antioxidant fight against nematode mediated ROS

Conventional pest control measures, such as chemical pesticides and nematicides, have limited efficacy and raise environmental concerns, necessitating sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives for pest management. Therefore, to find a complementary eco-friendly pesticide/nematicide, this study investigated the role of fly ash (FA) in managing a notorious pest, Meloidogyne javanica and its impact on the growth and physiology of Abelmoschus esculentus. Molecular characterization using SSU and LSU rDNA gene markers confirmed the identity of Indian M. javanica as belonging to the same species. Biotic stress induced by nematode infection was significantly alleviated (P < 0.05) by FA application at a 20% w/v, regulating of ROS accumulation (44.1% reduction in superoxide anions and 39.7% reduction in hydrogen peroxide content) in the host plant. Moreover, FA enhanced antioxidant defence enzymes like superoxide dismutase (46.6%) and catalase (112%) to combat nematode induced ROS. Furthermore, the application of FA at a 20% concentration significantly improved the biomass and biochemical attributes of okra. Fly ash also upregulated the activity of the important osmo-protectant proline (11.5 μmol/g FW) to mitigate nematode stress in host cells. Suppression of disease indices like gall index and reproduction factor, combined with in-vitro experiments, revealed that FA exhibits strong nematode mortality capacity and thus can be used as a sustainable and eco-friendly control agent against root-knot nematodes.

Impact of regenerative farming practices on soil quality and yield of cotton-sorghum system in semi arid Indian conditions.

Regenerative agricultural practices, i.e. organic and natural farming, are rooted in India since ancient times. However, the high cost of production, lack of organic pest control measures and premium price of organic produces in chemical agriculture encourage natural farming. In the present study, the quality improvement of calcareous soils under organic (OGF) and natural (NTF) management was compared with integrated conventional (ICF) and non-invasive (NIF) farming practices with cotton-sorghum crops over three consecutive years. A total of 23 soil attributes were analyzed at the end of the third cropping cycle and subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) to select a minimum data set (MDS) and obtain a soil quality index (SQI). The attributes soil organic carbon (SOC), available Fe, pH, bulk density (BD) and alkaline phosphatase (APA) were selected as indicators based on correlations and expert opinions on the lime content of the experimental soil. The SQI was improved in the order of OGF (0.89) > NTF(0.69) > ICF(0.48) > NIF(0.05). The contribution of the indicators to SQI was in the order of available Fe (17-44%) > SOC (21-28%), APA (11-36%) > pH (0-22%), and BD (0-20%) regardless of the farming practices. These indicators contribute equally to soil quality under natural (17-22%) and organic (18-22%) farming. The benefit:cost ratio was calculated to show the advantage of natural farming and was in the order of NTF(1.95-2.29), ICF (1.34-1.47), OGF (1.13-1.20) and NIF (0.84-1.47). In overall, the natural farming significantly sustained the soil quality and cost benefit compared to integrated conventional farming practices.

Penicillium-Infected Apples Benefit Larval Development of Conogethes punctiferalis via Alterations of Their Gut Bacteria Community and Gene Expression.

Pathogenic microorganisms can impact the behavior and physiology of herbivores by direct or indirect means. This study demonstrated that yellow peach moth Conogethes punctiferalis larvae feeding on Penicillium-infected apples exhibited significantly longer body length and weight parameters compared to the control group. The sequencing of gut 16S rRNA showed a significant increase in the diversity and abundance of bacteria in the larvae feeding on Penicillium-infected apples. Additionally, transcriptomic sequencing of the larval gut indicated significant upregulation of genes related to digestion and cuticle formation after consuming Penicillium-infected apples. Furthermore, enzyme activity assays revealed notable changes in the trypsin and lipase activity. Consequently, these alterations in gut microbiota structure, diversity, and gene expression levels may underlie the observed growth and developmental variations in C. punctiferalis larvae mediated by pathogenic microorganisms. This study holds theoretical significance for a deeper understanding of the tripartite interaction among microorganisms, insects, and plants as well as for the development of novel pest control measures based on gut microbiota.

Insect Pest Diversity on Maize Farming at UPT Tanjung Selamat, Deli Serdang Regency: A Case Study

UPT Tanjung Selamat located in North Sumatra is one of significant corn farming areas in North Sumatra which currently faces disturbance from insects. This study investigates insect pest diversity in corn fields at two growth stages, 25 and 60 days after planting (DAP), within the UPT Tanjung Selamat area of Deli Serdang Regency. Yellow sticky traps were installed in designated sites as approaches to collect and identify insect pest community in the area. Our results showed that at 25 DAP, three pest species were identified, while at 60 DAP, seven species were recorded, showcasing higher diversity at the latter stage. The insect pest with the highest population density at both growth stages of maize is Cicadulina bipunctata, with 48.12 ind/m² at 60 DAP and 36.67 ind/m² at 25 DAP. The total insect pest density peaked at 60 DAP (61.44 individuals/m²) and reached its lowest at 30 DAP (49.38 individuals/m²). Similarly, the diversity index was highest at 60 DAP (1.283), contrasting with the lowest value at 25 DAP (0.652). The evenness index mirrored these trends, peaking at 60 DAP (0.659) and reaching its lowest at 25 DAP (0.593). The Sorensen similarity index indicated a 60% similarity between the two periods, reflecting relatively similar insect pest compositions. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of insect pest populations in maize fields at different growth stages, emphasizing the need for age-specific management strategies. This study contributes valuable insights for optimizing pest control measures and promoting sustainable corn production practices.

Vegetables Production and Management Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities by Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia

The production of vegetables is very important to Ethiopia's economy and various types of vegetables can grow in Ethiopia. However, despite the existing potentials, smallholder vegetable farms are based on low input–low output production system in the country. The production is run by smallholder farmers and is located on a relatively small part of land. In the same way, there is inadequate knowledge on improved vegetables production practices, challenges and opportunities by smallholder farmers in the country and public research on vegetable crops was negligible. To this end, this review was aimed to assess practices of vegetable production and management, challenges of vegetable production and management and opportunity of vegetable production by small holder farming household. The review found that, vegetable production practices and management are not the primary activity for the majority of smallholder farming households in the country; rather, they are seen as a supplement to the production of major crops. It was mainly based on traditional farming system. Further the review found out that, lack of access to credit, limited supply of improved seed, marketing and market information, appropriate management techniques, appropriate disease and insect pest control measures, outbreak of new disease and pest are among the main challenges of vegetable production in the country. This is mainly because of the limited resource allocation to research and development including the extension services. Finally, the review recommends that, in promoting vegetable producer households, diversified and intensified agricultural farming, and problems related to extension service and research, credit service, disease and pest control, market and marketing information, and provision of modern agricultural inputs should be addressed by concerned bodies.