Pest Control Techniques Research Articles

The attack of Etiela zinckenella Treitschke on soybean varieties

The attack of Etiella zinckenella Treitschke on soybean varieties. Soybean is an important food and source of vegetable protein. One of the problems in soybean cultivation in Indonesia is the presence of pests. Integrated pest control (IPM) techniques are increasing along with the awareness of the importance of environmentally friendly sustainable agriculture. One component of IPM is the use of pest-resistant varieties. This study aimed to examine the effect of the soybean varieties against E. zinckenella Treitschke. This research was conducted with a factorial Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD). The first factor was the type of organic fertilizer with a dose of 10 tons/ha: (P0= control, P1= Bokashi, P2= Vermikompos, P3=cow manure). The second factor is soybean varieties, which were: V1= Dena 2, V2= Dering 1, V3= Deja 2, V4= Deja 1, V5= Devon 1, V6= Devon 2, V7= Derap 1, V8= Derap 2, V9= Devatra 1, V10 = Devatra 2, V11= Detam 1, V12= Detam 2. The results showed that the interaction between varieties and organic fertilizer significantly affected the percentage of pod borer attack. The interaction between P1 x V8 varieties and between P2 x V6 varieties resulted in the highest percentage of pod borer attack and it was significantly different from other interactions, but not significantly different from P3 x V9, P3 x V5, P2 x V11, P1 x V6, P0 x V11, and P0 x V6.

Plant Diversity Increased Arthropod Diversity and Crop Yield in Traditional Agroforestry Systems but Has No Effect on Herbivory

Improving agricultural production in response to the increasing food demand remains a major challenge in agroecology. The world has made significant efforts to meet this issue by developing several cultivation techniques, such as the use of chemical fertilizers and arable land conversion into agricultural land. However, most of these techniques have caused a significant loss of biodiversity and ecosystems services. Recent data suggest that biological conservation within and around agroforestry systems are potential solutions that can both reduce biodiversity loss and guarantee crop production. This logic is based on the hypothesis that increasing plant diversity in and around agricultural systems can limit the pest attack rate and increase crop yield. We tested this hypothesis using structural equation modeling on empirical data collected in agroforestry systems around the Pendjari biosphere reserve in West Africa. We measured crop diversity, crop yield, arthropod pest diversity, abundance, the rate of crop herbivory, and the diversity of plants in surrounding natural vegetation in 32 permanent plots. We estimated arthropod diversity and abundance using pitfall traps. We found a direct positive effect for plant diversity and a direct negative effect of arthropod herbivory on crop yield. The diversity of plants in surrounding natural vegetation had a direct positive effect on arthropod pest diversity but a marginal negative direct effect on the rate of crop herbivory. We found no significant direct or indirect effect for crop diversity. Our findings underline the important role of biodiversity conservation in agricultural production improvement. We suggest that the conservation of plant diversity around agroforestry systems may be an effective option to control herbivory damage. Its combination with other pest control techniques may further limit crop depredation and ensure the long-term conservation of wildlife.

Nylon nets: a simple pest exclusion barrier technique to manage rhinoceros beetle menace in coconut plantations

Oryctes rhinoceros (L.) is a major pest of palms worldwide. Seedlings and juvenile palms are more vulnerable to beetle damage and in severe cases, inflicting palm death. The present study was to develop a physical pest control technique for juvenile palms using nylon nets as a pest exclusion barrier. The unopened spear leaf with –two to four adjacent leaf bases were loosely wrapped with the nylon nets of different mesh size during June - December 2017 (N = 40). Results revealed that the damaged leaves were reduced from 61.02 to 7.53% (t = 17.23; p < 0.001). Further experiment was up scaled in 120 palms during June – December 2018 and the beetles trapped in nylon nets were recorded at weekly intervals. Nylon nets entrapped 618 adult beetles that comprised 61.80% females and 38.18% males with corresponding sex ratio of 1.61: 1. Thus, use of nylon nets as a pest exclusion barrier guarded the young palms from beetle attack and additionally acted as passive trap by entrapping 20.6 beetles/week/120 palms without any insecticidal intervention.

Pengaruh Ekstrak Patikan Kebo (Euphorbhia hirta Linn) Terhadap Serangan Hama Daun Sawi

Plant Pest Organisms that often attack mustard are Tritip caterpillar (Plutella xylostella L), armyworm (Spodoptera litura F), growing point caterpillar (Crocidolomia binotalis Zel), common pests that often attack mustard, namely Leaf Grasshopper (Phyllium pulchrifolium), Nezara viridula L, and Chrysodeixis chalcites. One of the environmentally friendly pest control techniques is the use of pesticides derived from plants which are commonly called biopesticides. Patikan kebo (Euphorbia hirta L) was known to contain antibacterial active compounds that can be used as organic herbicides. This study used patikan kebo extract with several concentrations to suppress the attack of mustard leaves destroying pests. The research took place in a vegetable growing area and was carried out for 40 days from sowing to harvesting. The research was conducted using an experimental method. The results of this study showed that all treatments of patikan kebo extract were able to suppress the attack of mustard leaf pests and the use of a very significant concentration was found in (7.5 ml) with the lowest attack intensity of 4.79%.

Different Plant Disease Detection and Pest Detection Techniques Using Image Processing

Abstract: In India, agriculture is a significant industry. Our Indian economy is also heavily reliant on agriculture; given that agriculture employs near about 70% of the population, it is critical to boost crop/plant productivity. Farmers have struggled to achieve higher productivity and better market prices due to many sorts of crop diseases. As a result, early detection of plant diseases becomes an essential strategy for avoiding losses in an agricultural production system. The disease's symptoms are mostly noticeable on leaves. It's difficult to keep track of each plant manually across a large area. As a result, image processing techniques are used to observe and diagnose plant diseases, which may be a better option for detecting diseases fast and accurately. This paper provides the review of different plant disease and pest control techniques using image processing in the recent years. Keywords: Image Processing, Agricultural, Disease Techniques, Pest Control.

Sensing of pheromones from Euschistus heros (F.) stink bugs by nanosensors

This revision covers the agriculture system, the losses due to insect pest, the pheromone definition and how they can be deployed. Specially, this work focus in pheromones from stink bug Euschistus heros. The use of different techniques for pest control in agriculture seeks safety and environmental preservation. The stink bug E. heros is one of the major pests that affects crops in Brazil. This insect releases pheromone to mate in low amounts. A promising and efficient alternative for the detection of this volatile compound is the use of nanosensors. This paper provides a review of the most recent works in nanosensors used for detection insect pheromones, including gas sensors with sensitive coatings in nanoscale. Also, other applications of gas nanosensors in pheromone detection in agriculture are described. Nanosensors are potential solutions for pest management and can contribute to developing innovative and technological solutions for agriculture.

Kapasitas Petani Dalam Pengendalian Organisme Pengganggu Tanaman (Opt) Budidaya Kentang (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Di Kecamatan Argapura

This study was conducted to describe the capacity of farmers, to determine the factors that affect the ability of farmers to control Plant Pest Organisms. Plant-disturbing organisms (OPT) such as pests, pathogens, and weeds cause problems in plant cultivation so that appropriate handling effort are needed. The application of pest control technology on potato plants in Argapura District has not been optimal. One of the reasons for this happening is the lack of information about the economic benefits of alternative pest control techniques other than synthetic pesticides. This study aims to describe the extent to which the capacity of farmers, analyze the factors that affect the capacity of farmers, and formulate strategies to increase the capacity of farmers in controlling plant pest organisms (OPT) in potato cultivation. The research sample was determined by purposive sampling technique, namely fifty-one potato cultivation farmers. The research variables consisted of farmer characteristics, external factors, and farmer capacity. The data analysis used in this research is descriptive statistical analysis and inferential analysis in the form of multiple linear regression. The results showed that the capacity of farmers in controlling plant pest organisms (OPT) in potato cultivation was in the medium category. The factors that affect the capacity of farmers are education, land area, and extension. Meanwhile, the factors that do not affect the capacity of farmers are age, farming experience, family dependents, infrastructure, farmer group activities, and access to information technology. The strategy is an effort to increase the capacity of farmers in controlling pests of potato cultivation in Argapura District is to increase group activities and counseling.

KARAKTERISTIK BUDIDAYA KAKAO (Theobroma cacao L.) PADA PERKEBUNAN RAKYAT DI KECAMATAN PANTI KABUPATEN PASAMAN

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is one of the plantation crop that has high economic value. Therefore it is important to carry out cacao cultivation as recommended. The objective of this study was to collect data on the cultivation characteristics on smallholder cacao plantations where located in Panti Sub-district, Pasaman District. This research was conducted from August until November 2021 in Panti Sub district, Pasaman District the present research was carried out using a survey method by purposive sampling, with the criteria that cacao crops have produced and the sample includes 10% of the smallholder cacao crops area in Panti Sub-district, pasaman District. The aspects that are included in the characteristics of cacao cultivation are in terms of land preparation, crop maintenance, the techniques for pest and disease control, as well as aspects of harvest and yield. The results showed that 80% of cacao farmers in Panti Sub-district had carried out cacao cultivation according to Puslitkoka standards, but its 20% have not carried out cacao cultivation according to the recommendations, including the aspects of land preparation, crops maintenance, and harvestthat were not appropriate the origin of planting material was unclear, unknown of the clone types, pest and disease attacks are still high and sanitation activitie. Are irregular.

Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Ecological Pest Control and Post-Harvest Rice Conservation Techniques: Sustainability Lessons from Baduy Communities

With the impending threat of global climate change, the past decades have witnessed an increasing recognition of the potential contribution of indigenous knowledge to tackling global challenges of environmental sustainability. In this study, we used a qualitative analysis of data collected in September 2018 from key informant interviews and focus group discussion sessions in the Baduy communities in western Java to examine how their swidden cultivation, pest control and rice preservation techniques contribute to strengthening the sustainability of their livelihoods. The study also examines the potential for knowledge sharing between Baduy indigenous knowledge holders and outside scientific communities for mutual enhancement. Our analysis of collected data indicates that while the Baduy are open to sharing their ecological knowledge with outsiders for the sake of a greater environment protection, they remain wary of adopting external knowledge sources, as these external influences constitute a threat of disruption to their own epistemic system and way of life.

Pengaruh pengelolaan agroekosistem terhadap kelimpahan kutu loncat jeruk Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri Kuwayama is a serious problem in citrus because it transmits huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Agricultural practices without paying attention to the agroecosystem complexity often cause the agroecosystem more suitable for insect pests proliferation and less friendly to natural enemies. The research aims to study the effectiveness of agroecosystem management compared to conventional farming in the ACP control. The effects of both treatments on the diversity and abundance of ACP’s natural enemies as well as the incidence and severity of HLB were also studied. Agroecosystem management consists of preventive and responsive actions. Preventive action was carried out through a polyculture system, planting refugia and legume cover crop, providing beetle banks, applying lime, applying organic and inorganic fertilizers, citrus pruning intensively, maintaining drainage ditches, and mechanical weed control. Responsive action is short-term control when the abundance of ACP reaches the action threshold. Responsive action was carried out through biological or chemical control. Meanwhile, conventional farming is a series of conventional farming and pest control techniques commonly applied by farmers. Each treatment was applied in three orchards of Siam Orange cv. Pontianak Citrus nobilis Lour var. microcarpa Hassk. The results showed that agroecosystem management was more effective in controlling the ACP population so that its abundance was lower and less fluctuated than conventional farming. ACP’s natural enemies in agroecosystem management were also more diverse than conventional farming. The abundance of ACP’s natural enemies and the incidence and severity of HLB in the two treatments were not significantly different.

Forest Stewardship Council and Responsible Wood certification in the integrated pest management in Australian forest plantations

Certification programs may include market access benefits for those business that have certified voluntarily, but there are also other consequences, such as the ban on the use of certain chemical pesticides imposed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) that can negatively affect integrated pest management. The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) was created in response to FSC standards and includes national certification schemes such as the Responsible Wood (RW), previously known as the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of FSC and RW/PEFC certification on practices of integrated pest management from the perspective of Australian forest growers. Questionnaires were emailed to all organizations in Australia with forest plantations certified by FSC and/or RW/PEFC. The questionnaire addressed the importance of forest pest groups, pest control techniques, chemical pesticides (insecticides and herbicides) in derogation; the advantages and disadvantages of integrated pest management related to the certification; and satisfaction with certification in relation to pest management. The two insecticides in derogation were considered unnecessary by most of Australian growers. FSC promoted more changes in integrated pest management than RW. Half the FSC-certified companies stated that they had greater costs associated with integrated pest management to adequately meet certification. RW-certified growers were more satisfied than FSC-certified ones, but both groups stated that they would maintain certification in a scenario without further insecticide derogation. The main changes in pest management for FSC-certified companies were with preventive techniques that reduce the use and dependence on insecticides. The environmental and social side of FSC prevailed in these changes. Raising certification rigor can increase costs, making certification impracticable, forcing companies to adopt less restrictive schemes or simply not certify.

Agro Expert Using Google API

Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. Mostly crops are loss due to the erroneous selection of the crop, climate change. The farmers are generally not aware of the requirements of the crops. i.e. The minerals, soil moisture &amp; other soil requirements one more problem that a farmer generally encounters is the pest &amp; diseases that can affect the crops they grow which they are generally unaware of in an early stage. This are the problems of farmer is addressed in our paper and we have tried to solve it with the help of Agro Expert using Google API system by the help of our model. We predict the suitable crop to the farmers and also detect the pest and may affect as suggest the pest control technique. In this paper we have applied collaborative filtering algorithm, aprori algorithm, linear regration prediction technique.

The occurrence of Spodoptera frugiperda attack on maize in West Pasaman District, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Maize [Zea mays] is the third most important cereal crop in Asian countries after rice and wheat. In Indonesia, maize is the second food crop after rice. One of the main problems in corn cultivation is pests. Spodoptera frugiperda [Lepidoptera: Noctuidae] is the major pest of maize and polyphagous insect pest attacking more than 80 crops. This study aims to determine the occurrence of heavy by the S. frugiperda in West Pasaman District, West Sumatra. The research method used in this study was a survey or sampling. The results showed that there was a severe attack of a new invasive pest, S. frugiperda on maize crops in West Pasaman. The attack rate of S. frugiperda in West Pasaman District was classified as high, reaching 100.00% at the age of 40 days after planting. Maize was severely damaged in the early stages phase vegetative of maize [approximately 40 days after planting], with 100% of maize infested and each plant was occupied by one until two medium or large larvae. Its means, the vegetative phase is a phase that is vulnerable to the S. frugiperda attack of maize. The high intensity of S. frugiperda attacks is also caused by several factors, like variety, spacing, types of plants around maize fields, and when farmers used pest and disease control techniques. Even a severe attack can cause the maize to fail to grow. This new invasive pest can threaten maize production in Indonesia. Therefore, further research is needed regarding this new invasive pest, S. frugiperda.

Identification of allitol and d-allulose from Itea virginica as insect growth inhibitors for the control of Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

To prevent the loss of grains in stored products due to pests, an alternative pest control technique to insecticide spraying is required. The use of natural materials for this purpose can be beneficial, and in this context, we screened 21 plants and found that an Iteaceae plant inhibited the growth of lepidopteran insect larvae. Accordingly, following purification and analysis of the plant extract from I. virginica leaves, allitol and d-allulose (psicose) were identified as growth inhibitors against larvae of the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The contents of allitol and d-allulose in I. virginica leaves were estimated to be 14.4 and 4.17 mg/g fr. wt, respectively, and their half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) values were 15.7 and 30.3 mg/g diet, respectively. Therefore, the growth inhibition activity in I. virginica leaves was mainly attributed to the presence of allitol. However, both compounds may be used in insecticidal reagents, and in particular, since the safety of d-allulose has already been confirmed, it could allow this pest management reagent to be directly mixed with stored-product foods.

CropLife International shares FAO's vision

In their Letter “Stay true to integrated pest management” (8 January 2021, p. [133][1] ), K. Wyckhuys et al. point to the essential role of checks and balances in the context of CropLife International's recently agreed partnership with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). However, we disagree with their assertion that the FAO and CropLife International have contrasting visions of integrated pest management (IPM). CropLife International fully supports the FAO definition of IPM, which is a fundamental element of the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management ([ 1 ][2]). The IPM objective is “careful consideration of all available pest control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations and keep pesticides and other interventions to levels that are economically justified and reduce or minimize risks to human and animal health and/or the environment.” [([ 1 ][2]), p. 4] Supporting FAO's Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management is a condition of membership for CropLife International, and IPM is a core stewardship activity promoted by CropLife International to farmers globally. FAO has had great success in reducing pesticide use in Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam, as cited by Wyckhuys et al. ([ 2 ][3]), but these are not the only countries where improvements have been made. A recent study conducted by Phillips McDougal shows that the average application rates per hectare of modern pesticides are down by 95% since 1960, and there has been a substantial reduction in their acute toxicity ([ 3 ][4]). This is in large part due to the industry's development of more effective crop protection products and technologies ([ 4 ][5]) in combination with farmers' efforts to support optimized pesticide use in the framework of IPM. CropLife International also forms long-term partnerships with organizations such as GIZ ([ 5 ][6]), who value our expertise in training farmers on IPM and the responsible use of pesticides. We recognize the challenges that humankind faces in making agriculture more sustainable without compromising yields. Digital and precision farming are already contributing to further optimization, and their deployment will need to be accelerated to achieve the sustainable intensification that we need to avoid further agricultural encroachment of habitats and biodiversity loss ([ 6 ][7]). Innovation, shared knowledge, and partnership will all be invaluable to improving the sustainability of the agri-food system. This is the rationale for our collaboration with FAO and indeed all of our partnerships and alliances. 1. [↵][8]FAO, World Health Organization, The International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management (2014); [www.fao.org/3/I3604E/i3604e.pdf][9]. 2. [↵][10]1. H. van den Berg, 2. J. Jiggins , World Dev. 35, 4 (2007). [OpenUrl][11] 3. [↵][12]1. Phillips McDougall , “Evolution of the crop protection industry since 1960” (2019). 4. [↵][13]1. E. Radcliffe, 2. W. Hutchinson, 3. R. Cancelado , Integrated Pest Management: Concepts, Tactics, Strategies and Case Studies (Cambridge University Press, 2009). 5. [↵][14]“Better Rice Initiative Asia—Promotion of Integrated Pest Management in Thailand” (GIZ, 2018). 6. [↵][15]1. M. Bacco, 2. P. Barsocchi, 3. E. Ferro, 4. A. Gotta, 5. R. Massimiliano , Array 3–4, 100009 (2019). [OpenUrl][16] [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/371/6525/133.1 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #ref-3 [5]: #ref-4 [6]: #ref-5 [7]: #ref-6 [8]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [9]: http://www.fao.org/3/I3604E/i3604e.pdf [10]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2 in text [11]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DWorld%2BDev.%26rft.volume%253D35%26rft.spage%253D4%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [12]: #xref-ref-3-1 View reference 3 in text [13]: #xref-ref-4-1 View reference 4 in text [14]: #xref-ref-5-1 View reference 5 in text [15]: #xref-ref-6-1 View reference 6 in text [16]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DArray%26rft.volume%253D34%26rft.spage%253D100009%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx

Paddy growers’ technical knowledge on integrated pest management practices in Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone of Assam

The importance of integrated pest management (IPM) lies with the fact that, dependency for increasing agricultural production by heavy application of pesticides and chemical fertilizers has negative impact on human health as well as on the natural resource base. IPM is a concept that integrates all cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical practices of crop production which control prevent and eradicate pest population in field and makes the pest management practice a stronger approach rather than sole application of chemical pesticides. The study revealed that majority of the respondents aged between 41-53 years (56.43%), studied upto High School (46.07%) and had membership of at least one organization (70.72%). Most of the farmers had family size of 5-7 members (62.50%), agricultural experience between 16-23 years (62.85%) and in between 4-9.6 years involved in pesticide application (60.71%). The knowledge regarding various IPM practices plays a vital role in its application. The study found that more than half (52.85%) of the paddy growers had moderate level of knowledge on IPM practices next to which 27.85 per cent of the farmers had low level of knowledge and 19.28 per cent of them had high level of knowledge regarding IPM practices. The farmers had great extent of knowledge on the practices like proper summer ploughing, trimming of bunds and destruction of crop residues before transplanting of rice to minimize the insect pest and disease intensity as reported by all the respondents and use bird perches for predatory birds against insect pests of rice was reported by 90.00 per cent of the respondents. However, majority (69.28%) of the respondents did not know about application of Trichogramma as a biocontrol agent against rice stem borer, rice leaf folder and more than three forth of the respondents (76.78%) did not know about pattern of release of Trichogramma in the field. It shows that farmers had very low knowledge in application of biological pest control techniques in the field coparing to cultural practices.

Advances in exogenous RNA delivery techniques for RNAi-mediated pest control.

Climate change imposes a great threat to world food security and encourages insect pest proliferation and spreading. Because of these challenges, identifying novel biotechnology pest management and its applications is inevitable. RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene regulatory process used for the maintenance and regulation of host defences against invading viruses. Nevertheless, it is widely used for the analysis of gene function. In recent years, the potential use of RNA interference (RNAi) as a tool for manipulating crop traits, as well as an alternative for crop protection, has undergone outstanding developments. In this review, we describe some genes involved in insect dsRNA uptake and discuss the reasons for varying RNAi response in insect pests, emphasizing the presence of nucleases and double-stranded RNA binding protein. We explore recent breakthroughs in innovative dsRNA delivery for efficient and effective knockdown in insect pests. Conclusively, topical delivery of dsRNA combined with a nanoparticle complex holds great potential for RNAi-mediated pest control.

Toxicity of entomopathogenic fungal culture filtrate of lowland and highland soil of South Sumatra (Indonesia) against Spodoptera litura larvae

Abstract. Gustianingtyas M, Herlinda S, Suwandi, Suparman, Hamidson H, Hasbi, Setiawan A, Verawaty M, Elfita, Arsi. 2020. Toxicity of entomopathogenic fungal culture filtrate of lowland and highland soil of South Sumatra against Spodoptera litura larvae. Biodiversitas 21: 1839-1849. The use of secondary fungal metabolites for the active ingredient of mycoinsecticide is more effective and more easily integrated with other pest control techniques. This study aimed to measure the toxicity of the culture filtrate of entomopathogenic fungi originating from South Sumatra against the Spodoptera litura larvae. Beauveria bassiana (25 isolates) and Metarhizium anisopliae (20 isolates) of South Sumatra were cultured in liquid media and filtered to produce culture filtrate. The larvae which were sick due to the filtrate showed the symptoms of decreased appetite and were not actively moving, while the dead larvae were characterized by being wrinkled, dry, black integument, and odorless. Mortality caused by B. bassiana filtrate was the highest 98% (BJgTs isolate) and not significantly different from the BSwTd2 isolate (94.67%). Yet, the LT50 BSwTd2 isolate was shorter (5.92 days) compared to the LT50 BJgTs isolate (6.35 days). The most toxic M. anisopliae filtrate produced the mortality of 96% (MKbTp2 isolate) and 85.33% (MPdB isolate) each of which had LT50 of 7.36 days and 8.09 days, respectively. So, the most toxic culture filtrate was BSwTd2 isolate of B. bassiana and MKbTp2 isolate of M. anisopliae. The entomopathogenic fungi producing filtrate which are toxic have the potential to be active ingredients of mycoinsecticides.

Functional Characterization of Sex Pheromone Receptors in the Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

Pheromone receptors (PRs) found in the antennae of male moths play a vital role in the recognition of sex pheromones released by females. The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a notorious invasive pest, but its PRs have not been reported. In this report, six candidate PRs (SfruOR6, 11, 13, 16, 56 and 62) suggested by phylogenetic analysis were cloned, and their tissue–sex expression profiles were determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). All six genes except for SfruOR6 were highly and specifically expressed in the antennae, with SfruOR6, 13 and 62 being male-specific, while the other three (SfruOR11, 16 and 56) were male biased, suggesting their roles in sex pheromone perception. A functional analysis by the Xenopus oocyte system further demonstrated that SfruOR13 was highly sensitive to the major sex pheromone component Z9-14:OAc and the pheromone analog Z9,E12-14:OAc, but less sensitive to the minor pheromone component Z9-12:OAc; SfruOR16 responded weakly to pheromone component Z9-14:OAc, but strongly to pheromone analog Z9-14:OH; the other four candidate PRs did not respond to any of the four pheromone components and four pheromone analogs. This study contributes to clarifying the pheromone perception in the FAW, and provides potential gene targets for developing OR-based pest control techniques.

Perbedaan pola tanam dan kriteria aplikasi insektisida memengaruhi keanekaragaman arthropoda tanah pada pertanaman kubis (Brassica oleracea)

Penggunaan pestisida secara berlebihan dan intensif pada tanaman kubis (Brassica oleracea) dapat menyebabkan resistensi, resurgensi, pencemaran lingkungan, residu kimia, dan penurunan populasi musuh alami dan keanekaragaman arthropoda tanah. Berbagai teknik pengendalian hama telah dikembangkan, seperti penggunaan sistem tumpang sari yang merupakan bagian dari teknik budi daya dan juga aplikasi insektisida. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk memelajari efek dari tiga pola tanam kubis dan perbedaan kriteria aplikasi insektisida terhadap keanekaragaman arthropoda tanah. Percobaan disusun berdasarkan rancangan petak terbagi. Tiga pola tanam kubis terdiri atas tumpang sari kubis dan tomat, kubis dan Ageratum sp. sebagai tanaman refugia, dan kubis monokultur. Tiga kriteria dalam aplikasi insektisida, yaitu didasarkan pada ambang ekonomi, aplikasi berjadwal, dan tanpa aplikasi insektisida. Secara umum, pola tanam kubis monokultur dan aplikasi pestisida menyebabkan kelimpahan arthropoda tanah lebih rendah dibandingkan dengan perlakuan lainnya. Perlakuan kubis dengan Ageratum sp. dan tanpa aplikasi insektisida dapat meningkatkan keanekaragaman arthropoda tanah.