Plant Pests Research Articles

Half-Century Scientometric Analysis: Unveiling the Excellence of Fungi as Biocontrol Agents and Biofertilisers

Reducing the use of chemical inputs is becoming a major challenge in developing sustainable agriculture. Fungi, known as biocontrol agents (BCAs) and biofertilisers, are crucial in scientific research and are celebrated for their efficacy, eco-friendliness, and multifaceted roles. In this study, a bibliometric analysis was conducted on 5349 articles related to fungi as BCAs and biofertilisers over the past half-century using the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. The publications on fungi, such as BCAs and biofertilisers, have increased significantly over the last 20 years, with a maximum growth rate of 33.7%. The USA and China lead in this field. Keyword clustering analysis revealed that entomopathogenic fungi, including Hemiptera, Coleoptera, and Lepidoptera, can be used to manage plant pests. It also showed that fungi can be used as biofertilisers to promote plant growth. The analysis of research trends shows that Beauveria bassiana in biological control is highly significant. This study also showed that entomopathogenic fungi control plant pests by infiltrating the insect cuticles. Trichoderma spp. exert biocontrol effects by producing antibiotics. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can trigger plant defence mechanisms by modulating secondary metabolite synthesis. This study contributes to the current knowledge of fungi as BCAs and biofertilisers and can guide future research.

Commercial availability of invertebrate biological control agents targeting plant pests in Germany

Abstract Biological control is a recognized and well-implemented strategy to protect crops from pests and diseases, and there is an urgent need to expand biocontrol-based crop protection further, also in Germany. Specially, the use of invertebrate biological control agents (IBCA) is considered as a fundamental method in integrated pest management and organic farming. The objective of this article is to give an overview of the current commercially available and used IBCA species in Germany. Of those, individual non-indigenous species are critically examined for potential environmental risks. Furthermore, the current legal situation in Germany about the use of IBCA is described. Based on this information, this article clarifies the need for an environmental impact assessment for IBCA species that do not occur naturally in Germany. An outlook for their safe use in the future is discussed.

The utilization of biological control against regulated pests in the EPPO region: challenges and opportunities

AbstractBiological control is a pest control method that can offer an environmentally safer alternative to chemical pesticides. The proven safety record of both augmentative and classical biological control technologies allows its utilization against indigenous and non‐indigenous but well‐established pests, whether under protected conditions (e.g., glasshouses) or in open field cropping systems. This manuscript has been developed by the Joint European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) and the International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control (IOBC) Panel on Biological Control Agents and presents an assessment on the current use of classical and augmentative biological control for the control of regulated plant pests. The paper discusses challenges for the uptake of biological control for regulated pests and provides recommendations to increase the safe use of biological control agents in the EPPO region.

Kajian Perilaku Petani Bawang Daun (Allium Fistulosum L.) dalam Mereduksi Risiko sebagai Upaya Meningkatkan Produktivitas Usahatani di Desa Linonggasay

The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of income and the amount of risk of Scallion farming and to describe the behavior of farmers in reducing the risk of onion farming in Konawe Regency. The study was conducted in 2023 at the onion production center in Linonggasay Village, West Wonggeduku District with a total sample of 20 farmers. The analysis used was income analysis and descriptive analysis of the risk level using the variation coefficient (%). The results showed that the average net income was IDR 12,788,000 per planting season. Scallion farming is included in the category of farming with a risk of less than 0.5, namely the use of equipment (0.05), the use of pesticides (0.13), and the use of labor in fertilization (0.32), while the rest have moderate risks, namely harvest labor (0.51), planting labor (0.59), seeds (0.64), fertilizer (0.72), and processing (0.90) and none in the high risk category. Some of the farmer behaviors carried out to reduce risk include: buying seeds from saprodi kiosks, controlling plant pests using chemical fertilizers, using recommended planting distances, utilizing labor from outside the village, and in the event of failure, taking savings to meet family needs.

Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum Pest Report to support the ranking of EU candidate priority pests

Abstract In 2022, EFSA was mandated by the European Commission's Directorate‐General for Health and Food Safety (M‐2022‐00070) to provide technical assistance on the list of Union quarantine pests qualifying as priority pests, as specified in Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against plant pests. As part of Task C, EFSA conducted comprehensive expert knowledge elicitations on candidate priority pests, focusing on the lag period, rate of expansion and impacts on production (yield and quality losses) and the environment. This report provides the rationale for the dataset on Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum, delivered to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, to feed the Impact Indicator for Priority Pest (I2P2) model and complete the pest prioritisation ranking exercise.

Spodoptera frugiperda Pest Report to support the ranking of EU candidate priority pests

Abstract In 2022, EFSA was mandated by the European Commission's Directorate‐General for Health and Food Safety (M‐2022‐00070) to provide technical assistance on the list of Union quarantine pests qualifying as priority pests, as specified in Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against plant pests. As part of Task C, EFSA conducted comprehensive expert knowledge elicitations on candidate priority pests, focusing on the lag period, rate of expansion and the impact on production (yield and quality losses) and the environment. This report provides the rationale for the dataset on Spodoptera frugiperda, delivered to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, to feed into the Impact Indicator for Priority Pest (I2P2) model and complete the pest prioritisation ranking exercise.

Bactericera cockerelli Pest Report to support the ranking of EU candidate priority pests

Abstract In 2022, EFSA was mandated by the European Commission's Directorate‐General for Health and Food Safety (M‐2022‐00070) to provide technical assistance on the list of Union quarantine pests qualifying as priority pests, as specified in Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against plant pests. As part of Task C, EFSA conducted expert knowledge elicitations on candidate priority pests, focusing on the lag period, rate of expansion and impact on production (yield and quality losses) and the environment. This report provides the rationale for the dataset on Bactericera cockerelli, delivered to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, to feed the Impact Indicator for Priority Pest (I2P2) model and complete the pest prioritisation ranking exercise.

Popillia japonica Pest Report to support the ranking of EU candidate priority pests

Abstract In 2022, EFSA was mandated by the European Commission's Directorate‐General for Health and Food Safety (M‐2022‐00070) to provide technical assistance on the list of Union quarantine pests qualifying as priority pests, as specified in Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against plant pests. As part of Task C, EFSA conducted comprehensive expert knowledge elicitations for candidate priority pests on the lag period, rate of expansion and impacts on production (yield and quality losses) and the environment. This report provides the rationale for the dataset on Popillia japonica, delivered to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, to feed the Impact Indicator for Priority Pest (I2P2) model and complete the pest prioritisation ranking exercise.

Xylella fastidiosa Pest Report to support the ranking of EU candidate priority pests

Abstract In 2022, EFSA was mandated by the European Commission's Directorate‐General for Health and Food Safety (M‐2022‐00070) to provide technical assistance regarding the list of Union quarantine pests qualifying as priority pests, as specified in Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against plant pests. As part of Task C, EFSA conducted comprehensive expert knowledge elicitations on candidate priority pests, focusing on the lag period, rate of expansion and impacts on the production (yield and quality losses) and the environment. This report provides the rationale for the dataset on Xylella fastidiosa, delivered to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, to feed the Impact Indicator for Priority Pest (I2P2) model and complete the pest prioritisation ranking exercise.

Arrhenodes minutus Pest Report to support the ranking of EU candidate priority pests

Abstract In 2022, EFSA was mandated by the European Commission's Directorate‐General for Health and Food Safety (M‐2022‐00070) to provide technical assistance on the list of Union quarantine pests qualifying as priority pests, as specified in Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against plant pests. As part of Task C, EFSA conducted comprehensive expert knowledge elicitations for candidate priority pests on the lag period, rate of expansion and impact on production (yield and quality losses) and the environment. This report provides the rationale for the dataset on Arrhenodes minutus, delivered to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, to feed the Impact Indicator for Priority Pest (I2P2) model and complete the pest prioritisation ranking exercise.

Nepovirus myrtilli Pest Report to support the ranking of EU candidate priority pests

Abstract In 2022, EFSA was mandated by the European Commission's Directorate‐General for Health and Food Safety (M‐2022‐00070) to provide technical assistance on the list of Union quarantine pests qualifying as priority pests, as specified in Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against plant pests. As part of Task C, EFSA conducted expert knowledge elicitations for candidate priority pests, focusing on the lag period, expansion rate and impact on production (yield and quality losses) and the environment. This report provides the rationale for the dataset on Nepovirus myrtilli, delivered to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, to feed the Impact Indicator for Priority Pest (I2P2) model and complete the pest prioritisation ranking exercise.

Thrips palmi Pest Report to support the ranking of EU candidate priority pests

Abstract In 2022, EFSA was mandated by the European Commission's Directorate‐General for Health and Food Safety (M‐2022‐00070) to provide technical assistance on the list of Union quarantine pests qualifying as priority pests, as specified in Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against plant pests. As part of Task C, EFSA conducted comprehensive expert knowledge elicitations on candidate priority pests, focusing on the lag period, rate of expansion and impact on production (yield and quality losses) and the environment. This report provides the rationale for the dataset on Thrips palmi, delivered to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, to feed the Impact Indicator for Priority Pest (I2P2) model and complete the pest prioritisation ranking exercise.

Polygraphus proximus Pest Report to support the ranking of EU candidate priority pests

Abstract In 2022, EFSA was mandated by the European Commission's Directorate‐General for Health and Food Safety (M‐2022‐00070) to provide technical assistance on the list of Union quarantine pests qualifying as priority pests, as specified in Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against plant pests. As part of Task C, EFSA conducted comprehensive expert knowledge elicitations for candidate priority pests on the lag period, rate of expansion and impacts on the production (yield and quality losses) and the environment. This report provides the rationale for the dataset on Polygraphus proximus, delivered to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, to feed the Impact Indicator for Priority Pest (I2P2) model and complete the pest prioritisation ranking exercise.

Molecular target for sprayable double-stranded RNA-based biopesticide against Amphitetranychus viennensis (Acari, Tetranychidae).

Amphitetranychus viennensis, a destructive pest mite of fruit plants in Europe and Asia, poses a serious challenge due to its adaptability and resistance to multiple acaricides. RNA interference (RNAi)-based technologies offer a promising alternative to address this emerging issue. In this study, we screened for candidate genes that can be targeted for spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS). Suppression of AvSrp54k, AveIF4A-1, AvHel31B, AvCOPB2 and AvProsbeta5 led to a significantly higher mortality and caused minor damages to leaf discs in comparison to the controls. Among them, AvCOPB2 and AvProsbeta5 were the best candidates with the highest mortality (>95%) and minimal leaf damages (<13%). Given that LdProsbeta5 is the active ingredient of the first sprayable dsRNA-based biopesticide, Ledprona, against the Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, we examined the suitability of AvProsbeta5 in managing A. viennensis. In comparison to the control, A. viennensis population was suppressed by >95% at day-17, and the plant defoliation rate decreased to 0 at day-24. Our combined results not only provide two viable molecular targets for sprayable dsRNA-based biopesticides, but also confirm the practical implications of SIGS in managing A. viennensis, one of the most destructive arthropod pests in orchards and ornamental plants.

Ecological Impact on the Prevalence of Giant Scale Insect (Homoptera : Monophlebidae) in Jahangirnagar University Campus, Bangladesh

Most monophlebid insects are highly polyphagous, dimorphic, and well-known sap-sucking plant pests throughout the world. To determine their abundances, distribution, incidences, seasonal dynamics, feeding nature and the effects of ecological changes on their populations, an initial study (September 2004–August 2005) and a review study (March 2023–February 2024) were carried out in Jahangirnagar University Campus (JUC), Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The host plants (trees and shrubs) were examined through biweekly visual counts. In the initial investigation, 14,802 monophlebid insects from three species (Biodiversity Index or BI = 0.002, H = 1, D = 0.387, 1-D = 0.613, 1/D = 2.58, and EH = 0.91) were documented from 10 plant species. In the review study, a total of 423 insects under five species (two previously identified and three new) (BI = 0.141, H = 0.22, D = 0.917, 1-D = 0.083, 1/D = 1.1, and EH = 0.14) detected from five plant species, including one new species. Within around 20 years from the first study, the percentage of total plants and infested plants decreased significantly by 47.14% and 92.96%, respectively. The amount of insects decreased by 2.86%, while 87.67% of shrubs decreased (F = 5.8, df = 1, P = 0.07). The pest insects from trees and shrubs reduced by 3.67% and 0.45%, respectively. The identified most suitable host plant was Ficus benghalensis for sheltering maximum scale insect in both studies. The only insect pest, Icerya aegyptiaca was consistently abundant throughout the period in both studies. The insect, I. aegyptiaca was found available on every part of the plant, though the majority of them survived on leaves. The present findings might contribute understanding ecological imbalances and helpful for developing effective management strategies against these insect pests. J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 50(1-2): 51-67, June-December 2024

A novel hybrid inception-xception convolutional neural network for efficient plant disease classification and detection

Plants are essential at all stages of living things. Plant pests, diseases, and symptoms are most regularly visible in plant leaves and fruits and sometimes within the roots. Yet, their diagnosis by experts in the laboratory is expensive, tedious, and time-consuming if the samples involve laboratory analysis. Failure to detect early plant symptoms and diseases is the core biotic cause of increased plant stresses, structure, health, reduced subsistence farming, and threats to global food security. To mitigate these problems at a social, economic, and environmental level, inappropriate herbicide application reduction and early plant disease detection and classification (PDDC) are significant solutions in this case. Advancements in transfer learning techniques have resulted in effective results in smart farming and have become extensively used in disease identification and classification research studies. This study presents a novel hybrid inception-xception (IX) using a convolution neural network (CNN). The presented model combines inception and depth-separable convolution layers to capture multiple-scale features while reducing model complexity and overfitting. In contrast to ordinary CNN architectures, it extends the network for better feature extraction, improving PDDC performance that demands diverse feature competencies. It further presents a real-time artificial intelligence (AI) application available in MATLAB, Android, and Servlet to automatically identify and classify diseases based on the leaf environment using improved CNN, machine learning (ML), and computer vision techniques. To assess the presented IX-CNN model performance, different classifiers, namely, support vector machine (SVM), decision tree (DT) and random forest (RF), were used. The experiments used six datasets, including PlantVillage, Turkey Disease, Plant Doc, Rice Disease, RoCole, and NLB datasets. Plant Doc, PlantVillage, and Turkey Disease datasets demonstrated an accuracy of 100%. Rice Disease, RoCole, and NLB attained an accuracy of 99.79%, 99.95%, and 98.64%, respectively.

Identifikasi Bakteri Endofit Dalam Penerapan Eco-Enzyme Pada Budidaya Jahe Merah (Zingiber Officinale Var. Rubrum)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of red ginger as a herbal treatment increased significantly, establishing it as a highly popular herbal commodity. However, disruptions caused by plant pests have led to fluctuating demand. One major issue is bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, which can result in yield losses of up to 90%. Biological control using endophytic bacteria has shown promise in managing bacterial wilt, particularly bacteria residing in the red ginger rhizosphere. This research aimed to explore and identify endophytic bacteria from the rhizosphere of red ginger plants. The study was conducted from September to October 2022 at the Greenhouse and Integrated Chemistry and Biology Laboratory, PGRI University Yogyakarta. Soil samples were collected from red ginger cultivation systems implementing eco-enzymes as part of a healthy farming approach. Four treatments were applied with three replications: no eco-enzyme, 0.1% eco-enzyme, 0.3% eco-enzyme, and 0.5% eco-enzyme. Each treatment involved three soil samplings, yielding a total of 36 soil samples for analysis. Exploration of the rhizosphere resulted in the isolation of 36 bacterial strains, of which 20 were identified as belonging to the genera Bacillus sp. and Pasteuria sp. Among these, 16 isolates were identified as Bacillus sp., including six from the no eco-enzyme treatment, one from the 0.3% eco-enzyme treatment, and nine from the 0.5% eco-enzyme treatment. Additionally, five isolates were identified as Pasteuria sp., with two from the 0.1% eco-enzyme treatment and three from the 0.3% eco-enzyme treatment.

Subjective Health Complaints in Women Famers Exposed to Pesticides in Agricultural Area

Pesticides are chemicals that are increasingly used particularly in agriculture to control plant pests. While pesticides offers benefits they also cause adverse effects on humans, especially if not handled properly. Women in agricultural areas exposed to pesticides are at risk of developing health problems related to pesticide exposure, which are often related to their involvement in agricultural activities such as spraying, mixing pesticides, washing spraying equipment and clothing. The research aims to analyse the risk factors for subjective health complaints due to pesticide exposure in female farmers. The observational study employed a cross-sectional approach. The study population comprised female farmers exposed to pesticides residing in Sekayu District, Musi Banyuasin South Sumatra, Indonesia. A sample size of 136 was obtained through Cluster Sampling. Primary data were collected through interviews and observations using questionnaires and checklists. Data were analysed using the Chi-Square Test. The results indicated that female farmers reported a range of subjective health complaints including fatigue, anxiety, headache, blurred vision, nausea, decreased appetite, muscle weakness, and muscle spasms. Several variables were associated with subjective health complaints including age (p=0.05), working period (p=0.002), number of types of pesticides (p=0.000), and storage method of pesticides (p=0.021). Female farmers should limit their exposure to pesticides through reducing the length of contact with pesticides, avoiding the mixing of different types of pesticides, and storing pesticides according to the storage instructions.

Unveiling the feeding response of Spodoptera litura to natural host and artificial diet

AbstractBehavioral studies play a crucial role in assessing food utilization in insects. However, there exists a gap in our understanding of the phenotypic plasticity in Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and how it impacts their growth, development, and potential for plant damage. This study aimed to investigate the phenotypic plasticity of S. litura, with a focus on its immature stages, and evaluate the consequences of plant damage and pest management. We conducted in vitro experiments using both a standard artificial diet and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L., Solanaceae) plants to assess the growth, development, survival, longevity, reproductive capacity, and egg‐laying capability of S. litura larvae and adults. A type II functional response was estimated for all larval instars, utilizing the Likelihood Holling's Disk model, which provided two key coefficients: the search rate (a) and handling time (Th). Our findings revealed that sixth instars exhibited exceptional agility and efficiency, requiring the shortest time to process each milligram of diet compared with other larval stages. Moreover, when larvae were fed on tobacco, they displayed the shortest developmental time and the highest fecundity. This trend extended to pupal weight, pupal duration, pupal emergence, fecundity, and longevity, which were all significantly higher in individuals fed on tobacco. Additionally, S. litura larvae that fed on tobacco exhibited greater efficiency in converting digested food and lower approximate digestibility compared to larvae fed the artificial diet. These results underscore the importance of focusing on the management of fourth, fifth, and sixth instars, which have the potential to cause severe plant damage. Understanding the functional and nutritional response of S. litura larvae enhances the efficiency of integrated pest management strategies (IPM) at early stages while minimizing ecological impact.

A phylogenetic epidemiology approach to predicting the establishment of multi-host plant pests

Forecasting emergent pest spread is paramount to mitigating their impacts. For host-specialized pests, epidemiological models of spread through a single host population are well developed. However, most pests attack multiple host species; the challenge is predicting which communities are most vulnerable to infestation. Here, we develop a phylogenetically-informed approach to predict establishment of emergent multi-host pests across heterogeneous landscapes. We model a beetle-pathogen symbiotic complex on trees, introduced from Southeast Asia to California. The phyloEpi model for likelihood of establishment was predicted from the phylogenetic composition of woody species in the invaded community and the influence of temperature on beetle reproduction. Plant communities dominated by close relatives of known epidemiologically critical hosts were four times more likely to become infested than communities with more distantly related species. Where microclimate favored beetle reproduction, pest establishment was greater than expected based only on species composition. We applied this phyloEpi model to predict infestation risk in California using weather data and complete tree inventories from 9262 1-km2 grids in 170 cities. Regions in the state predicted with low likelihood of infestation were confirmed by independent monitoring. Analysts can adapt these phylogenetic ecology tools to predict spread of any multi-host pest in novel habitats.