Soil Pests Research Articles

Soil pest control for maize when applying drip and sprinkler irrigation

In Ukraine, the application of pesticides along with irrigation water (pestigation) is becoming more widespread and popular. The use of insecticides when applying them along with irrigation water on reclamation systems (insecticide method) is a reliable way to reduce the number of dangerous pests. The advantage of this method is the possibility of timely delivery of plant protection products to crops during their critical periods, and rapid application of pesticides regardless of weather conditions.
 The use of insecticides along with drip irrigation to control owlet moth caterpillars was carried out in the II-III decades of June. The most effective products were: Woliam Flexi 300 SC, Ampligo 150 ZC FC and Enzhio, 247, SC. Among the one-component products reliable protection of crop plants was provided by Actara, 240 SC. Under drip irrigation, owlet moth larvae control proved was rather effective, reaching 85,7-100%. On the variant with the maximum rate of insecticides, the highest efficiency was provided by the preps of Woliam Flexi 300 SC, Ampligo 150 ZC and Enzhio, 247 SC (97,1-100%). 
 Against the larvae of Agriotes the reliable protection of corn when applying insecticides along with drip irrigation, was obtained on the variant with Voliam Flexi 300 SC, KS, where having an application rate of 0,3 l/ha, the protection level was 97,1%. 
 Reduction in the number of owlet moth caterpillars and Agriotes arvae on the variants of the experiment provided crop density and enabled to obtain a higher yield of corn grain. When applying Woliam Flexi 300 SC, Ampligo 150 ZC and Enzhio, 247 SC, at the maximum application rates, the crop density averaged 84-88 thou /ha. In general, on the variants of the experiment when the maximum rates of multi-agent preps were applied, the maize productivity was 2,0-2,4 t/ha. higher than the figures on the reference variants.

NATURAL CONTROL OF Helicoverpa armigera (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) PUPAE IN ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL MAIZE CROPS

The natural biological control of soil pests is poorly studied. Notably, the control of Helicoverpa armigera in the pupae stage is unknown. To increase knowledge about the control of this pest in organic and conventional maize crop, tests were conducted to verify if the duration of pupae availability in days, the type of crop treatment (organic and conventional), the stage of crop development, and the depth of the soil significantly affect predation by natural enemies. The pupae availability time (days) in the soil did not affect their removal by natural enemies. However, in the fallow stage, on the surface and in the reproductive phase, the predation was higher. In organic maize, predation was 15% higher when compared to conventional maize. The rupture of the soil and the possible losses associated with beneficial fauna were the main factors responsible for higher predation during fallow, so conservationist practices usually used in organic treatment are the main reason for higher predation in this type of crop. There is a significant decrease in the control of H. armigera pests by natural enemies when maize is grown using conventional practices, what reinforces the importance of the conservation techniques used in maize crops.

NATURAL CONTROL OF Helicoverpa armigera (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) PUPAE IN ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL MAIZE CROPS

The natural biological control of soil pests is poorly studied. Notably, the control of Helicoverpa armigera in the pupae stage is unknown. To increase knowledge about the control of this pest in organic and conventional maize crop, tests were conducted to verify if the duration of pupae availability in days, the type of crop treatment (organic and conventional), the stage of crop development, and the depth of the soil significantly affect predation by natural enemies. The pupaeavailability time (days) in the soil did not affect their removal by natural enemies. However, in the fallow stage, on the surface and in the reproductive phase, the predation was higher. In organic maize, predation was 15% higher when compared to conventional maize. The rupture of the soil and the possible losses associated with beneficial fauna were the main factors responsible for higher predation during fallow, so conservationist practices usually used in organic treatment are the main reason for higher predation in this type of crop. There is a significant decrease in the control of H. armigera pests by natural enemies when maize is grown using conventional practices, what reinforces the importance of the conservation techniques used in maize crops.

Productive Increase in Soybeans from Hormone Treatment, Inoculation and Co-inoculation

The increase in productivity in soybean cultivation has been achieved by many Brazilian producers, due to the technological advances related to soil management, mineral nutrition, pest and disease control, genetic improvement, and the use of beneficial microorganisms via inoculation and co-inoculation. However, the application of inoculants based on Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Azospirillum brasilense still needs to be better studied among the many soybean cultivars available in the market. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the production increase in three soybean cultivars, through the application of synthetic hormones, inoculant and co-inoculant. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four repetitions, in a 3x6 factorial scheme, with three soybean cultivars (Desafio 8473, TMG 1180 and CD 2737) and six seed treatments (Control, Inoculation, Hormonal, Co-inoculation, Co-inoculation + Hormonal and Inoculation + Hormonal). The treatments with the diazotrophic bacteria (Inoculation + Co-inoculation) and Hormonal did not influence the yields of cultivars 'CD 2737' and 'Desafio 8473', which can only be cultivated with the standard seed treatment of the region. The 'TMG 1180' cultivar has it’s yield increased when it’s seeds are inoculated with Hormonal seed treatments and with diazotrophic bacteria in Co-inoculation.

Soil ecological effect of attapulgite and its application prospect in ecological planting of Chinese materia medica

The long-term and extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the cultivation of Chinese materia medica has resulted in serious soil ecological and environmental problems such as secondary salinization, soil consolidation, soil acidification, continuous cropping obstacles, micro-ecological imbalance, and serious soil pests and diseases in the production areas of Chinese materia medica. Therefore, promoting the ecological planting of Chinese materia medica is the only way for the production of Chinese materia medica. Attapulgite(ATP) is a kind of water-rich magnesium-rich aluminosilicate clay mineral with layered and chain structure. It has abundant reserves in China, possesses nano-material properties, strong adsorption and ion exchange properties, and has huge high value utilization space. ATP and its functional products have the potential of water and fertilizer conservation, regulating soil structure and micro-ecology, and are widely used in ecological planting of Chinese materia medica. This paper reviews the resource distribution, structural characteristics, the research and application progress in soil ecological effects of ATP, and prospects the application prospects of it in the ecological planting of Chinese materia medica.

The Effect of Soil Type on Gaseous Emissions from Flooded Rice Fields in Portugal

Overall rice cultivation in Europe occurs under flooding conditions to control soil temperature, weeds, and pests. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of sandy and clay soils on ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4) emissions from flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields. A 2-year rice field experiment was conducted in two different soils (sandy and clay soil) during two consecutive seasons in central Portugal. Soil mineral N dynamics and gas fluxes were followed between rice sowing (May) and harvest (October) dates. The NH3 fluxes were measured by the dynamic chamber technique while the N2O, CO2, and CH4 fluxes were measured by the closed chamber technique. Ammonia and N2O emissions did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) among the two soils and were about 10% and 1.5% of the N applied, respectively. In clay soil, CO2 emissions were significantly higher (p 0.05) between the two soils. The yield-scaled NH3 from clay soil was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 29% relative to sandy soil. The present study suggests that NH3 losses and global warming potential from flooded rice are quite similar among the sandy and clay soil. However, the yield-scaled NH3 was significantly higher in clay soil, in relation with a highest concentration of available ammonium in the solution, while yield-scaled global warming potential was not significantly different among the two soils.

Combined releases of soil predatory mites and provisioning of free-living nematodes for the biological control of root-knot nematodes on ‘Micro Tom tomato’

Soil predatory mites feed on a diverse diet making them excellent candidates for conservation biocontrol. Free-living nematodes (FLN) are commonly found in soils and serve as prey for many acarine predators. Our goal was to determine whether conservation biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes by predators could be enhanced by provisioning FLN with their culture medium (FLNCM) under semi-field conditions. We conducted two experiments on dwarf tomato plants, the first until the beginning of flowering and the second until harvest. The treatments evaluated were with and without: 1) the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita, 2) the predator Stratiolaelaps scimitus, and 3) the FLN Rhabditella axei in its culture medium. In both experiments, gall abundance was lowest in the combined treatment of FLN and predators. Similar reduction in gall abundance occurred when only predators or only FLNCM was added to the soil mix. Additionally, in the FLNCM treatment, foliar macronutrients N and K were significantly higher than the negative control. Our original aim was to use FLN as a supplementary food source for predators in conservation IPM. Based on the significant reduction in gall numbers, and the increase in foliar macronutrients, it is clear that the FLNCM treatment played additional roles. Finally, for demonstration, the predation of M. incognita was visualized in high resolution imaging using a low-temperature-scanning electron microscope. Accordingly, we recommend that future research focus on identifying soil amendments that will foster the establishment of beneficial microbiota, FLN and soil predators for the conservation biological control of soil pests.

Evaluation of the Field Efficacy of Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) and Synthetic Insecticides for the Control of Western Corn Rootworm Larvae.

The western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae), is an important insect pest of maize in North America and Central and Eastern Europe. In Central Europe, the larvae emerge in May and its three instars feed intensively on maize roots in June, causing plant lodging that leads to a loss of economic yield. A three-year field experiment (2016–2018) was conducted to compare the effectiveness i) of soil-applied granular insecticide based on the active ingredient tefluthrin, ii) of maize seeds dressed with thiacloprid, and iii) entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae, product Dianem) against WCR larvae. An additional treatment with alcohol ethoxylate (i.e., soil conditioner) mixed with entomopathogenic nematodes was performed in 2017 and 2018 to check for any increase of entomopathogenic nematodes’ effectiveness. Field tests were carried out in two fields infested naturally with a WCR pest population, one in Bučečovci (Eastern Slovenia) and the other in Šmartno pri Cerkljah (northern Slovenia), exhibiting dissimilar pedo-climatic conditions and soil pest densities. The treatments were performed in five replicates per experiment in each year. The efficacy of the treatments was very similar at both locations, despite the approximately five-fold lower WCR soil pest densities in northern than in eastern Slovenia, as well as being constant over time. The largest number of WCR beetles was observed in the negative control, followed by that of beetles subjected to thiacloprid treatment (insignificant decrease taking into account the entire three-year dataset). Treatments with tefluthrin (44.1 ± 11.7%), H. bacteriophora (46.2 ± 7.4%), and H. bacteriophora + alcohol ethoxylate (49.2 ± 1.8%) significantly decreased the numbers of emerging beetles. Treatments of thiacloprid, H. bacteriophora, and H. bacteriophora + alcohol ethoxylate additionally led to significantly increased maize plant weights. Furthermore, entomopathogenic nematodes were able to persist in maize fields for almost five months at both experimental locations in silty and sandy loam soils. It was concluded that the control of WCR larvae in maize using the entomopathogenic nematode H. bacteriophora is as effective as a tefluthrin treatment, and could thus offer a sustainable Diabrotica v. virgifera biological control management option in Europe.

Impacts of neonicotinoid seed treatments on soil-dwelling pest populations and agronomic parameters in corn and soybean in Quebec (Canada).

Agricultural soil pests, including wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae), are managed primarily with pesticides applied directly to seeds before sowing. Seeds coated with neonicotinoids have been used widely in Quebec (Canada) for several years. To assess the agronomic and economic value of neonicotinoid seed treatments in soybeans and corn in Quebec, trials were conducted from 2012 to 2016 in 84 fields across seven regions in Quebec. We evaluated the effect of neonicotinoid seed treatments on soil pest densities, crop damage and yield. The results showed that 92.6% of corn fields and 69.0% of soybean fields had less than 1 wireworm per bait trap. However, no significant differences in plant stand or yield were observed between treated and untreated corn or soybeans during the study. This study shows that neonicotinoid seed treatments in field crops in Quebec are useful in less than 5% of cases, given the very low level of pest-associated pressure and damage, and that they should not be used prophylactically. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies need to be developed for soil insect pests to offer effective alternative solutions to producers.

Assessment of Factors Constraining Organic Farming Expansion in Lis Valley, Portugal

Organic farming can play an important role in rural development and food production, by reinforcing the trend toward sustainable agriculture and its purpose of ecosystem conservation. The agribusiness of organic farming is particularly relevant in family farming, given the labor availability and the short marketing circuits. The innovative techniques of organic farming, namely with soil fertility, weed and pest control, opens a wide range of possibilities in its development and extension. The expectation of organic farming profitability in small-scale family farming, supported by known successful examples, were the theme of a field study on Lis Valley Irrigation District to assess the constraints to its expansion in order to outline the procedures for the acquisition of technical knowledge, the adaptation of technologies, the support for the conversion of production models, and the specialized training of farmers for action. Results revealed that the: (i) farmer’s land structure, (ii) their mature age, (iii) low education level, and (iv) markets, are the main constrains for organic farming development. Furthermore, other uncertainties were identified, namely: (i) the certification process, (ii) the knowledge of new technologies, especially of crop protection, and (iii) the marketing problems to guaranteeing profitability. This study concludes that organic farming has significant potential for development in the Lis Valley and that the efforts and resources of the various stakeholders, namely the state, need to be harmonized to deliver effective support to farmers to promote organic farming that prioritizes: (i) rural development policies, (ii) supporting land restructuring, (iii) modernization of irrigation, (iv) stimulation of young farmers, (v) conversion and implementation of innovative technologies, (vi) the organization of farmers for better productive efficiency, and (vii) to facilitate market access.

Impact of insecticide and pollinator-enhancing substrate applications on cocoa (Theobroma cacao) cherelle and pod production in Côte d’Ivoire

Cocoa yield in the major cocoa-producing countries is far below potential levels. It has been shown that apart from poor soil fertility, inadequate genotypes and pest and disease incidence, this yield gap is caused by below-optimum pollination levels. On 3 Ivorian cocoa farms, during the six months preceding the main harvest season of 2018–2019 (August 2018 until January 2019), we used generalized mixed models to investigate how the creation of a pollinator-friendly environment by applying rotting organic material (banana pseudostems) to cocoa fields, combined with and without insecticide applications, influences cocoa production. It was found that banana pseudostem treatments had a positive effect on cherelle production but that this effect was only observed in plots treated with insecticide to protect cherelles against sap-sucking mirids, at the beginning of the experiment. Furthermore, although we did not find significant differences in cherelle wilt rates between treated and control plots, we did not observe a significantly higher accumulated number of mature pods that were produced on trees treated with substrate and untreated control trees during the 25 week experimental period. The pollination-enhancing effect of the substrate on cherelle production in sprayed plots was significantly higher in trees that were close (<1 m) to the holes to which the substrate was applied, compared to trees that were further away from these holes. Reduced rainfall towards the end of the minor rainy season of October – November, concurred with a decrease in the number of flowers but also with a decrease in fruit set rate. Soils of all experimental farms had nutrient levels considered to be inadequate for cocoa production, which can explain why the increase in cherelles (+ 75 % and + 50 % in trees respectively close to and further away from substrate holes) did not result in significant increases in mature pods. Our results suggest that closing the pollination gap will close the cocoa yield gap, only when other factors that prevent cherelles to develop into mature pods, are addressed.

Transition challenge to organic agriculture: A course for advancing belowground insect pest management

The global movement towards organic agriculture has aroused much criticism about its production performance. Despite efforts to prevent risks of food shortage, the negative role of soil insect pests has been marginalized, although these pests cause unmanageable crop losses. The aim of this study, therefore, is to corroborate the role played by organic inputs in soil pest attraction under field crop conditions and to identify the potential factors involved for potential use as bait for trapping soil pests. Laboratory experiments, field-cage tests and field investigations were undertaken in this study in addition to olfactory bioassay tests of the dominant soil, leaf litter, crop residue and cow dung manure volatiles likely to be involved in ovipositional site selection or shelter. The results showed that decomposing cow dung manure attracts more Holotrichia oblita during oviposition than the other treatments considered, and the associated volatile p-cresol was the best attractant. The results draw attention to the negative effect resulting from the application of decomposing organic matter and suggest a mixture including p-cresol, butanoic acid and indole as a promising alternative approach for soil insect pest control.

The Experience of Early Cabbage’s Organic Production in Film Greenhouses

Early cabbage is one of the simplest crops for organic farming. Due to their short period of vegetation, she has practically no problems with pests and diseases. It is not by chance that many farmers who cultivate organic products choose it as their main crop. It does not require tying and forming. It is cold-resistant crop and required only few heating of greenhouse, and besides - the most expensive of all cabbages. But some subtleties need to be considered. The article is devoted to this experience. When conducting research, the biological and economic efficiency of biological solutions of various groups that can be used to protect the culture from a complex of pests has been determined. Possible problems with soil pests. Its create problems at first. Then we may meet with most dangerous for the cabbage’s plants the caterpillars of <i>Pieris brassicae</i>. When we cut the cabbage’s harvesting we find the slugs (<i>Deroceras agrestis</i>) between their leaves. However, all problems can be solved with the help of biological products.

Effect of selected chemical features on the technological value of sugar beet yield after application of treatments on soil pests

The aim of the study was to evaluate the 5 variants of treatments used for combating the of cutworms in terms of technological yield of sugar beet. The results of the analysis of the component features of the technological yield were carried out separately in individual years of experimentation, indicate a statistically significant and directly proportional effect of root mass on the technological yield of sugar from 2011 to 2018 in Słupia Wielka and Winna Góra. Technological yield of sugar was determined directly proportionally by the mass of roots and polarization using each treatment in both places. The content of K was inversely proportionate to the technological yield of sugar using phenological treatment with the use of heat sums and without treatment in Winna Góra and treatment according to signalling, treatment after finding foraging signs and treatment according to phenological criterion in Słupia Wielka. The content of N α-amino inversely determined the technological yield of sugar in beets for each of the treatments used in Winna Góra and the three treatment options used in Słupia Wielka. Celem badań była ocena zastosowanych 5 wariantów podejmowania decyzji o zwalczaniu gąsienic rolnic na plon technologiczny cukru buraków. Wyniki analizy zależności cech składowych plonu technologicznego, przeprowadzonej osobno w poszczególnych latach prowadzenia doświadczeń, wskazują na istotny statystycznie i wprost proporcjonalny wpływ plonu korzeni na plon technologiczny cukru we wszystkich latach badań 2011–2018 w Słupi Wielkiej i Winnej Górze. Plon technologiczny cukru był determinowany wprost proporcjonalnie przez masę korzeni i polaryzację przy zastosowaniu każdego z zabiegów w obu miejscowościach. Zawartość K wpływała odwrotnie proporcjonalnie na plon technologiczny cukru przy zastosowaniu wariantu zabiegu na podstawie obserwacji fenologicznych z zastosowaniem sum ciepła oraz na obiekcie kontrolnym w Winnej Górze oraz zabiegu według sygnalizacji, zabiegu według objawów żerowania i zabiegu według kryterium obserwacji fenologicznych w Słupi Wielkiej. Zawartość N α-aminowego determinowała odwrotnie proporcjonalnie plon technologiczny cukru dla każdego z zastosowanych zabiegów w Winnej Górze oraz trzech wariantów zabiegów w Słupi Wielkiej.

Seed treatment with biologically-active compositions as the main element of sunflower protection from diseases and soil pests

Seed treatment with biologically-active compositions as the main element of sunflower protection from diseases and soil pests

Influence of Organic and Biofertilizers on Some Soil Chemical Properties, Wheat Productivity and Infestation Levels of Some Piercing-Sucking Pests in Saline Soil

Influence of Organic and Biofertilizers on Some Soil Chemical Properties, Wheat Productivity and Infestation Levels of Some Piercing-Sucking Pests in Saline Soil

Toxicological impact of deltamethrin on growth and nitrogen content of a rice field cyanobacterium Calothrix sp. (GUEco 1002).

Cyanobacteria are an important component in the rice field ecosystem and are a well known source of natural biofertilizer. Pesticidal application for the control of pests in rice field soil has led to several environmental problems, and poses a great threat to these beneficial microorganisms. Studies on the impact of pesticides on the diazotrophic growth and survivability of these microorganisms have recently gained much attention. The present paper describes the effects of an iterated use of the insecticide deltamethrin (2.8% EC) on the growth and nitrogen fixation capacity of the filamentous cyanobacterium Calothrix sp. (strain GUEco 1002). This organism has shown a varying degree of sensitivity to the insecticide. For evaluating the deltamethrin toxicity, the test organism was subjected to varying concentrations of deltamethrin i.e. 17.5 ppm, 35 ppm, 70 ppm and 140 ppm based upon LC50 for 20 days. The data obtained in the laboratory revealed that the treatment of the test organism with deltamethrin (17.5-140 ppm) negatively affected its growth, pigments, protein and nitrogen content in a time dose dependent manner. In contrast, carbohydrate content significantly increased with increasing concentrations of deltamethrin, this effect being more prominent at 140 ppm treatment (38%). At this high level (140 ppm), the test organism showed a significant decrease in dry weight biomass (46%), chlorophyll-a (72%), carotenoids (57%), phycocyanin (67%), protein (69%) and nitrogen content (61%) over the control. A little, but insignificant, stimulatory effect on nitrogen content was recorded at 17.5 ppm of the insecticide which however, was the opposite in the case of growth, pigments, carbohydrate and protein content.

SOYBEAN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT FOR PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE

"In order to protect agroecosystems and to optimize soybean crop yield from the Transylvanian Plain, the adoption of complex methods of sustainable management with minimal impact on the environment has now become a challenge. Therefore, an experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research-Development Station Turda in 2018, to provide the best methods for the development of an Integrated Management System (IMS) for phytosanitary soybean crop risks. The field factorial experiment was based on a subdivided parcel design with two replications. Experimental models for soybean crop protection have been developed. Field research was carried out for analyzing the technological (agricultural practices), biological (diseases, insects, pests) and environmental (climate change, methods of improving soil fertility with phytosanitary risk by applying environmentally friendly products) factors affecting soybean crop yield and quality. An entomological sampling strategy (pheromone traps, plant surveys) was used for evaluating the IMS environmental risk and methods for increasing plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stress factors were also studied. The obtained data was correlated with the production values for the 3 experimental factors: the tillage system, fertilization and treatments. The following pests were recorded, soil pests Coleoptera, Agriotes larvae, Opatrum, dipterans Delia platura and D. florilega, vectors of viruses and phytoplasmoses, cicadas, aphids, trips and the common red spider Tetranychus urticae, defoliating omissions Vanessa cardui, owls Autographa gamma, Mamestra suasa, M. oleracea, Agrotis segetum) etc. In the climatic conditions of 2018, most frequent pathogens were downy mildew (Peronospora manshurica and bacterial blight Pseudomonas glycinae."

NEW DATA ON ENTOMOFAUNA HARMFUL TO RAPESEED CROPS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MEASURES TO PREVENT AND REDUCE ATTACKS

"Rapeseed, the first crop established in autumn, is a species that attracts a large number of pests, from emergence to the siliquae formation and seed. Decreased production due to the attack of harmful insects can vary between 30-50%, in certain years, they can completely compromise crops. This paper presents data on the entomofauna harmful to rapeseed crops and the influence of measures to prevent and combat attacks, under specific conditions in the Central area of Moldova. The results obtained between 2017 and 2020 showed that the harmful entomofauna of rapeseed was composed of 23 species of insects, classified in five systematic orders: Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Heteroptera, Hymenoptera and Homoptera. According to the number of species and the number of specimens collected, the order Coleoptera had the maximum share of 73.9% and respectively 88.9%. Within the order Coleoptera, the most abundant species were Phyllotreta atra (41.4%), Meligethes aeneus (27.8%), Ceuthorynchus assimilis (9.6%) and Phyllotreta nemorum (7.3%). Out of the total pest entomofauna, it was found that 30% affect rapeseed crops in the period between seed germination-plant emergence-leaf rosette formation, 9.1% in budding phase, 38% in flowering and 1.8% up to 2.8% in the phenophases of siliquae formation and seed. To prevent the attacks of soil pests (P. atra, P. nemorum, Psylliodes sp., Athalia rosae) was achieved by chemical treatment of the seed with Imidacloprid, Clothianidin and Thiamethoxam. The product Lumiposa 625FS-11.4 l/t seed was experimented with good results in seed treatment. To reduce the attacks of the pests during the flowering period (M. aeneus, A. rosae, Epicometis hirta, Ceuthorynchus assimilis) three treatments were applied on vegetation as follows: Decis Mega-0.075l/ha; Biscaya-0.3 l/ha; Mavrik-0.2 l/ha. This work was carried out within ADER 4.1.5 and 2.2.1 projects."

The phytosanitary status of sunflower crops оf north-eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

The high economic efficiency of sunflower growing contributed to a sharp increase in the sunflower planting acreage in Sumy region. The increase of cultivated areas under sunflower resulted in an oversaturation of crop rotations with this crop. The study of the phytosanitary status of sunflower crops was carried out in the basic farms of the phytosanitary security department of the Main Office of State Consumer Service (Derzhprodsluzhba) in Sumy region. The research methodology was commonly accepted.&#x0D; The main pests of sunflower crops were grey beet weevil (Tanymecus palliates Fabr.), larvae of common click beetle (Agriotes sputator L.), darkling beetle (Opatrum sabulosum L.), larvae of the western may beetle (Melolontha melolontha L.), leafcurl plum aphid (Brachycaudus helichrysi Kalt).&#x0D; The sunflower seedlings were damaged grey beet weevil, darkling beetle. The most widespread soil pests were the larvae of the western may beetle and larvae of common click beetle.&#x0D; Leafcurl plum aphid populated sunflower crops with 6‒8 pairs of true leaves. It continued to spread across the field during the inflorescence stage and the stage of initial blossom. The highest pest colonization was observed at the edge of the field in 2015, 2017 and accounted for 16 % of the plants. In the middle of the field, the aphid colonization was lower than at the edge.&#x0D; During the years of research, the economic threshold of sunflower pest harmfulness was exceeded only in some years. Sunflower damage by grey weevil beet, larvae of common click beetle, darkling beetle, larvae of the western may beetle was weak, and their number was insignificant.&#x0D; The increase of sunflower acreage did not lead to a significant growth of pest number, the exceeding of economic threshold of their harmfulness.