Plant Pests Research Articles

Algorithms for Effector Prediction in Plant Pathogens and Pests: Achievements and Current Challenges

Algorithms for Effector Prediction in Plant Pathogens and Pests: Achievements and Current Challenges

Classification of Corn Diseases and Pests Using Fuzzy Naïve Bayes Method

Corn is an essential dietary source for humans and animals. In addition to being a food source, corn has numerous benefits as a manufacturing commodity. The quality of grain crops must be considered to minimise the likelihood of disease and pest infestations. Therefore, the diseases and pests that attack corn plants must be classified so that farmers can control them during the growth period of corn plants. The fuzzy naive Bayes method is a statistical machine learning method that can be used to classify the diseases and pests of corn crops based on colour space-transformed digital images. This study aims to classify corn plant diseases and pests using the fuzzy naive Bayes method. Digital images of corn plant diseases and pests were transformed into a red, green and blue colour space model. The following seven classes of corn plant diseases and pests were classified: leaf rust disease, downy mildew disease, leaf blight disease, Locusta pest, Heliotis armigera pest, Spodoptera frugiperdita pest and non-pathogenic pest. With this method, the classification model achieves an accuracy of 87.83%, a macro precision of 34.91%, a macro recall of 35.90% and a macro f-score of 33.82%.

Role of Biocontrol Agents in Suppressing Plant Pathogen: A Compressive Analysis

Biocontrol agents have emerged as important tools in the quest for sustainable agriculture, offering environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides for managing plant pathogens and pests. This comprehensive review explores the advancements in biocontrol agent research, focusing on the exploration of new agents, genetic engineering, and integration into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems. The discovery of novel biocontrol agents from diverse environments, including plant microbiomes and marine ecosystems, has expanded the arsenal available for agricultural use, while genetic engineering and synthetic biology have enhanced the efficacy of existing agents by improving their production of antimicrobial metabolites and stress tolerance. Additionally, the development of synthetic microbial consortia and innovative delivery systems, such as encapsulation and nanotechnology, has improved the stability and application efficiency of biocontrol agents in various agricultural settings. The review also highlights the importance of sustainable and eco-friendly approaches, such as the use of organic amendments and crop rotation, to enhance the effectiveness of biocontrol strategies. These methods not only improve soil health and biodiversity but also reduce the reliance on chemical inputs. However, the widespread adoption of biocontrol agents faces challenges, including environmental variability, host specificity, and the need for supportive regulatory frameworks. Harmonizing regulatory processes, promoting public awareness, and providing incentives for sustainable practices are essential for overcoming these barriers. International cooperation and knowledge exchange are crucial for advancing research and ensuring that biocontrol agents become integral components of modern agriculture. This review underscores the potential of biocontrol agents to contribute significantly to global food security and environmental sustainability, provided that ongoing research and innovation continue to address existing challenges and expand their practical applications in diverse agricultural contexts.

Chromosome Structural Rearrangements in Invasive Haplodiploid Ambrosia Beetles Revealed by the Genomes of Euwallacea fornicatus (Eichhoff) and Euwallacea similis (Ferrari) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae).

Bark and ambrosia beetles are among the most ecologically and economically damaging introduced plant pests worldwide. Life history traits including polyphagy, haplodiploidy, inbreeding polygyny, and symbiosis with fungi contribute to their dispersal and impact. Species vary in their interactions with host trees, with many attacking stressed or recently dead trees, such as the globally distributed Euwallacea similis (Ferrari). Other species, like the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer Euwallacea fornicatus (Eichhoff), can attack over 680 host plants and is causing considerable economic damage in several countries. Despite their notoriety, publicly accessible genomic resources for Euwallacea Hopkins species are scarce, hampering our understanding of their invasive capabilities as well as modern control measures, surveillance, and management. Using a combination of long and short read sequencing platforms, we assembled and annotated high quality (BUSCO > 98% complete) pseudo-chromosome-level genomes for these species. Comparative macrosynteny analysis identified an increased number of pseudo-chromosome scaffolds in the haplodiploid inbreeding species of Euwallacea compared to diploid outbred species, due to fission events. This suggests that life history traits can impact chromosome structure. Further, the genome of E. fornicatus had a higher relative proportion of repetitive elements, up to 17% more, than E. similis. Metagenomic assembly pipelines identified microbiota associated with both species including Fusarium fungal symbionts and a novel Wolbachia strain. These novel genomes of haplodiploid inbreeding species will contribute to the understanding of how life history traits are related to their evolution and to the management of these invasive pests.

New plant health monitoring framework

With the continuous advancement of technology and the expanding demands of the agricultural market, plant health monitoring holds significant importance in the agricultural sector. However, according to statistics, most current monitoring models exhibit low detection efficiency and inadequate accuracy. To address these issues and specifically enhance the efficiency and accuracy of plant health monitoring, this paper proposes a recognition strategy and plan composed of two parts: (1) identification of plant species and (2) health monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. During the health monitoring process, issues such as plant diseases, pests, nutrient deficiencies, and inadequate environmental conditions can be detected. This strategy, implemented through a systematic automated monitoring system, will greatly benefit the large-scale development of agriculture.

PENERAPAN GOOD AGRICULTURE PRACTICES (GAP) PADA USAHATANI BUAH NAGA MERAH DI KECAMATAN PESANGGARAN KABUPATEN BANYUWANGI

This research develops and applies the implementation of Good Agriculture Practices to red dragon fruit farming, influencing factors, and recommendations for providing extension materials to increase its implementation. Implementing Good Agricultural Practices must be by Control Points, Standard Operating Procedures, Plant Pest Control, filling out workbooks, and re-registration, which are obligations that farmers must carry out after obtaining a Good Agricultural Practices certificate. In this study, as many as 62 red dragon fruit farmers certified as Good Agriculture Practices were selected as a whole or total sampling. The Likert scale is used to analyze the level of implementation of Good Agriculture Practices. Logistic Regression Analysis is used to see the factors that influence the level of implementation of Good Agriculture Practices. Efforts to increase the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices through rankings. The research results show that (1) the implementation of Good Agriculture Practices in red dragon fruit farming is sufficient; (2) factors that influence the implementation of Good Agriculture Practices are the variables of farming experience, perception of production quantity, and perception of selling price. (3) recommendations for increasing the implementation of Good Agriculture Practices in red dragon fruit farming in Pesanggaran District can be done by providing material on priority efforts starting from Mandatory Control Points, Very Green Control Points, filling out workbooks, implementing Plant Pest Control, re-registering, Points Control Recommendations, and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures.

Effective Pest Control Through Natural Predators: A Dynamical Plant–Pest–Predator Model

The impact of pests on crop yield is a significant worry for farmers, and finding an effective strategy to control insect population growth has become a pressing matter. This study explores the dynamic analysis of a model that incorporates natural predators to control crop pests. In the research, an analysis is conducted on the model’s positivity and boundedness, followed by an examination of the existence and stability of the equilibrium points. The study focused on analyzing bifurcations at a biologically feasible equilibrium point. The parameters considered for bifurcation are the predation rate by pests and the consumption rate of natural predators. In addition, an optimal control technique has been employed to enhance the growth of the plant population through the utilization of Pontryagin’s maximum principle. Moreover, the impact of the nine parameters on the model is examined through sensitivity analysis using the partial rank correlation coefficient method. Numerical simulations are conducted to validate the analytical findings, revealing the occurrence of bifurcation and the positive impact of control on plant population growth.

A Comprehensive Review of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Sprayers Used in Modern Agriculture

Global demand for food is increasing daily due to increase in population growth. Hence to meet these food demands for the growing population crop productivity must be enhanced. Plant pests and diseases are major threats to crop productivity causing an annual reduction of 20 to 40% in global crop production. For management of these pest and diseases spraying using manual sprayers is quite laborious and also not precise. Further manual spraying is hazardous to farmer’s health, World Health Organization (WHO) reported one million incidences of illness as a result of manually application of insecticides to crop fields. As a result, new automated drone technology techniques were unveiled. This review examines the application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) sprayers in modern agriculture, highlighting their transformative role in enhancing crop management and increasing efficiency. UAV technology has emerged as a vital tool for precision agriculture, offering benefits such as targeted pesticide and fertilizer application, reduced labor costs, and minimized environmental impact. This paper discusses the various types of UAV sprayers, their operational mechanisms, and the advantages they provide over traditional methods. Additionally, we explore challenges associated with UAV adoption, including regulatory issues, technical limitations, and the need for operator training. The review emphasizes the future potential of UAV sprayers in sustainable agriculture, suggesting that continued advancements in technology and regulatory frameworks will further integrate UAVs into mainstream agricultural practices.

Economic Assessment of Tuta Absoluta Effect on Tomato Production in East Nawalparasi

Tuta absoluta is an invasive and highly destructive pest of tomato plants, originated in South America, specifically Peru. It has the capability to infest and cause extensive damage to large areas of cultivated tomato fields, as well as other plants in the solanaceous family. This study aims to assess the economic analysis of effect of Tuta absoluta on tomato production. The study was carried out in Kawasoti municipality, Madhyabindu municipality, and Hupsekot rural municipality of East Nawalparasi district of Nepal. They were selected purposively as research sites as the problem of Tuta was more prominent in these localities. Ninety households that were involved in tomato cultivation were selected through the simple random sampling method for the survey. The primary data were collected through individual respondents through pre-tested questionnaires, face-to-face questionnaire surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics, scaling & indexing were used to analyze the data. Most of the farmers cultivated tomatoes in open fields (68.8%) only whereas 26.6% of farmers cultivated in plastic tunnels. The insect pest problem was ranked as the first major problem of farmers. The study revealed that all of the farmers had problems with Tuta in their tomato fields. The minimum yield loss due to Tuta absoluta was 10% and the maximum loss was 80%. The total variable cost (T.V.C) for tomato production in one kathha is NRs. 11210. Average production of tomato per kathha was 550 kg. Gross return and gross margin from tomato cultivation in 1 kathhaare NRs. 16500 with Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.64. The average loss of tomatoes per kathha was 72 kg. Only 20 % of the farmers had knowledge regarding the life cycle Tuta absoluta. The most affected stage by Tuta was the flowering stage. This study suggests that effective management of Tuta absoluta can substantially improve tomato production.

Genomic Characterization and Establishment of a Genetic Manipulation System for Trichoderma sp. (Harzianum Clade) LZ117.

Trichoderma species have been reported as masters in producing cellulolytic enzymes for the biodegradation of lignocellulolytic biomass and biocontrol agents against plant pathogens and pests. In our previous study, a novel Trichoderma strain LZ117, which shows potent capability in cellulase production, was isolated. Herein, we conducted multilocus phylogenetic analyses based on DNA barcodes and performed time-scaled phylogenomic analyses using the whole genome sequences of the strain, annotated by integrating transcriptome data. Our results suggest that this strain represents a new species closely related to T. atrobrunneum (Harzianum clade). Genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), transporters, and secondary metabolites were annotated and predicted secretome in Trichoderma sp. LZ117 was also presented. Furthermore, genetic manipulation of this strain was successfully achieved using PEG-mediated protoplast transformation. A putative transporter gene encoding maltose permease (Mal1) was overexpressed, which proved that this transporter does not affect cellulase production. Moreover, overexpressing the native Cre1 homolog in LZ117 demonstrated a more pronounced impact of glucose-caused carbon catabolite repression (CCR), suggesting the importance of Cre1-mediated CCR in cellulase production of Trichoderma sp. LZ117. The results of this study will benefit further exploration of the strain LZ117 and related species for their applications in bioproduction.

Biocontrol of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley using entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria

IntroductionPhenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, poses a significant threat to a range of crops worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi (Alternaria murispora and Alternaria destruens) and bacteria (Streptomyces bellus-E23-2) against adult females of P. solenopsis under laboratory (26 ± 2°C) and greenhouse conditions.MethodsLaboratory trials tested A. murispora, A. destruens (104–1010 conidia mL−1), and S. bellus E23-2 (104–1010 cfu mL−1), alone and in combination, recording mortality rates and LC50 values. Greenhouse trials tested the best lab treatments on infested potato plants, monitoring pest density and plant quality.Results and discussionIn laboratory trials, A. murispora at 1010 conidia mL−1 was the most effective, achieved 79.7% mortality (LC50 = 1.338 × 108 conidia mL−1 after 14 days). Combination treatments significantly enhanced efficacy, with A. murispora + S. bellus E23-2 (1010 conidia mL−1 + 1010 cfu mL−1) reaching 85.3% mortality. In greenhouse trials, the combination treatments notably reduced P. solenopsis densities and increased the number of infected mealybugs, with A. murispora + S. bellus E23-2 being the most effective. These treatments did not harm plant quality, unlike imidacloprid, which reduced visual quality despite its high efficacy. Alternaria murispora and S. bellus E23-2 effectively control P. solenopsis, providing a sustainable, plant-safe alternative to chemical insecticides.

Microbial Biopesticides: An Ecofriendly Plant Protection Measures

Microbial pesticides possess active microbes capable of controlling plant pests in agriculture, horticulture, and forests. Microbes benefit plants through metagenomics, metabolomics, and strain enhancement efforts, keeping the loss below the economic threshold. The study looked at over 50 years of literature from various sources. Other investigations combined the factors used in this review study. They are biologically effective in controlling plant disease and insect pests. Since the modern agroecosystem depends more on chemical-based pesticides for pest control, microbial biopesticides are gaining popularity in terms of their natural, eco-friendly, and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, the higher demand for organic food products further propels the future market for microbial pesticides. This review updates the mechanisms of controlling insect pests and plant diseases through biological control using biopesticides.

The Effectiveness of Essential Oils as Vegetable Pheromones Against Cocoa Pests Using The Trap Method

Cocoa plants are one of the important commodities in plantation crops. The decreasing cocoa production is caused by several factors, one of which is pest attacks. There are several main pests in cocoa plants, namely, fruit borer pests, fruit sucking pests and lice. Currently, the use of chemical insecticides has been widely studied, causing many residues that can pollute the environment and disrupt the stability of the agro-ecosystem. One alternative that can be used is the use of attractants, namely pheromones derived from plant extracts containing essential oils. The use of pheromones with the trap method is one of the insect trapping techniques that has been widely used in control. The purpose of this study was to obtain the best combination of essential oils as vegetable pheromones to control pests in cocoa plants. This study consisted of six treatments and three replications. Treatment consists of use of vegetable pheromones derived from patchouli oil, cinnamon oil, oil nutmeg, clove oil, control (water) and combination (all treatments).

Effectiveness of A Combination of Kitolod Leaves (Laurentia longiflora), Papaya Leaves (Carica papaya), and Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) as Candidates for Biocides on Bactrocera Pests in Citrus sinensis Plants

Bactrocera is a pest that is detrimental to citrus farming. Bactrocera attacks cause developmental disorders in citrus fruit, including changes in fruit color (black spots appear from Bactrocera infection) and premature rot. Bactrocera also has a symbiotic relationship with Liberibacter asiaticus which causes Citrus Vein Phloem Degeneration (CVPD) disease which attacks phloem tissue in citrus plants. Bactrocera pest control was carried out by combining plants that have the potential to be used as biocides, namely kitolod, papaya, and lemongrass plants. This combination was used to switch the habits of fruit farmers who previously used synthetic pesticides to control pests. Natural biocides are expected to have the same effectiveness as synthetic pesticides, but leave no residue on cultivated plants. A combination biocide from the three plants was made using the maceration method to obtain an infusion from each plant. Before being tested on Citrus plantations, an assay was carried out using an olfactometer to determine the effectiveness of the biocides. The research revealed that the combination of these three plants has the potential to be used as a natural biocide without leaving residueand causing damage or other developmental disorders to citrus plants.

Production and Marketing Strategies of Pineapple Growers in Calauan, Laguna, Philippines

Pineapple holds significant economic importance in the Philippines due to its widespread cultivation, prominent export position, and favorable climate. As a leading producer and exporter, the country makes a substantial contribution to the global market. This study primarily focused on data collection concerning the production and marketing system of pineapple in Calauan, Laguna, Philippines. The descriptive research design was used in the study covering the quantitative data gathered from fifty- two (52) pineapple growers utilizing checklist-based questionnaire. The study revealed that production of pineapple was established for more than 10 years in a one to two hectares of land generating an approximate income of PhP 100,000.00 to PhP 200,000.00 annually. Most common pineapple cultivar planted was Smooth cayenne or Hawaiian cultivars. Data revealed that the production systems undertaken by the pineapple growers in Calauan, Laguna were grown in a free draining loam soil applied with inorganic fertilizer every two months and regular weeding was done. Harvesting was done manually to maintain the quality of fruits. Direct marketing of pineapple showed helpful to the growers for easy generation of income after harvesting. Common preference on Calauan pineapple was based on its sweetness regardless of its size and mostly bought by the buyers and consumers in farm gate level. Pricing of pineapples were based on its size considering its class. Promotion and sales of pineapples were based on direct selling and wholesale and on cash basis. The study identified several challenges low demand of product, low supply of product, lack of planting materials and pest and diseases. To address these challenges, the study recommended that pineapple growers may explore biotechnologies through government intervention to increase the number of planting materials and production of quality pineapple. It also recommended that pineapple growers may attend training's and seminars regarding marketing, bookkeeping and post-harvest for value adding technologies that will help to increase the income.

Development of a Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Detecting Five Previously Unreported Papaya Viruses for Quarantine Purposes in Korea

There are concerns about the introduction and spread of plant pests and pathogens with globalization and climate change. As commercial control agents have not been developed for plant viruses, it is important to prevent virus spread. In this study, we developed a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection method to rapidly diagnose and control three DNA (papaya golden mosaic virus, Lindernia anagallis yellow vein virus, and melon chlorotic leaf curl virus) and two RNA (papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus and lettuce chlorosis virus) viruses that infect papaya. Specific primer sets were designed for the virus coat protein. Performing PCR, clear bands were observed with no non-specific reaction. Our multiplex PCR method can simultaneously detect small amounts of DNA/RNA to diagnose five viruses infecting papaya and prevent the spread of the virus.

Potential of Pangi Leaf Extract For Papaya Mealybug Control (Paracoccus marginatus)

The use of smer plant extracts is one alternative in environmentally friendly pest control. This research generally aims to obtain a technology for controlling Paracoccus marginatus mealybug pests that is environmentally friendly and easily applied by farmers. This study aims to determine the formulation of vegetable insecticide extract of pangi leaves to control papaya mealybug P. marginatus. This research was conducted at the Laboratory of Plant Pests and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Sam Ratulangi University Manado. This research method used consisted of five treatments of pangi leaf extract dosage, namely: 5%, 10%, 20%, 40% and control. Each treatment was tested on pest nymphs. P. marginatus. And each treatment was repeated 5 times. The results of the study showed that 40% pangi leaf extract had the highest percentage of daily mortality at 24% and 48%. The higher the concentration of pangi leaf extract formulation, the higher the killing power on mealybug P. marginatus.

Corrigendum: Antifungal evaluation of turmeric rhizome extract against Colletotrichum capsici, the causal agent of anthracnose on red-chili peppers (Capsicum annuum L.)

Antifungal evaluation of turmeric rhizome extract against Colletotrichum capsici, the causal agent of anthracnose on red-chili peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) by Akin, HM, Aggraini D, Wibowo L, Prasetyo J & Suharjo R. 2024. J. Trop Plant Pests Dis. 24(1): 75–81. https://doi.org/10.23960/jhptt.12475-81 In the original article, on page 77, the formula for disease intensity has an incomplete legend. The authors apologize for this mistake and clarify that it does not affect the scientific conclusions of the article. The original version has been corrected

Repellency of Citronella Essential Oil in Controlling Pests in Plants

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of citronella essential oil as a repellency agent in controlling pest attacks on plants. The method used was systematic literature review with data collection through literature studies to collect various types of existing literature to be extracted according to the research title. The findings indicated that citronella essential oil has potential as an environmentally friendly and sustainable pest control method. However, several challenges such as the stability of the oil in the open and the need for periodic reapplication need to be addressed. With an integrated approach that takes into account relevant environmental and technical factors, the use of citronella essential oil can become an integral part of a more effective pest control strategy in agriculture.

Pest Control and Safety Management Monitoring in Outdoor Plantation Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Captured Images

The National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon, Chungcheongnam-do, exhibits and studies Korea’s diverse ecosystems to communicate the importance of biodiversity conservation to the general public. The site faces the challenge of preserving the natural environment while ensuring visitor convenience. This requires systematic data collection to quickly detect and respond to threats from pests and natural disasters. In this study, high-resolution orthoimages were acquired to monitor ecological changes using unmanned aerial vehicles. Images were captured through flights monthly from March to July 2024. Digital elevation models and orthoimages were generated to identify dead trees and assess areas of damage caused by heavy rainfall. The study covered an area of 998,655 m2, and the image resolution was 3.6 cm/pixel. The orthophotos were useful in identifying plant pest damage. They also helped evaluate damage caused by rain, showing that the total area of damage was 29,384 m2, mainly due to soil erosion. Furthermore, it is expected that the accumulation of such unmanned remote sensing image data can also be applied to the safety management of various natural conservation areas and public facilities.