Surface water retention of leaves and fruits of apple ( Malus domestica Borkh.) and sweet cherry ( Prunus avium L.), was evaluated under controlled environmental conditions in order to determine the retention potential at different growth stages. Dipping and spraying, with and without non-ionic surfactant, were used as application systems. Water retention was expressed as the ratio between the weight difference of the organ before and post application and organ weight before application. Leaf water retention by dipping was 62 and 64% for ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apples, respectively, and 37 and 50% by spraying. The surfactant tended to reduce foliar water retention by spraying on both species. An exponential reduction of fruit water retention was observed during their growth. Fruit dipping generated the highest water retention, with values of 50% at the earliest stage. Then, water retention stabilized at 1–2%, when the apples and sweet cherries diameter reached 25 and 15 mm, respectively, despite dipping or spraying. The surfactant tended to increase water retention at early fruit stages and to reduce it with fruit growth. These results can be useful for estimating the potential residue on leaves and fruits in apple and sweet cherry trees, in both the orchard (spraying) and the packing house (dipping).

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are promising as biocontrol agents for the most economically important insect pest attacking a wide range of host plants. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the impact of four artificial diets and one natural food on numbers, weights, and total lipid content of the greater wax moth larvae, Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as well as the impact of these diets on the ability of nematode species Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae to infect insects and multiply inside an insect host which had been reared on one of five different diets (D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5). The correlation between larvae weight and total lipid content, pathogenicity or multiplication of nematodes was also studied. The obtained results indicated that D2, D5 and D3 gave the highest growth or weights of larvae. The larvae produced weighed 3.71, 3.67 and 3.25 g from 50 g media, respectively. Statistically, larvae weights had a positive and significant correlation with the lipid content in larvae where r = 0.732. On the other hand, infective juveniles (IJs) of nematodes produced from insect hosts reared on D2 and D5 revealed more pathogenicity on larvae, since they caused the highest percent of mortality, 53.33 and 50.0% for H. bacteriophora, and 56.67 and 53.33% for S. carpocapsae, respectively. The total lipid content had a positive and highly significant correlation with the pathogenicity of the two nematode species where r = 0.97 and 0.971, respectively. Ultimately, the supplied foods of the artificial diets D2, D3 and natural beeswax (D5) gave the most suitable chance for developing insect growth and increasing the EPN quality and enhancing the potential of EPNs as biological control agents against different insect pests.

The complete genome sequence of tomato leaf curl Palampur virus (ToLCPlV), that infects a papaya ( Carica papaya) plant, was determined. The virus genome was composed of 2,756 and 2,719 nucleotides (nt) in length, encoding all proteins required for replication, encapsidation and movement with the genome features typical of a bipartite begomovirus. Pairwise identity, derived using the Sequence Demarcation Tool (SDT), identified that the virus DNA A and DNA B shared maximum sequence identity 98–99% corresponding to the DNA A of ToLCPlV ([IR: Jir-T65X:08] JF501720) and 96–98% to the cognate partner DNA B of ToLCPlV ([IR: Jir1:T55P:07] FJ660423), respectively. The evolutionary relation using phylogenetic dendrograms of DNA A and DNA B genome components were clustered with ToLCPlV genomes of DNA A and DNA B of Iranian isolates. This study provides the first evidence of a bipartite ToLCPlV infecting papaya in the Sultanate of Oman and also indicates the requirement for more surveillance of this virus in Oman, as ToLCPlV is a major threat to tomato and other vegetable crops in South Asia (India and Pakistan) and in Iran.

Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) is a serious and widespread virus pathogen of maize plants. This +ssRNA virus belongs to the Potyvirus genus in the Potyviridae family. Together with sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) it causes one of the most important viral diseases on maize crops in the world – maize dwarf mosaic. Both viruses are transmitted in the same non-persistent manner by several aphid species. They induce similar symptoms of leaf mosaic or mottling, stunting and a reduction in plant weight and grain yield. Available MDMV diagnostics include primarily commercialized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR). Here, laborsaving reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay was optimized for identification of genetically different MDMV isolates. For this purpose, primer sets, MDMVF3/MDMVB3 and MDMVFIP/MDMVBIP amplifying fragments of coat protein coding sequence of MDMV, were used. The specificity of the reaction was verified using three MDMV (-P1, -Sp, -PV0802-DSMZ) and three SCMV (-P1, -PV0368- -DSMZ, -PV1207-DSMZ) isolates. Obtained products were visualised by DNA staining, electrophoretic separation as well as by real-time monitoring of the reaction. The sensitivity of RT-LAMP and conventional RT-PCR reactions was comparable. Both methods could detect virus as low as 550 fg · μl–1 of total RNA. This technique has application value for screening MDMV by phytosanitary services.

Dasheen mosaic virus (DsMV) is one of the most important viral pathogens of aroids and can cause major economic losses for ornamental crops. Here, we present the detection and molecular characterisation of DsMV isolates originating from Monstera adansonii plants in Poland. Moreover, the genetic variability of DsMV isolates was analyzed based on the coat protein gene ( CP) of the Polish and other DsMV isolates described to date. The presence of DsMV was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with specific, diagnostic primers in three out of ten examined plants. To obtain full-length sequences of CP, two pairs of primers were designed and used in the RT-PCR. The specificity of obtained products was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The obtained sequences of CP were compared with 44 other DsMV sequences retrieved from the GenBank. Analyses revealed that DsMV population is very diverse. The variability of DsMV isolates was confirmed by low sequence identity and pervasive recombination events. The phylogenetic analysis was performed based on 37 non-recombinant CP sequences. The maximum-likelihood reconstruction revealed that the Polish isolates are distinct and grouped separately from other DsMV isolates. Due to the high genetic diversity, detecting the virus could be difficult. Nonetheless disease management relies strongly on a fast and accurate identification of the causal agent. To our knowledge this is the first report of DsMV in Poland.

In a previous study, the endophytic Bacillus velezensis NC318 was isolated from the rhizosphere of date palm and showed strong antifungal activity against the soil-borne plant pathogenic fungus, Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc, the causal agent of Southern blight. The potential of the Bacillus genus in the inhibition of plant pathogens is mainly due to the production of certain bioactive compounds. In the present study, secondary metabolites extracted from the cell-free supernatant of strain NC318 showed strong antifungal activity on the mycelial growth and germination of S. rolfsii sclerotia in vitro. With 50 μl of bioactive compounds crude extracts, the mycelial growth inhibition rate was 97% and any germination of sclerotia was reported. Chemical analysis of the secondary metabolite crude extracts performed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS), revealed that the secreted bioactive compounds belonged to the family of lipopeptides (iturin, fengycin, surfactin), polyketides (bacillaene, macrolactin, difficidin and bacilysin) and siderophores (bacillibactin). These results provide a better understanding of the biocontrol mechanism of the bacteria strain B. velezensis NC318 against the soil fungal pathogens, especially S. rolfsii root rot.

Exotic plants, such as Eragrostis plana in southern Brazil, may cause significant problems in agriculture. This study aimed to elucidate the influence of E. plana rhizosphere soil on wheat germination and initial development. Bioassays with soil sampled from an infested agroecosystem were carried out using wheat as the target species. A factorial design was used, crossing soil from the horizontal and vertical distances from the E. plana tiller base and considering seasons as a blocking factor. The interaction between season and vertical and horizontal soil positions influenced normal wheat seed germination, with the lowest values (69%) observed in the winter bottom and intermediate soil positions. The highest abnormal seedling percentage (17.6%) was recorded in the summer middle vertical soil position. Dormant wheat seeds were higher (7%) in the spring bottom and distal soil positions. The season was the most important factor for germination, but hypocotyl, radicle, and total wheat seedling length also varied according to soil position. Shorter hypocotyls and seedlings were registered in the summer soil surface, while shorter radicles were observed in the proximal horizontal soil position in the same season. This variable response of wheat germination and seedling development to the infested soil demonstrated E. plana seasonality. The influence also varied according to the distance from the plant tiller base. These findings may be used to improve E. plana management in infested fields and to understand the mechanism of action of its allelochemicals in future research.

During 2016–2020, a longitudinal bark canker was observed on walnut branches in some of the provinces of Iran. The symptoms appeared on one side of the branches. No visible symptoms were observed on the sapwood after removal of the bark using a blade. In order to detect a potential agent of these symptoms on walnut trees, collected samples were transferred to the laboratory for further investigation. After isolation and purification based on standard methods, a fungus was frequently isolated from symptomatic tissues. Morphological and molecular assays indicated that the responsible agent of this disease was Alternaria malorum, moreover, a pathogenicity test confirmed that A. malorum was pathogenic on walnut trees. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first attempt to identify A. malorum as a new causative agent of bark canker on walnut trees in the world.

Salinity is one of the most significant constraints to crop production in dry parts of the world. This research emphasizes the beneficial effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial isolates (PGPR) on the physiological responses of maize and wheat in a saline (NaCl) environment. Soil samples for the study were collected from a maize field in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, India. Isolated bacterial strains were screened for salt (NaCl) tolerance and plant growth-promoting characters (i.e., indole acetic acid (IAA) production, siderophore production, amino cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production, and mineral phosphate solubilization). Screened bacterial isolates were further tested in pot experiments to examine their effects on wheat and maize growth. The treatments included five levels of bacterial inoculation (P0: control, P1: ACC deaminase positive + siderophore producer + NaCl tolerant bacteria, P2: mineral phosphate solubilizer + HCN producer + NaCl tolerant bacteria, P3: IAA producer + ACC deaminase positive + NaCl tolerant bacteria, P4: bacterial consortium, P5: Phosphomax commercial biofertilizer) and salt stress at 6 dS/m. Research findings found that exposure to a bacterial consortium led to the highest growth parameter in maize, including shoot length, root length, shoot and root dry weight followed by P2, P3, and P5 treatments at 6 dS/m salinity levels. However, P2 showed the best results for wheat at the same salinity levels, followed by P3, P4 and P5 treatments. P1 treatment did not show a significant result compared to control at 6dS/m salt level for both crops. The maximum proline content in maize and wheat was observed in P4 (23.28 μmol · g−1) and P2 (15.52 μmol · g−1) treatments, respectively, followed by P5 with Phosphomax biofertilizer. Therefore, the study proposed the application of growth-promoting bacterial isolates as efficient biofertilizers in the Baddi region of Himachal Pradesh, India.

Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. is known to be one of the most invasive species worldwide. In this study, laboratory and greenhouse experiments were carried out to investigate the allelopathic properties of S. elaeagnifolium vegetative parts, root parts, fruit mucilage, and exudate extracts on plant communities and soil properties. In addition, the extract profiles of allelochemicals were quantified and their influence on soil properties and microorganisms was determined. Overall, the allelopathic performance of S. elaeagnifolium was established depending on the extract types, used concentrations, and target species. The doseresponse activity indicated that vegetative parts extract showed the greatest allelopathic potential followed by root parts extract. Subsequently, mucilage extract had a moderate inhibitory potential, while root exudates showed the least activity. The same trend with slight response was detected in soil properties of pH and EC properties. Polyphenols, in the range of 5.70–0.211 mg · g–1 and flavonols, in the range of 2.392–0.00 mg · g–1, were found in the analyzed samples extracted by ethyl acetate using LC-DAD-MS. The total phenol amount was 1.67 to 1.89 in the rhizosphere and 0.53 to 087 mg · g–1 in non-rhizosphere soils. Solanum elaeagnifolium exhibited a greater significant suppression of fungi count in both high and low-density areas than in rhizosphere bacteria. In conclusion, the strong and broadspectrum allelopathic potentials may enhance the ability of S. elaeagnifolium to impact seed germination and seedling growth of neighboring species. These biochemical weapons may play a critical role to facilitate their invasion and establishment in new agroecosystems.

Nozzle type and herbicide application timing can affect herbicide efficacy. Prickly sida ( Sida spinosa) and barnyardgrass ( Echinochloa crus-galli) are problematic weeds in eastern Mississippi cotton production and have reduced yield in recent years. Field studies were conducted at two locations – Brooksville, MS (2018, 2019) and Starkville, MS (2019) to understand the nozzle type and herbicide application timing effects on prickly sida and barnyardgrass control in cotton. Studies also compared applications made by an eight-nozzle tractor-mounted sprayer with a four-nozzle backpack sprayer. Herbicide applications were made at four timings: preemergence (PRE), early-postemergence (EPOST), mid-postemergence (MPOST), and late-postemergence (LPOST) corresponding to the preemergence (immediately after planting), two-to-three leaf, four-to-six leaf, and early-bloom stages, respectively. Treatments were made at 140 l · ha−1 applied at each growth stage, with nozzle type and sprayer as variables by each timing. Results showed no differences in treatments applied with backpack and tractor-mounted sprayers. Control of barnyardgrass was significantly affected by nozzle type, but control of prickly sida was not significantly influenced by nozzle type. In all three site-years, plots receiving a MPOST only herbicide application resulted in less weed control than areas receiving a two-pass POST herbicide program. Cotton yield was significantly affected by the herbicide program at one site-year, but was not significantly affected by the herbicide program except where cotton injury exceeded 15%. A two- or three-pass herbicide program was most effective in controlling prickly sida and barnyardgrass in Mississippi cotton.

Passion fruit is an important fruit crop grown in parts of southern and north-eastern states of India. Leaf curl symptoms typical to begomovirus infection were observed on passion fruit plants at three locations of Madikeri District, Karnataka State, India. The disease incidence ranged from 10–20% in all the locations. In order to determine if the begomovirus was associated with leaf curl disease of passion fruit, 20 infected samples collected from different locations were subjected to PCR analysis using primers specific to begomovirus. This resulted in an expected PCR product of ~1.2 kb. Sequence analysis of these products revealed that they have more than 98% similarity among them and have similarity with other begomoviruses. Complete genome sequencing of begomovirus associated with one sample (PF1 collected from CHES, Madikeri) was done using RCA. Further, sequencing of betasatellite and alphasatellite was done after PCR amplification using specific primers. Complete DNA-A sequence of PF-isolate with other begomoviruses revealed that it shared nucleotide (nt) identity of 87.8 to 88.8% with Ageratum enation virus. This indicated the association of a novel begomovirus with leaf curl disease of passion fruit in India, for which we propose the name, Passion fruit leaf curl virus (PFLCuV) [IN-Kar-18]. PFLCuV associated betasatellite shared 98.3% sequence identity with Tomato leaf curl Bangladesh betasatellite, while alphasatellite had 95.7% sequence identity with Cotton leaf curl Multan alphasatellite. Recombinant analysis indicated a major component of PFLCuV DNA-A may have originated from a recombination of earlier reported begomoviruses. Recombination as well as GC plot analysis showed that the recombination occurred in the genome regions having low GC content regions of PFLCuV. However, there is no evidence of recombination in alphasatellite and betasatellite associated with leaf curl disease of passion fruit. This is the first record of a novel begomovirus and satellites associated with leaf curl disease of passion fruit from India.

Ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is an important forage and suffers negative interference from weeds, like annual bluegrass ( Poa annua L.). The competition of annual bluegrass with ryegrass can interfere with crop growth and reduce the amount of forage for animal feed. We aimed to evaluate the interference of annual bluegrass in ryegrass crops through the differentiation of niche and establishment. Two experiments were carried out testing different competition strata (shoot, root, and both) and ryegrass establishment with or after annual bluegrass, with increasing populations of annual bluegrass (0, 35, 139, 279, 419 plants m ^–2). The variables were plant height, height length of the root system, stem diameter, and fresh weight of shoot and root systems of ryegrass. The negative interference of growing populations of annual bluegrass occurred when in competition for the shoot and root systems of ryegrass. The fresh weight of shoots and roots were impacted when competing for the same strata. Ryegrass, established after the population of annual bluegrass, showed less competitive capacity. The negative interference of annual bluegrass in ryegrass is greater when the plants fully compete for the resources of the environment, and when the ryegrass establishes after the competitor.

This study was carried out for the estimation of polyphenols (TP) and induction of oxidative enzymes polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) in sunflower plants through seed immersion in agrochemicals of salicylic acid (SA) and water soluble chitosan (CH) in addition to a conidial suspension of Trichoderma harzianum and then analysis of plant content of carbohydrates and protein. The highest level of PPO 253.3 U ꞏ min ^–1 was detected in 50 ppm SA for 6 h. Next was T. harzianum when catalyzed PPO with 193.67 U ꞏ min ^–1. Peroxidase was substantially catalyzed in accordance with the increment of inducers. Sunflower roots induced TP with up to 4.88 mg ꞏ g ^–1 in plants treated with SA at 50 ppm for 6 h and then declined with an increasing SA dose. The total carbohydrate content in leaves of 320 mg ꞏ 100 g ^–1 was found in treatments of CH at 50 ppm for 6 h. In roots, a carbohydrate content of 500 mg ꞏ 100 g ^–1 was observed using CH 75 ppm for 6 h. Trichoderma harzianum remarkably increased proteins in leaves and roots by up to 25% compared to 16.9% in the control. These results suggest that inducing the plants’ own defense mechanism by applying salicylic acid and chitosan and bio-control of T. harzianum may offer alternative methods for controlling charcoal rot of sunflower due to the creation of defensive enzymes and could support plant vigor by enhancement of its protein and carbohydrate content.

Human health risk assessment of pesticide residues in agricultural commodities is a key element of food safety strategy. The present study focused on potential risks resulting from selected fruit, vegetable and cereal samples with pesticide residues exceeding maximum residue levels (MRLs) from a 5-year survey of official control in Poland (2017–2021). A novel, common tool, the EFSA Pesticide Residue Intake Model PRIMo was used for short-term exposure calculation with embedded consumption data from EU Member States. The challenge of the research was to determine whether the International Estimated Short Time Intakes (IESTI) of toxic pesticides in the diet are acceptable or not. For the first time with long-term investigation which involved many legislative changes, we prepared a picture of the most dangerous pesticides present in fruits, vegetables and cereals for the most critical sub-populations of adults and children. We examined whether these substances have the potential to cause harm to humans. From the full spectrum of 545 analyzed pesticides, we considered 13 pesticides above safety limits in the concentration range of 0.03 to 2.5 mg · kg ^–1. The most frequently detected compound was the non-authorized, organophospate insecticide chlorpyrifos, which poses toxicological risks to humans. The results of acute exposure were up to 93% ARfD for adults and up to 130% for children. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) showed that consumption of agricultural plants with potential risk can be safe for adults and children, with some exceptions. Samples containing flonicamid/Brussel sprouts (HQ = 1.3) and chlorpyrifos/rucola (HQ = 1.1) could have negative health effects on humans. However, an approach which overestimates the exposure due to a worst-case scenario ensures the widest possible safety margin for the consumers.

The use of biostimulants and cultivar selection play an important role in modern potato farming because they influence tuber yield and quality. The nutritional value and processing suitability of potato tubers are affected by their content of total protein, reducing sugars and sucrose. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of biostimulants on the content of total protein, glucose, fructose and sucrose in potato tubers (skin, flesh and whole tubers with skin), at harvest and after 5 months of storage. The experimental materials included tubers of five edible potato cultivars: Irga, Satina, Valfi, Blaue St. Galler and HB Red. During the growing season, potato plants were treated with the following biostimulants: Asahi SL, Bio-Algeen S-90, Kelpak SL and Trifender WP. Control plants were not treated with biostimulants. The total protein content of tubers was determined by the Kjeldahl method. Simple sugars and sucrose were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. At harvest, total protein concentration was significantly higher in purple- and red-fleshed cultivars than in cream- and yellow-fleshed cultivars. An analysis of tuber parts revealed that flesh had the highest protein content. The total protein content of tubers increased during storage. Biostimulants had no significant effect on total protein concentration in tubers at harvest or after storage. The content of simple sugars and sucrose was higher in the skin, flesh and whole tubers of purple- and red-fleshed cultivars, than in cream- and yellow-fleshed cultivars. Potato tubers with colored flesh accumulated the highest amounts of total sugars. Biostimulants, in particular Bio-Algeen S-90 and Kelpak SL, contributed to the accumulation of monosaccharides and the disaccharide in potato tubers, and, in consequence, total sugars. Their concentrations in potato tubers increased during storage.

Electrolyzed fertilizer solution (EFS) was produced by passing an irrigation solution through an electrolization chamber in order to suppress fungal disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4 (Foc4) infecting banana plantlets. In the laboratory, EFS was prepared by electrolyzing solutions containing different amounts of potassium chloride and potassium nitrate. The results indicated a significant reduction in the conidial densities of Foc4 which was from 10 ⁶ spores · ml ^–1 to a maximum of 10 ^1.3 spores · ml ^–1 and depended on the concentration of components in the input flow. Eventually the EFS produced from the lowest one was chosen to treat banana plantlets. Greenhouse experiments gave contradictory results of inoculated plantlets irrigated with or without EFS. The untreated banana plantlets virtually showed symptoms of infection such as discoloration of cross-cut corms, rapid wilting and dying within 60 days, while the treated ones kept their shapes and grew normally. The drastic fall in the microbial population in the rhizosphere of treated plants confirmed the activity of oxidation agents which is the major mechanism of disease suppression. The results suggest that further studies of EFS in the field as a potential technique in fighting Panama wilt in the banana industry are necessary.

Plant parasites of the genera Longidorus Micoletzky, 1922 and Paralongidorus Siddiqi, Hooper and Khan, 1963 comprise a group of plant root ectoparasites, some of which are known as pests of economic importance. Their importance is further augmented by the fact that several species are known to be vectors of nepoviruses. To date 16 species from the genus Longidorus and two from Paralongidorus have been recorded in Poland. Despite their economic importance in agriculture currently there is no regional key for species identification. This paper presents such a key. The key has many illustrations and is based mainly on traits which are easily observable even by less experienced users. Thus, it should provide a useful tool for both scientists and specialists working in the field of plant protection, soil ecology and zoology as well as for teaching purposes.

Rachiplusia nu (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is the main soybean plague in Argentina. The main strategy employed to control this pest is chemical control, applying different chemical groups regardless of their harmful effects on the environment and human health. Different biological products using entomopathogenic fungi have been developed and are commercially available to control different insect pests worldwide. The objective of this work was to develop and apply, under field conditions, different fungal formulations using entomopathogenic fungi to control R. nu larvae. The mortality percentages in bioassays of R. nu larvae treated with different colonies of fungal entomopathogens ranged between 86.6 ± 8.4% for Beauveria bassiana (LPSc 1098) and 56.6 ± 4.2% for Metarhizium anisopliae (LPSc 907). Under laboratory conditions using fungal formulations of B. bassiana, the formulation 4 (LPSc 1086) exhibited the highest mortality percentage (100%), followed by formulation 5 (LPSc 1098), 97 ± 1.3%. Under field conditions, larval mortalities were 82.4 ± 5.56% for formulation F4 and 61.8 ± 7.5% for formulation F5. The results obtained in this work indicate that although a greater number of tests under field conditions with the fungal formulation F4 are necessary, the results obtained in this work allow speculating that it is possible to use this fungal formulation under field conditions to control R. nu.

The excessive use of chemical products to control thrips and the tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is not only harmful to human health, the environment, and biodiversity, but also the resistance these generate in insects turns them inefficient in the long run. Consequently, to achieve sustainable and residue-free production, control alternatives must be explored. This work proposes the use of Beauveria bassiana (BB) in combination with inter-row cover (IC) to reduce the population of thrips and the incidence of TSWV on bell pepper. For this purpose, a trial was carried out in a bell pepper greenhouse, consisting of four randomly distributed treatments with four repetitions of 66 plants each. The treatments assayed were: T (without BB inoculation or IC), TC (without BB inoculation and with IC), B (inoculated with BB), and BC (inoculated with BB and IC). The B. bassiana CEP147 strain was used based on its effectiveness in previous laboratory tests. After detecting one thrips per flower, five foliar spray applications were made at weekly intervals. The trial lasted 4 months. During this time, the number of thrips in the three central plants of each repetition, the presence of symptoms compatible with TSWV, as well as the number of fruits, and their weight, length, width and health were monitored weekly. Between the fourth and sixth weeks after the last application, a significant reduction in the population of total thrips (nymphs + + adults) was observed in both treatments B and BC compared to T and TC. In addition, plants with symptoms compatible with TSWV were very scarce, and the fruits showed significant differences in their quality parameters, producing the longest and heaviest in the BC treatment. The results showed that combining biological and cultural control makes sustainable pepper production possible.

Fall armyworm ( Spodoptera frugiperda) (FAW) is an important invasive pest of maize. The young FAW larva disrupts the photosynthetic system by feeding on the leaves. The older caterpillar interferes with pollination and fertilization processes, destroying the tassel and silks, or it bores into the maize cob, reducing harvest quality and predisposing the cob to secondary infections. The infested plant responds by channeling or converting the primary metabolites into secondary metabolites for plant defense, further reducing crop yield. The devastating feeding effect on maize becomes even more severe when maize plants are exposed to prolonged drought, during which the production of secondary metabolites is optimum. These secondary metabolites are food for herbivorous insects like the fall armyworm. Naturally, plants possess several adaptive features which enable them to cope and survive herbivorous insect attacks without compensating yield for plant defense. Such features include: thickening of the leaf cuticle of the epidermal cell walls, production of certain allelochemicals, defense proteins and the toxic chemical compound, favone glycoside (silk maysin). This review attempts to critically appraise the physiological implications of fall armyworm damage on developmental processes and maize yield. Understanding the mechanisms of various adaptive traits that confer resistance to maize against herbivorous insect damage would assist greatly in crop improvement processes.

The perspective direction in the biological regulation of insect pest populations is the combined use of different products of organic origin including fungal biological control agents. Therefore, the present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of products of natural origin (Aminogreen 24, Nitrogreen, Foliamin and Naturalis − strain ATCC 74040 of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana) and one synthetic insecticide − standard (deltamethrin + thiacloprid), applied alone and in a mixture in the control of Acyrthosiphon pisum in forage pea. The study was conducted in a field experiment during the period 2017 − 2020. Infestation by leaf aphids was estimated by calculating the cumulative insect- -days ( CID). It was found that the combination of Aminogreen 24 + Naturalis had the most pronounced decrease in CID among products over the years from 2017 to 2020 and the average for the period. The greatest, significant reduction in the number of aphids occurred on day 5 (F8.5 = 15.244; p < 0.033) and day 7 (F8.5 = 33.087; p < 0.037) after treatment. On the 14th day, the decrease in CID (57.4% decrease) statistically exceeded the Proteus 110 OD standard (55.3% decrease) (F8.5 = 49.841; p < 0.049). Good protection against A. pisum was also found with Naturalis and Nitrogreen + Naturalis. There was an additive effect between Naturalis and Aminogreen 24 throughout the entire study period. The ratio of chlorophyll a (Chl a) to chlorophyll b (Chl b) and the ratio of green pigments (Chl a + + Chl b) to carotenoids determined that plants treated with Aminogreen 24 + Naturalis and Naturalis had the best physiological state. The combination of Aminogreen 24 and Naturalis gave the largest, significant, increase in stem height, followed by Nitrogreen + Naturalis. The use of Naturalis, alone and in a combination with Aminogreen 24 and Nitrogreen can be a successful alternative to conventional chemical control.

Determination of interference periods, competitive ability and economic threshold level ( ETL) are important tools for integrated weed management (IWM) in barley. The objective of the work was to determine the periods of interference, the competitive ability and the ETL of weeds in barley ( Hordeum vulgare). Two field experiments were carried out, in a randomized block design, with four replications. In this study, the periods of coexistence and control for ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum) and turnip ( Raphanus raphanistrum) infesting barley cultivar, cv. ANA 01 were evaluated. The coexistence periods and/or control were: 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 120 days after barley emergence (DAE). In experiment 2the treatments for determination of ETLs were composed by barley cultivars (BRS Suábia, ANA 01, BRS Korbel, BRS Manduri, BRS Cauê and BRS Greta), and turnip densities, from zero (0) to maximum densities of 816, 788, 948, 394, 584 and 618 plants · m−2, in competition with each cultivar. Control of turnip and ryegrass should be adopted in barley in the period between 12 to 22 DAE, which is described as a critical control period. The rectangular hyperbola adequately estimates losses in grain yield due to turnip infestation. There is an effect on the competitive ability of the cultivars in relation to turnip, which resulted in ETLs that ranged from 0.27 to 1.99 plants · m−2. The cultivars BRS Greta, BRS Suábia, ANA 01 and BRS Manduri were the most competitive in the presence of turnip.

The fumigant pesticide methyl bromide (MB) is no longer used in most countries due to its carcinogenic effects. It is followed by carbon bisulfide and chloropicrin which are the most effective liquid synthetic chemicals in pesticide formulations. They are converted to gas to penetrate soil particles and eliminate plant pests such as insects, weeds, and causal plant diseases of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and nematodes under greenhouse, field and storage conditions. These fumigants are non specific pesticides and highly hazardous to humans, environmental resources, and deplete the ozone layers. Furthermore, increasing the cost of crop production by inceasing the amount of pesticides treatments was increased the cost of research on the alternatives of green pesticides from eco-friendly agents, natural organic soil amendments of organic wastes, green manure, biofumigation crops, compost, and essential oils, as well as formulations, are examples of this. Organic fumigants that are non toxic, non-residual, highly degradable and decomposable are available as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides to manage soil borne pests and diseases of plants. This article summarizes the development of applicable eco-friendly formulations which use natural organic materials to disinfest soil in order to reduce plant diseases caused by soil- -borne pathogens.