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Although healthy plants are vital to human and animal health, plant health is often overlooked in the One Health literature. Plants provide over 80% of the food consumed by humans and are the primary source of nutrition for livestock. However, plant diseases and pests often threaten the availability and safety of plants for human and animal consumption. Global yield losses of important staple crops can range up to 30% and hundreds of billions of dollars in lost food production. To demonstrate the complex interrelationships between plants and public health, we present four case studies on plant health issues directly tied to food safety and/or security, and how a One Health approach influences the perception and mitigation of these issues. Plant pathogens affect food availability and consequently food security through reductions in yield and plant mortality as shown through the first case study of banana Xanthomonas wilt in East and Central Africa. Case studies 2, 3 and 4 highlight ways in which the safety of plant-based foods can also be compromised. Case study 2 describes the role of mycotoxin-producing plant-colonizing fungi in human and animal disease and examines lessons learned from outbreaks of aflatoxicosis in Kenya. Plants may also serve as vectors of human pathogens as seen in case study 3, with an example of Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination of lettuce in North America. Finally, case study 4 focuses on the use of pesticides in Suriname, a complex issue intimately tied to food security though protection of crops from diseases and pests, while also a food safety issue through misuse. These cases from around the world in low to high income countries point to the need for interdisciplinary teams to solve complex plant health problems. Through these case studies, we examine challenges and opportunities moving forward for mitigating negative public health consequences and ensuring health equity. Advances in surveillance technology and functional and streamlined workflow, from data collection, analyses, risk assessment, reporting, and information sharing are needed to improve the response to emergence and spread of plant-related pathogens and pests. Our case studies point to the importance of collaboration in responses to plant health issues that may become public health emergencies and the value of the One Health approach in ensuring food safety and food security for the global population.

Fungi constitute a diverse group with highly positive and negative impacts in different environments, having several natural roles and beneficial applications in human life, but also causing several concerns. Fungi can affect human health directly, but also indirectly by being detrimental for animal and plant health, influencing food safety and security. Climate changes are also affecting fungal distribution, prevalence, and their impact on different settings. Searching for sustainable solutions to deal with these issues is challenging due to the complex interactions among fungi and agricultural and forestry plants, animal production, environment, and human and animal health. In this way, the “One Health” approach may be useful to obtain some answers since it recognizes that human health is closely connected to animal and plant health, as well as to the shared environment. This review aims to explore and correlate each of those factors influencing human health in this “One Health” perspective. Thus, the impact of fungi on plants, human, and animal health, and the role of the environment as an influencing factor on these elements are discussed.

Plant health is closely related to microbial communities present in specific host increasingly challenged by pathogen attack. Soil-borne diseases cause an imbalance of the already colonized plant rhizosphere microbial community, resulting in restricting agricultural production. In this study, tobacco black shank (TBS), caused by Phytophthora nicotianae was used as a disease model to explore the impact of rhizosphere microorganisms on tobacco health and assessed the use of introduced microbes to mitigate the spread of disease in an environment-friendly way. Here, field investigation confirmed that the higher pathogen load in the field was directly proportional to the higher disease index. We isolated 223 strains of bacteria from the tobacco rhizosphere soil in Yuxi City, Yunnan, China and confirmed eight candidate strains with potential antagonism against P. nicotianae. The strains were further identified as Bacillus based on morphology, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and molecular analysis. Under field conditions, sterilized and non-sterilized rhizospheric soil showed significant differences in terms of pathogen growth. Our results indicated potential bacteria in the tobacco rhizosphere have a protective effect against TBS. Notably, eight potential Bacillus strains and simple synthetic microbial consortium as the antagonistic group could reduce the number of the pathogen in soil effectively and resist the TBS in the greenhouse. P. nicotianae and rhizosphere antagonists co-affect tobacco health, and proved that potential microbes could effectively reduce a load of P. nicotianae and control plant diseases in an ecological friendly way for plant health and protection.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Dendrolimus punctatus (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), following a commodity risk assessment of bonsai Pinus parviflora grafted onto P. thunbergii from China, in which D. punctatus was identified as a pest of possible concern to the European Union (EU). D. punctatus, also known as the Masson pine caterpillar, is present in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, India and has recently spread to Japanese islands close to Taiwan. Larval feeding on the needles of Pinus elliottii, P. luchuensis, P. massoniana, P. merkusii and P. tabulaeformis causes important damage. D. punctatus larvae can also feed on P. armandii, P. echinata, P. latteri, P. parviflora, P. sylvestris var. mongolica, P. taeda, P. taiwanensis and P. thunbergii, but full development on these hosts is uncertain. The pest has three to five generations per year; winter is spent as larvae on branch tips, on tree trunks and in the soil. The females lay egg clusters on pine needles. Pupation occurs in cocoons attached to branches or needles. D. punctatus could enter the EU either as eggs, larvae or pupae in the foliage of plants for planting or cut branches, as larvae on wood with bark or as overwintering larvae in branches, crevices in the bark or in the litter of potted plants. However, Annex VI of 2019/2072 prohibits the introduction of D. punctatus hosts (Pinus spp.) from countries and areas where the pest occurs. There are climate zones where the pest occurs in Asia that also occur in the EU, though they are limited, which constitutes an uncertainty regarding establishment. The pest's main hosts are not grown in the EU. However, the fact that it attacks the North American Pinus echinata, P. elliottii and P. taeda in its Asian native area suggests a potential capacity to shift to pine species occurring in the EU territory. D. punctatus satisfies all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. Whether the Pinus commonly found in Europe could act as hosts is unknown but is fundamental, affecting the criteria of establishment and magnitude of impact.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Lepidosaphes malicola (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), the Armenian mussel scale, for the territory of the European Union, following commodity risk assessments of Prunus persica and P. dulcis plants for planting from Türkiye, in which L. malicola was identified as a pest of possible concern. L. malicola is a polyphagous insect of temperate and arid areas, feeding on more than 60 plant species belonging to 26 families. Important crops significantly affected by L. malicola in parts of Asia include stone fruits (Prunus armeniaca, P. persica), pome fruits (Malus domestica, Pyrus communis), grapes (Vitis vinifera), pomegranate (Punica granatum), walnuts (Juglans regia) and ornamental plants (Berberis spp., Cornus spp., Jasminum spp., Ligustrum spp.). L. malicola has two generations annually. The overwintered eggs hatch from late May to early June. First‐instar nymphs crawl on the host plant for a short period, then settle to feed. Nymphs reach maturity in late summer or early autumn. Plants for planting, fruits and cut flowers provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. Host availability and climate suitability suggest that southern, central and some parts of northern EU countries would be suitable for the establishment of L. malicola. Despite being a pest in Armenia, Iran and Tajikistan, there is no evidence of it being a pest in Türkiye. L. malicola was detected in Bulgaria and Greece over 30 years ago, but there have been no records since, and its status is uncertain. Its ability to cause an impact in the EU is also uncertain. It is not listed in Annex II of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry. Except for the criterion of having an economic or environmental impact, for which there is great uncertainty, L. malicola satisfies all other criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as ‘High risk plants, plant products and other objects’. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by plants of the evergreen Ligustrum ovalifolium and the semi‐evergreen Ligustrum vulgare imported from the United Kingdom (UK) as: (a) bare root plants and (b) plants in pots, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the UK. The category (a) ‘bare root plants’ includes bundles of 1‐ to 3‐year‐old bare root whips or transplants and single 1‐ to 7‐year‐old bare root plants. The category (b) ‘plants in pots’ includes bundles of 1‐ to 2‐year‐old cell grown plants (only L. vulgare) and 1‐ to 5‐year‐old plants in pots. All pests associated with the commodities were evaluated against specific criteria for their relevance for this opinion. Two EU quarantine pests, Bemisia tabaci and Scirtothrips dorsalis, and one pest not regulated in the EU, Diaprepes abbreviatus, fulfilled all relevant criteria and were selected for further evaluation. For the selected pests, the risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from the UK were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. For these pests, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom considering the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. In the assessment of risk, the age of the plants was considered, reasoning that older trees are more likely to be infested mainly due to longer exposure time and larger size. The degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with B. tabaci being the pest most frequently expected on the imported plants. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated with 95% certainty that between 9915 and 10,000 per 10,000 bare root plants and plants in pots will be free from B. tabaci.

Abstract The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as ‘high risk plants, plant products and other objects’. Taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the applicant country, this Scientific Opinion covers the plant health risks posed by the following commodities: Cornus alba and Cornus sanguinea bare‐root plants and rooted plants in pots up to 7 years old imported into the EU from the UK. A list of pests potentially associated with the commodities was compiled. The relevance of any pest was assessed based on evidence following defined criteria. Four EU quarantine pests (Meloidogyne fallax, Phytophthora ramorum (non‐EU isolates), tobacco ringspot virus, and tomato ringspot virus) and one EU non‐regulated pest (Discula destructiva), were selected for further evaluation. For the selected pests, the risk mitigation measures implemented in the technical dossier from the UK were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. For these pests, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. The degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with P. ramorum being the pest most frequently expected on the imported C. alba and C. sanguinea plants. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty, that between 9823 and 10,000 bare‐root C. alba and C. sanguinea plants per 10,000 will be free from P. ramorum.

Abstract Grapevine is one of the most important perennial fruit crops worldwide. Historically, vineyards were compatible with soil conservation practices and multitrophic biodiversity, but vineyards are now generally eroded and biologically impoverished, making them more susceptible to pests and diseases. However, the idiosyncrasy of the wine sector places wine growers in a unique position to lead the adoption of a range of sustainable management strategies and, thus, to pioneer a wider transformation of the agricultural sector. In this article, we provide an overview of nature‐based management strategies that may be used for the regeneration of the functioning and biodiversity of vineyards and that may also lead to improved plant nutrition, grape berry quality and the suppression of pathogens and pests. These strategies include the use of microbial and nonmicrobial biostimulants, fertilization with organic amendments as well as foliar fertilization with nature‐based products, the use of cover crops and the reintegration of livestock in vineyards, especially sheep. We will also pay special attention to the implementation of circular economy in the vineyard in relation to the previously mentioned management strategies and will also discuss the importance of considering all these aspects from a holistic and integrative perspective, rather than taking them into account as single factors. Assuming the integral role of soils in the functioning of agroecosystems, soils will be considered transversally across all sections. Finally, we will argue that the time is now ripe for innovation from the public and private sectors to contribute to the sustainable management of vineyards while maintaining, or even improving, the profit margin for farmers and winemakers.

The Plumbago Zeylanica (Chitrak) Leaf Image Dataset is a valuable resource for botanical studies, herbal medicine research, and environmental analyses. Comprising a total of 10,660 high-resolution leaf images, the dataset is meticulously categorized into three distinct classes: Unhealthy leaves (3343 images), Healthy leaves (5288 images), and Dried leaves (2029 images). These images were captured from the medicinal plant Chitrak, a species of paramount importance in traditional medicine and environmental contexts. Researchers and practitioners can benefit from this dataset's richness in terms of both quantity and quality, using it to develop and test algorithms for leaf classification and health assessment. The Chitrak leaf image dataset holds the potential to foster innovative investigations and applications within the domains of botany, medicine, and environmental sciences.

Abstract The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as ‘High risk plants, plant products and other objects’. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by plants of Corylus avellana imported from the United Kingdom (UK) as: (a) bundles of 1‐ to 2‐year old whips or transplants, (b) bundles of 1‐ to 2‐year old cell grown plants, (c) 1‐ to 7‐year old bare root single plants and (d) up to 15‐year old single plants in pots, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the UK. All pests associated with the commodity were evaluated against specific criteria for their relevance for this opinion. Two EU quarantine pests, Phytophthora ramorum (non‐EU isolates) and Thaumetopoea processionea fulfilled all relevant criteria and were selected for further evaluation. For the selected pests, the risk mitigation measures implemented in the technical dossier from the UK were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. For these pests an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. In the assessment of risk, the age of the plants was considered, reasoning that older trees are more likely to be infested mainly due to longer exposure time and larger size. The degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with P. ramorum being the pest most frequently expected on the imported plants. The expert knowledge elicitation indicated with 95% certainty that between 9939 and 10,000 of the single plants in pots up to 15‐year old will be free from P. ramorum (non‐EU isolates).

Abstract The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to evaluate the probability of entry of pests (likelihood of pest freedom at entry), including both, regulated and non‐regulated pests, associated with unrooted cuttings of the genera Petunia and Calibrachoa produced under physical isolation in Guatemala. The relevance of any pest for this opinion was based on evidence following defined criteria, based on the methodology used for high‐risk plants adapted for the specificity of this assessment. Twenty EU regulated pests (Bemisia tabaci, pepper golden mosaic virus, pepper huasteco yellow vein virus, squash leaf curl virus, tomato severe leaf curl virus, tomato yellow leaf curl virus, tomato spotted wilt virus, Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza sativae, Liriomyza trifolii, Bactericera cockerelli, Eotetranychus lewisi, Epitrix subcrinita, Epitrix cucumeris, Helicoverpa zea, Chloridea virescens, Spodoptera ornithogalli, Ralstonia solanacearum, Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum, Xanthomonas vesicatoria) and one EU non‐regulated (Phenacoccus solenopsis) pest fulfilled all relevant criteria and were selected for further evaluation. For these pests, the risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Guatemala were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors, and an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. The limited and partially conflicting information provided in the dossier contributes to the wide estimates of pest freedom. The estimated degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with Ralstonia spp. (R. solanacearum and R. pseudosolanacearum) being the pest most frequently expected on the imported cuttings. The expert knowledge elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty, that between 9916 and 10,000 bags containing unrooted cuttings per 10,000 would be free of Ralstonia spp.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Malacosoma parallela (Staudinger) (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) for the territory of the European Union, following commodity risk assessments of Berberis thunbergii, Malus domestica, Prunus persica and P. dulcis plants for planting from Türkiye, in which M. parallela came to attention as of possible concern. M. parallela is commonly known as the mountain ring silk moth and is a polyphagous leaf‐eating pest in west‐central Asia, primarily feeding on deciduous trees and shrubs, and known to cause serious damage to Malus, Prunus, and Quercus species. It is found at a range of altitudes from 130 m to 3000 m although most common above 1000 m. It is a univoltine species. Eggs are laid in masses on twigs and branches in the summer and larvae hatch the following spring to feed on buds and fresh leaves. Host plants can be completely defoliated. Plants for planting and cut branches provide pathways for entry, especially if infested with egg masses. Host availability and climate suitability suggest that parts of the EU would be suitable for establishment. Adults can fly and the pest could spread naturally within the EU although adults only live for a few days. Faster and more extensive spread is therefore more likely via egg masses moved on plants for planting. The introduction of M. parallela into the EU could lead to outbreaks causing damage to deciduous trees and shrubs in forests and orchards. Phytosanitary measures are available to inhibit the entry and spread of this species. M. parallela satisfies all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

IntroductionVerticillium wilt is the most devastating soil-borne disease affecting Cotinus coggygria in the progress of urban landscape construction in China.MethodsTo assess the variability of the rhizosphere-associated soil microbiome in response to Verticillium wilt occurrence, we investigated the microbial diversity, taxonomic composition, biomarker species, and co-occurrence network of the rhizosphere-associated soil in Verticillium wilt-affected C. coggygria using Illumina sequencing.ResultsThe alpha diversity indices of the rhizosphere bacteria in Verticillium wilt-affected plants showed no significant variability compared with those in healthy plants, except for a moderate increase in the Shannon and Invsimpson indices, while the fungal alpha diversity indices were significantly decreased. The abundance of certain dominant or crucial microbial taxa, such as Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Streptomyces, and Trichoderma, displayed significant variations among different soil samples. The bacterial and fungal community structures exhibited distinct variability, as evidenced by the Bray–Curtis dissimilarity matrices. Co-occurrence networks unveiled intricate interactions within the microbial community of Verticillium wilt-affected C. coggygria, with greater edge numbers and higher network density. The phenomenon was more evident in the fungal community, showing increased positive interaction, which may be associated with the aggravation of Verticillium wilt with the aid of Fusarium. The proportions of bacteria involved in membrane transport and second metabolite biosynthesis functions were significantly enriched in the diseased rhizosphere soil samples.DiscussionThese findings suggested that healthy C. coggygria harbored an obviously higher abundance of beneficial microbial consortia, such as Bacillus, while Verticillium wilt-affected plants may recruit antagonistic members such as Streptomyces in response to Verticillium dahliae infection. This study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the soil micro-ecological mechanism of Verticillium wilt occurrence, which may be helpful in the prevention and control of the disease in C. coggygria from the microbiome perspective.

The natural sciences are receiving increasing attention in the Global South. This timely development may help mitigate global change and quicken an envisioned food system transformation. Yet in order to resolve complex issues such as agrochemical pollution, science ideally proceeds along suitable trajectories within appropriate institutional contexts. Here, we employ a systematic literature review to map the nature of inquiry and institutional context of pest management science in 65 low- and middle-income countries published from 2010 to 2020. Despite large inter-country variability, any given country generates an average of 5.9 publications per annum (range 0–45.9) and individual nations such as Brazil, Kenya, Benin, Vietnam, and Turkey engage extensively in regional cooperation. International development partners are prominent scientific actors in West Africa but are commonly outpaced by national institutions and foreign academia in other regions. Transnational institutions such as the CGIAR represent a 1.4-fold higher share of studies on host plant resistance but lag in public interest science disciplines such as biological control. Despite high levels of scientific abstraction, research conducted jointly with development partners shows real yet marginal improvements in incorporating the multiple (social–ecological) layers of the farming system. Added emphasis on integrative system-level approaches and agroecological or biodiversity-driven measures can extend the reach of science to unlock transformative change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plant probiotics bacteria are live microbes that promote soil health and plant growth and build the stress-tolerant capacity to the plants. They benefit the plants by increasing nutrient absorption and release of stress-related phytohormones. These plant probiotic bacteria serve a better purpose to the plant when compared to chemical fertilizers. Use of chemical fertilizers such as arsenic and cadmium can lead to soil acidification and even release of harmful gases such as methane which further pollutes the environment. Results: Different bacterial species were isolated from the agricultural fields of Tattiannaram, Telangana, and identified as the efficient rhizosphere bacteria with the essential qualities of plant growth promotion by evaluating the nitrogen-fixing ability on a selective media and various other methods. Upon the molecular characterization of the isolates, they were identified as Corynebacterium spp., Bacillus spp., Lactobacillus spp., and Cytobacillus spp. The results were also examined using various bioinformatics tools for accuracy in their phylogenetic pattern. Conclusion: The recognized species of plant probiotics have established roles in promoting plant growth and strengthening plant immunity. This research introduces an innovative methodology for evaluating and investigating recently identified bacterial isolates, focusing on their distinctive plant probiotic attributes. Through harnessing the potential of advantageous microorganisms and comprehending their interaction with plants and soil, our objective is to formulate inventive approaches to elevate crop productivity, enhance soil richness, and foster environmentally sustainable and robust agricultural methodologies. These characteristics exhibit promising potential for future incorporation into plant systems, fortifying growth and development, and underscoring their distinctive significance within the realm of agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review highlights the potential of vermicompost and its derived products as sustainable and eco-friendly solutions for enhancing production and pest management in grain crops. It assesses their impact comprehensively on crops such as maize, wheat, barley, rice, and pearl millet. Vermicompost improves soil quality, increases nutrient availability, boosts crop productivity, and enhances pest and disease tolerance. It acts as an organic fertilizer, enriching the soil with essential nutrients, humic acids, growth-regulating hormones, and enzymes, improving plant nutrition, photosynthesis, and overall crop quality. Furthermore, vermicompost shows promise in mitigating soil degradation and sequestering organic carbon while demonstrating the potential for pest management, including effectiveness against pests like fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). This review emphasizes the importance of integrated nutrient management and proper application strategies to maximize the benefits of vermicompost in grain crops. Factors such as the form and timing of application, efficacy against specific pests, and economic viability for different farming scales are discussed. Understanding these factors is crucial for successfully implementing and adopting vermicompost-based pest management strategies in grain crops. This review also explores the potential of vermicomposting as an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution to remediate organic contaminants, emerging contaminants, personal-care and pharmaceutical products, and microplastics. The review further identifies knowledge gaps and highlights the need for future studies to effectively utilize vermicompost and its derived products in cereal production for sustainable agriculture, contributing to global food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) are major economic pests and are among the world's most invasive species. Most armoured scale insect pests are invasive and with increased international trade, these concealed and cryptic pests pose a serious threat to the world agricultural economy causing economic losses in the US to be as high as $1 billion annually. Aulacaspis Cockerell is one of the largest genera of armoured scale insects with 151 species known worldwide, and 23 species from India. Five species of Aulacaspis are associated with Cycas spp. throughout the world. Through this correspondence, we report the occurrence and severe infestation of A. maduinensis (Zehntner) on C. circinalis from India, though it has been reported to infest other species of Cycas from elsewhere. We provide information about nature and extent of damage, field and taxonomic diagnostic characters which will be helpful in quick diagnosis of the pest, monitoring its spread to different geographical areas, and generation of awareness about the pest species to avoid further economic loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cadmium (Cd) toxicity significantly hindered horticultural plant growth and development. • Phytohormones mitigate Cd toxicity in plants. • Phytohormones regulate antioxidant defense system in plants. • Phytohormones upregulate secondary metabolites production in plants. Cadmium (Cd) is an extremely toxic heavy metal (HM) that poses significant threats to the growth and development of horticultural plants. The accumulation of Cd in plants can occur through root uptake or foliar absorption, leading to disturbances in various physiological and biochemical functions. Cd toxicity manifests in horticultural plants through several symptoms, including inhibited growth, chlorosis, necrosis, impaired photosynthesis, and disruptions in nutrient uptake and metabolism. Cd toxicity disrupt crucial metabolic function in plants including oxidative damage, DNA damage, and altering antioxidant enzyme activity. To mitigate the toxic effects of Cd in horticultural plants, a comprehensive approach is required. This approach encompasses various strategies, including effective management practices, utilization of phytohormones and traditional plant growth regulators, and the cultivation of Cd-tolerant cultivars. Implementing these measures has demonstrated promising outcomes in reducing Cd toxicity in horticultural plants. This review sheds light on the potential roles of different stress mitigants in alleviating Cd toxicity in horticultural plants. By employing these strategies, researchers and practitioners can contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient horticultural systems, ensuring the health and productivity of plants in the presence of Cd contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main challenges facing developing countries is an ever-increasing gap between population growth and food supply. Diseases, insects, and weeds decrease the production of crops worldwide by 36%. Hence, control of crop pests contributes to increased crop production. Organic amendments to the soil have direct impacts on crop productivity and plant health as it enhances soil fertility, water, and nutrient retention and plant disease defense mechanisms. Biochar is an important organic amendment. It is produced by the pyrolysis process, whereby organic substances are broken down at higher temperatures in low oxygen conditions. Biohar improved soil nutrient availability and water retention capacity, and induced plant resistance against broad ranges of plant pathogenic organisms including fungi, nematodes, and bacteria. Biochar soil amendment also enhances root-associated microbes such as flavobacterium and arbuscular mycorrhizae. Biochar amendments can increase soil essential nutrients for crop productivity and suppress plant pathogens. Suppression of plant pathogens is attributed to the stimulation of beneficial soil microbes, providing nutrients, and inducing plant defense. The objectives of the review are to depict the importance of biochar soil amendment on crop performance, disease resistance, and soil properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following an EFSA commodity risk assessment of bonsai plants (Pinus parviflora grafted on Pinus thunbergii) imported from China, the EFSA Plant Health Panel performed a pest categorisation of Pestalotiopsis microspora, a clearly defined plant pathogenic fungus of the family Pestalotiopsidaceae. The pathogen was reported on a wide range of monocotyledonous, dicotyledonous and gymnosperms, either cultivated or wild plant species, causing various symptoms such as leaf spot, leaf blight, scabby canker, fruit spot, pre‐ and post‐harvest fruit rot and root rot. In addition, the fungus was reported as an endophyte on a wide range of asymptomatic plant species. This pest categorisation focuses on the hosts that are relevant for the EU and for which there is robust evidence that the pathogen was formally identified by a combination of morphology, pathogenicity and multilocus sequencing analyses. Pestalotiopsis microspora was reported in Africa, North, Central and South America, Asia and Oceania. In the EU, it was reported in the Netherlands. There is a key uncertainty on the geographical distribution of P. microspora worldwide and in the EU, because of the endophytic nature of the fungus, the lack of surveys, and because in the past, when molecular tools were not fully developed, the pathogen might have been misidentified as other Pestalotiopsis species or other members of the Pestalodiopsidaceae family based on morphology and pathogenicity tests. Pestalotiopsis microspora is not included in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. Plants for planting, fresh fruits, bark and wood of host plants as well as soil and other growing media associated with plant debris are the main pathways for the entry of the pathogen into the EU. Host availability and climate suitability in parts of the EU are favourable for the establishment and spread of the pathogen. The introduction and spread of the pathogen into the EU are expected to have an economic and environmental impact where susceptible hosts are grown. Phytosanitary measures are available to prevent the introduction and spread of the pathogen into the EU. Unless the restricted distribution in the EU is disproven, Pestalotiopsis microspora satisfies all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this species to be regarded as potential Union quarantine pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The hilly areas of Uttarakhand embraces a large heirloom awareness of traditional medicinal plants. In Uttarakhand, medical facilities are very less in number. Due to unavailability of modern health facilities, poverty, connectivity with urban centre, awareness, etc people in hilly and rural areas are still depend on traditional medicines for their health care. Some of the communities are using wild plant parts for healthcare. Methods: Thus, a study was conducted to document the ethno-medicinal plants used traditionally in Munsyari tehsil of Pithoragadh District of Uttarakhand. Out of 219 villages under tehsil Munsyari, total five villages viz; Basari, Chhija, Diya Palla, Kheta, Kutima were selected purposively. Participatory Rural Appraisal, Group Discussion techniques were used to document the medicinal plants. Result: These medicinal plants are highly valuable and appropriate for economic upliftment of the region. People are dependent upon food, fruits, fodder and medicinal plants for their healthcare. Hilly people use these traditionally available medicinal plants for health and believe that these are easily available, less expensive and have no side effects as compare to modern medicine. Present scenario as deforestation, tourism affects medicinal plants. Thus, conservation of these species is necessary. Proper policies should be needed to conserve the forests and medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management of Phytophthora in commercial plant nurseries is important for biosecurity of traded plants, and monitoring of incidence of this important plant pathogen is a prerequisite to prevent its spread. Potted plants showing Phytophthora spp. symptoms, and nursery irrigation and runoff water, were sampled from a commercial and a non-commercial nursery in Tuscany, Italy. The samples were processed to detect Phytophthora spp., using baiting, and molecular identification of obtained isolates. High Phytophthora incidence was shown in the commercial nursery. Twelve Phytophthora spp. were isolated from potted plants or nursery runoff water. Individual symptomatic potted plants were infected with up to four pathogenic Phytophthora spp. The water sampled from nursery drainage canals had the greatest Phytophthora species diversity, with less diversity in 'flow-through' water samples (irrigation water percolated through potted plants) and samples from water puddles inside the nurseries. This study showed high incidence of Phytophthora in the commercial nursery, and associated risk of spread of these pathogens within and outside nursery operations. Lack of appropriate disease management probably increases occurrence of these pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing industrialization the amount of effluents from various industries has increased enormously. Wastewater reuse can be a significant strategy to counteract the critical situation of scarcity of fresh water. Use of these effluents for irrigation can also play a significant role as irrigation activities consume a large fraction of freshwater. However the impact of effluent irrigation practices on plant health requires utmost attention. The present research investigation was executed with the aim to assess the impact of sugar mill effluent irrigation on various plant growth and biochemical characteristics as farmers in the selected area are dependent on waste water from the sugar mill for their irrigation activities. The study concludes the scaling impact of nutrients in wastewater irrigation on various metabolic processes of crop plants. Probably micro-nutrient supply by wastewater in soils could be effective in enhancing plant productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides have been an integral part of modern agriculture as their use ensures good harvests. However, excessive use of pesticides in the last few decades has caused significant environmental degradation. Moreover, excessive use of pesticides causes stress on crops and non-target plants and exhibits toxicity to other organisms including mammals, microbes, and insects. Plants employ various morphological, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms to reduce pesticides toxicity. One such mechanism is production of secondary metabolites that improves stress tolerance of plants. In addition, recent studies have also highlighted a potential role of plasma technology in mitigating various abiotic and biotic environmental stresses. Besides, plasma treatment improves seed germination, physiological processes, and seedling establishment during the early growth stages of a plant under adverse and non-adverse conditions and thus can be used an alternate to the pesticide treatment. This review article summarizes recent advancements in understanding the synthesis, accumulation, and transportation of secondary metabolites which have significant relevance to crop improvement programs. We also present an overview of the effects of plasma treatment on phytopathogenic bacterial cell suspensions and plant responses to metabolic activity. In the future, researchers need to develop innovative ideas to reduce the use of chemical pesticides in farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early detection and efficient management practices to control Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) infestation is crucial for safeguarding tomato production yield and minimizing economic losses. This study investigates the detection of T. absoluta infestation on tomato plants using object detection models combined with ensemble techniques. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of utilizing a dataset captured in real settings in open-field and greenhouse environments to address the complexity of real-life challenges in object detection of plant health scenarios. The effectiveness of deep-learning-based models, including Faster R-CNN and RetinaNet, was evaluated in terms of detecting T. absoluta damage. The initial model evaluations revealed diminishing performance levels across various model configurations, including different backbones and heads. To enhance detection predictions and improve mean Average Precision (mAP) scores, ensemble techniques were applied such as Non-Maximum Suppression (NMS), Soft Non-Maximum Suppression (Soft NMS), Non-Maximum Weighted (NMW), and Weighted Boxes Fusion (WBF). The outcomes shown that the WBF technique significantly improved the mAP scores, resulting in a 20% improvement from 0.58 (max mAP from individual models) to 0.70. The results of this study contribute to the field of agricultural pest detection by emphasizing the potential of deep learning and ensemble techniques in improving the accuracy and reliability of object detection models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current agriculture faces the challenge of producing food with the least interference from the environment. In this sense, the implementation of ecological agricultural practices is essential to obtaining healthy and more sustainable production systems. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of different inoculation technologies on formulations of bokashi-type biofertilizer and its application as soil and substrate organic amendment. We examined the effects of treatments on the chemical and biological quality of the evaluated formulations, as well as their influence on the agronomic and nutritional characteristics of red-beet and cabbage crops in the field. The metagenomic analysis of the taxonomic profile of the microbiological populations revealed relative abundance of plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial genera, including Azospirillum sp., Rhizobium sp., Bradyrhizobium sp., Burkholderia sp., Paraburkholderia sp., and Paenibacillus sp. in the evaluated formulations. Additionally, no phytopathogenic contaminants were detected among the investigated treatments. The highest yields of field-grown beet crops were obtained from seedlings produced using the following treatments: bokashi biofertilizer + biodynamic preparations P502-P507, bokashi + Chamomilla 12 CH, and bokashi + Carbo vegetabilis 12 CH. The increase in productivity of cabbage plants was higher in the treatment bokashi + Calcarea carbonica 12 CH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three promising yeast isolates were isolated from the sap of the Indian date palm tree (Phoenix sylvestris) and characterized by biochemical tests and 18S rRNA gene sequencing. They were confirmed as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and were designated as strains PYS-1, PYS-2, and PYS-3. These confirmed strains were used for the preparation of bioinoculants. Bioinoculant was prepared and applied to wheat crops, and the effect of Bioinoculant. Statistical analysis is carried out using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and it is found that the absorbance of chlorophyll, protein, and Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) content is significantly increased. The treatment of bioinoculant showed that crops significantly increased chlorophyll, protein, and IAA content. Further, we applied bioinoculant on the soil and measured the soil’s humus content before and after the treatment of bioinoculant. Then, a paired t-test was applied to check the effectiveness of the treatment, and it was found to significantly increase humus content in the soil. The use of bioinoculants is an economically feasible and eco-friendly method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoestrogens are xenoestrogens found in plants with a myriad of health benefits. However, various studies reported the genotoxic effects of these substances. Thus, we reviewed in vitro and in vivo studies published in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to evaluate the genotoxic and the genoprotective potential of phytoestrogens. Only studies written in English and intended to study commercially available phytoestrogens were included. The screening was performed manually. Moreover, the underlying mechanism of action of phytoestrogens was described. Around half of those studies (43%) reported genoprotective results. However, several studies revealed positive results for genotoxicity with specific model organisms and with dose/concentration dependence. The assessment of the selected articles showed substantial differences in the used concentrations and a biphasic response was recorded in some phytoestrogens. As far as we know, this is the first study to assess the genotoxic and genoprotective effects of phytoestrogens systematically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To ensure a high level of public health and environmental protection, authorities that deliver scientific expertise to inform decision-makers and the public at large need to be independent from external stakeholders and free of conflicts of interest. This independence requires effective rules for managing links of interest (LoIs) and a high level of transparency, including publication of declarations of interest (DoIs) where appropriate. In the particular case of plant protection products (PPPs) within the European Union, these requirements should apply to all Competent Authorities contributing to the marketing authorization processes. Methods: A comparative analysis of LoIs management procedures was performed on a selection of ten National Competent Authorities from different member states (NCAs). This analysis was based on (i) the identification of 17 criteria aiming at characterizing good practices for LoIs management; (ii) a survey of ten NCAs, based on an analysis of their institutional websites and their responses to official mail requests. Results: The comparative analysis showed: (i) a frequent lack of transparency of NCAs regarding their procedures for managing LoIs; (ii) a significant heterogeneity between the NCAs' LoIs management rules, even though they are in charge of comparable missions regarding the marketing of PPPs; (iii) substantial gaps between the LoIs management procedures adopted by several NCAs and the good practices that are promoted by EFSA. Current limits on their practices regarding LoIs management might open ways for undue external influences on scientific expertise, and ultimately impact negatively the risk management options adopted by national or European authorities. Limitations of this study and its extension for a more thorough overview of the current LoIs management practices are also discussed. Conclusions: LoIs management and transparency rules need to be improved across NCAs, given their contribution as (co-)rapporteurs or peer reviews participants to the health and environmental risk assessment steps of the EFSA processes. To this end, a common minimum set of rules should be defined by EFSA; recommendations are proposed, based on the best practices implemented by the investigated NCAs. Such progress would contribute promoting high-quality unbiased scientific expertise and enhance EU citizens' trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium is an essential nutrient when consumed within safe limits. The toxicity risks are associated with inorganic forms of selenium such as selenite and selenate. This has led to a shift in its convention usage form from inorganic selenite and selenate to selenium nanoparticles or SeNPs. SeNPs are being extensively explored for their positive impacts in fields including agriculture and human health. The new agronomic era has led to the development of various nano-formulations to enhance plant vigor, yield, product quality, shelf life and nutritional status. SeNPs vitally act as immune-booster, antioxidant, antimicrobial, metabolome controllers, bio-assimilators and bio-stimulants for plant health. The recent studies establish the role of SeNPs in the eradication of pre-harvest challenges like high temperature and salinity stress, heavy metal toxicity, pest and microbial attack and metabolic dysfunction. SeNPs also have the ability to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), making them indispensable part of post-harvest management technologies. The functionalization and fabrication of SeNPs into packaging films has been exclusively studied to enhance shelf life, preserve nutritional composition and freshness of processed food products. The review focuses on recent methodologies for SeNP synthesis and their applications in agricultural practices along with detailed explanations of application methods, uptake and transport mechanisms within the plant system, dosage toxicity and crop health management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Industries increase contamination of a broad range of pollutants in the environment. • Chromium exerts a direct effect on growth and biochemical parameters in plant health. • Chromium pollution of soil imparts adverse effects on human health through food chain. • Pollution of chromium can be abated through the use of plants and microbes. Nature holds everything in the universe. Any change to its constituents i.e., soil, water, and air, imposes serious consequences on the life it holds. An adaption to modernized technologies often progresses with the introduction of harmful contaminants such as heavy metals into the environment. Heavy metals not only threaten the ecosystem but contributes tremendously to health adversaries among inhabiting human population. Being recalcitrant, its release from industries perturbs the ecological balance and as such manifests serious consequences on the growth and development of plants. It employs carriers of essential ions for uptake at the root surface followed by translocation to aerial parts of the plant and subsequent accumulation imparts severe toxicity to plants. It evokes serious perturbations to plant health via, modification to morphological and physiological features, and alteration of the biochemical parameters through enhancement in the production of reactive oxidative and nitrogen species. Interference with the growth parameters of plants proceeds with their complexation to organic moieties for compartmentalization in vacuole or enhancement in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The present study covers information on the uptake, transport, and distribution along with its toxicity in the plant system, and remediation strategies for adaptation towards the restoration of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The quality of life of a person and her sexual partner is impacted by sexual function. Sexual function disorders have a significant prevalence in society. There are different treatments for sexual disorders, including herbal therapies. Objective: This study aimed to do a comparison of phytoestrogens and non-phytoestrogens medicinal plant's effects on sexual health in pre- and postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to identify relevant articles in electronic databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and SID for English- and Persian-language articles published up to December 2021. The Cochrane collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Results: Of 5428 records retrieved by searching the databases, after removing duplicate and irrelevant articles, 39 articles were included based on the inclusion criteria in the study. Finally, 18 articles with 1299 participants were included in the meta-analysis. 18 randomized clinical trial studies of phytoestrogens (n = 13) and non-phytoestrogens (n = 5) plants that used the female sexual function index questionnaire and reported the mean difference (MD) and standard deviation were included in the meta-analysis. The effects of phytoestrogens and non-phytoestrogens plants on the sexual health of postmenopausal women appear to differ significantly from one another, according to the meta-analysis (MD = 7.59; 95% CI = 4.56-10.60 and MD = 3.19; 95% CI = 1.25-5.13, respectively) but this difference was not observed in premenopausal women. Conclusion: The effect of phytoestrogens plants is more in menopausal women, and they can be advised to use these herbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Lepidosaphes pineti Borchsenius the pine oyster scale, Lepidosaphes pini (Maskell) the Oriental pine scale and Lepidosaphes piniphila Borchsenius (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) for the EU, following a commodity risk assessment of dwarfed Pinus parviflora grafted onto P. thunbergii from China in which the three Lepidosaphes species were identified as pests of possible concern to the EU. All three species are native to Asia. L. pineti is only known from China; L. piniphila occurs in China, Japan and Malaysia; and L. pini is present in China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and has been introduced to the USA. All three species feed primarily on Pinus spp., including several important forestry and ornamental trees, and L. pineti and L. pini have adapted to feed on North American species of pine. L. pineti also feeds on Torreya grandis; L. pini on Abies sp., Cunninghamia lanceolata, Cycas spp., Podocarpus spp., Taxus sp. and Torreya sp.; and L. piniphila on Podocarpus spp. and T. grandis. All developmental stages occur on the foliage. Host plants for planting and cut branches with foliage could provide pathways into the EU. However, prohibitions on the import of Pinus close the main pathway. Certain dwarfed Pinus spp. from Japan are provided with a derogation for entry into the EU. The main hosts (Pinus spp.) occur throughout the EU in climate zones that match those where the three Lepidosaphes species occur in Asia. If any of the three Lepidosaphes species were to enter the EU, conditions in most of the EU are conducive to establishment. Following establishment, impacts on pines by L. pineti and L. pini would be expected. There are no published reports of L. piniphila causing damage to pine. L. pineti and L. pini satisfy the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for them to be regarded as potential Union quarantine pests. L. piniphila does not satisfy the criteria, as there is no evidence that it is harmful; however, there is a key uncertainty regarding whether it is synonymous with a closely related species, L. pitysophila, which is recorded as a pest of pine in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Mimela testaceipes (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), the striated chafer, for the EU, following a commodity risk assessment of dwarfed Pinus parviflora grafted onto P. thunbergii from China in which M. testaceipes was identified as a pest of possible concern to the EU. M. testaceipes occurs in Japan, northeast China, Far East Russia, South Korea and very likely North Korea. Adults are recognised pests feeding on and damaging the needles of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) and Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis) which are important forestry trees where the pest currently occurs. It has adapted to feed on the needles of Pinus species introduced into its native area, such as P. taeda, which is native to southeastern USA although M. testaceipes is not regarded as a significant pest of pines. Larvae are reported to cause root damage to grasses, as well as conifers. Eggs are usually laid in grassy soils by females that develop on conifer species. Larvae develop in the soil feeding on the roots of grasses or conifer hosts. Larvae overwinter in the soil and take 2 or 3 years to develop. In principle soil, host plants for planting and cut branches with foliage could provide pathways into the EU. However, prohibitions on the import of soil and hosts such as Chamaecyparis, Larix and Pinus regulate such pathways into the EU. Nevertheless, certain dwarfed Pinus spp. from Japan are provided with a derogation for entry into the EU. In addition, the host C. japonica is unregulated and could also provide a pathway. Hosts occur in the EU in climate zones that match those where M. testaceipes occurs in Asia. If M. testaceipes were to enter the EU, conditions in central and northern EU are conducive to establishment. Following establishment, impacts on Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress and Japanese larch would be expected; it is possible that M. testaceipes could adapt to feed on Pinus and Larix species growing in Europe. M. testaceipes satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the citrus root weevil Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for the European Union (EU) following the commodity risk assessment of Ligustrum delavayanum topiary grafted on L. japonicum plants from the UK in which D. abbreviatus was identified as a relevant non‐regulated EU pest which could potentially enter the EU. This species is native to the Caribbean and was introduced to the continental USA in 1964, to Gran Canaria (Spain) in 2014 and to Madeira Island (Portugal) in 2018. It is a polyphagous insect, associated with more than 270 species in 60 plant families. Female D. abbreviatus can lay up to 5,000 eggs in clusters within leaves folded and glued together. Neonate larvae drop off the leaves onto the ground and enter the soil, where they feed on roots for several months. The mature larvae pupate in the soil. After emergence, adults usually stay on the first host plant they encounter and can move long distances on nursery stock. D. abbreviatus is not a regulated pest in the EU. It could enter and spread within the EU via the import and movement of host plants for planting, cut flowers and soil. Some host plants for planting (e.g. Vitis spp., Citrus spp.), and soil are prohibited from entering the EU from countries where this weevil is known to occur. The import of other host plants for planting and cut flowers is subject to phytosanitary certificate and that of soil attached to machinery is regulated. Host availability and climate suitability suggest that the southernmost coastal areas of southern EU MSs would be suitable for establishment of D. abbreviatus. Temporary establishment in greenhouses in other EU territories would be possible. The introduction of D. abbreviatus would likely cause impacts. Measures to prevent entry, spread and impact are available. D. abbreviatus satisfies all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Nanoencapsulation has opened promising fields of innovation for pesticides. Conventional pesticides can cause side effects on plant metabolism. To date, the effect of nanoencapsulated pesticides on plant phenolic contents has not been reported. RESULTS: In this study, a comparative evaluation of the phenolic contents and metabolic profiles of strawberries was performed for plants grown under controlled field conditions and treated with two separate active ingredients, azoxystrobin and bifenthrin, loaded into two different types of nanocarriers (Allosperse® polymeric nanoparticles and SiO2 nanoparticles). There were small but significant decreases of the total phenolic content (9%) and pelargonidin 3‐glucoside content (6%) in strawberries treated with the nanopesticides. An increase of 31% to 125% was observed in the levels of gallic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol in the strawberries treated with the nanoencapsulated pesticides compared with the conventional treatments. The effects of the nanocarriers on the metabolite and phenolic profiles was identified by principal component analysis. CONCLUSION: Overall, even though the effects of nanopesticides on the phenological parameters of strawberry plants were not obvious, there were significant changes to the plants at a molecular level. In particular, nanocarriers had some subtle effects on plant health and fruit quality through variations in total and individual phenolics in the fruits. Further research will be needed to assess the impact of diverse nanopesticides on other groups of plant metabolites. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]