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The appropriate use of human biomonitoring data to model population chemical exposures is challenging, especially for rapidly metabolized chemicals, such as agricultural chemicals. The objective of this study is to demonstrate a novel approach integrating model predicted dietary exposures and biomonitoring data to potentially inform regulatory risk assessments. We use lambda-cyhalothrin as a case study, and for the same representative U.S. population in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), an integrated exposure and pharmacokinetic model predicted exposures are calibrated to measurements of the urinary metabolite 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3PBA), using an approximate Bayesian computing (ABC) methodology. We demonstrate that the correlation between modeled urinary 3PBA and the NHANES 3PBA measurements more than doubled as ABC thresholding narrowed the acceptable tolerance range for predicted versus observed urinary measurements. The median predicted urinary concentrations were closer to the median measured value using ABC than using current regulatory Monte Carlo methods.

The extensive use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture has led to significant environmental pollution, particularly in aqueous systems. This review provides an inclusive overview of the advancements in the application of gold nanoparticles (GNPs), specifically for the sensing of pesticides and fertilizers on surface water. The novelty of this work lies in its focused analysis of the unique localized surface plasmon resonance properties of GNPs that enable highly sensitive and selective detection of contaminants on surface water. Various synthesis methods and detection mechanisms are discussed, emphasizing the integration of GNP‐based sensors with modern analytical techniques to enhance detection limits and response time. The review also highlights the significance of monitoring agricultural chemicals in water systems from an environmental perspective. In addition, this review also reveals the potential of GNPs contribution toward sustainable agricultural practices by providing reliable, rapid, and cost‐effective sensing solutions. Future perspectives on the development of GNP‐based sensors, including the fundamental challenges in designing GNP sensors, such as incorporation with other materials, miniaturized and portable sensing devices, and field‐testing validation are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study uses field survey data from members of five farmer producer companies in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal and assesses the benefits of membership. The real income of member farmers increased by more than 30 per cent after joining farmer producer companies. The access to inputs like seeds, farm chemicals, and farm machines; to weather advisory and storage services; and also, to output markets, improved after joining farmer producer companies. The members were found to market 100 per cent of their produced food grains through farmer producer companies at minimum support prices. Member farmers were found to have stronger networks and greater temporal and informational efficiency. With nearly 40 per cent of members women, these farmer producer companies have emerged as instrumental in empowering them, improving their livelihood and incomes in the patriarchal and rural societal setup. However, even though these collectives are benefitting the rural economy, it was also found that more investment is needed to create local infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey bees are crucial to human survival in their role as generalist pollinators. However, humans also impact honey bees through the use of agricultural chemicals, typically aimed at increasing crop yield. Pesticide exposure to honey bees has been associated with a decrease in colony growth and fewer queens being born. However, the safety of pesticides is derived from acute feeding studies that focus on mortality. Pesticides are now ubiquitous in the environment and honey bees are constantly exposed. Studies utilizing long-term exposure better represent the lifetime experience of a typical honey bee. Here we measured changes in associative learning following 1 week of exposure to one of two sub-lethal, field-relevant doses of imidacloprid. While neither concentration of pesticide altered mortality relative to control, learning acquisition decreased in the high compared to control groups. These data demonstrate that chronic exposure to field-relevant doses of imidacloprid impact the ability for honey bees to form memories. The foraging success of honey bees relies on remembering the location of the hive and potential forage locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview is given on the significance of the oxime moiety in crop protection chemistry. This review focuses on the two most important aspects of agrochemical oximes, which are the occurrence and role of oxime groups in compounds with herbicidal, fungicidal and insecticidal activity, as well as the application of oxime derivatives as intermediates in the synthesis of crop protection agents not bearing any oxime function. Especially noteworthy is the fact, that in the synthesis of agrochemicals, oximes can be cyclized to isooxazoline, isoxazole, oxadiazole, oxazine, pyrrole, isothiazole and imidazole rings. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

λ-cyhalothrin, a synthetic type II pyrethroid, has become increasingly popular for control of aphids, butterfly larvae, and beetles, replacing other agricultural chemicals. As a result of which, residues of this synthetic pesticide are being reported across the globe in natural water, which poses a serious threat to aquatic life. Therefore, the present study was designed to understand the toxicity effects of λ-cyhalothrin on behaviour, oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in a vertebrate aquatic model, zebrafish (Danio rerio). The fish were exposed to 0.129, 0.194 and 0.388 µg/L corresponding to 5%, 10% and 20% of 96hLC50 (1.94 µg/L) for 28 days. Upon exposure to the highest concentration (0.388 µg/L), the test animal exhibited significant alterations in behavioural patterns like number of entries to the top zone (n), decrease in average speed (m/s) and decrease in time spent in top zone (s). Moreover, the shoaling test demonstrated a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the relative time spent by the tested fish (%) near the stimulus fish. The change in behavioural alterations might be linked to a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the brain acetylcholine esterase activity. Furthermore, the present study also illustrates oxidative stress exerted by λ-cyhalothrin through an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species, which is again clearly depicted by a significant increase (p < 0.05) in Superoxide dismutase, Catalase and Glutathione peroxidase activities. Overall, the present study systematically demonstrates the chronic effects of λ-cyhalothrin on adult fish behaviour and physiology, which will contribute to assessing the risks of λ-cyhalothrin to organismal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers in conventional agriculture has raised significant environmental and health issues, including the emergence of resistant pests and pathogens. Plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) present a sustainable alternative, offering dual benefits as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents. This review delves into the mechanisms by which PGPR enhance plant growth, including nutrient solubilization, phytohormone production, and pathogen suppression. PGPR's commercial viability and application, particularly under abiotic stress conditions, are also examined. PGPR improves plant growth directly by enhancing nutrient uptake and producing growth‐promoting substances and indirectly by inhibiting phytopathogens through mechanisms such as siderophore production and the secretion of lytic enzymes. Despite their potential, the commercialization of PGPR faces challenges, including strain specificity, formulation stability, and regulatory barriers. The review highlights the need for ongoing research to deepen our understanding of plant‐microbe interactions and develop more robust PGPR formulations. Addressing these challenges will be crucial for integrating PGPR into mainstream agricultural practices and reducing reliance on synthetic agrochemicals. The successful adoption of PGPR could lead to more sustainable agricultural practices, promoting healthier crops and ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitro compounds are important intermediates in medicine, agrochemicals, dyes and polymers. In recent years, the use of tert-butyl nitrite (t-BuONO) has attracted great attention and research involving it has made promising progress. Currently, there is no review that specifically discusses the use of t-BuONO for the synthesis of nitro compounds via a C–H bond radical strategy. Therefore, this review aims to focus on the recent progress in the use of t-BuONO as a nitration reagent according to the type of reaction substrate, especially to focus on the discussion of the reaction mechanism in representative cascade reactions to provide insights for the development prospects of tert-butyl nitrite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of indoles with a trifluoromethyl group has attracted a lot of attention because they are promising structural subunits for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. As part of our project aimed toward the upcycling of hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), we developed a method to construct a CF3‐bearing indole ring system through the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling of a brominated HFO‐1234ze(E) (CF3CH=CHF) with N‐tosylated o‐borylanilines, followed by nucleophilic 5‐endo‐trig cyclization at the vinylic position of the generated fluorostyrenes. We found that the Pd2(dba)3/SPhos catalyst system in the presence of K2CO3 and water in toluene afforded the corresponding 3‐CF3‐indoles in high yields in a one‐pot operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary The conversion of aniline to nitrosobenzene (NSB), a key step in the synthesis of important chemicals, demands the development of environmentally friendly photocatalysts that operate under mild conditions. This process is driven by the need for sustainable methods, given toxic nature of aniline and its central role in the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals. This study reports on the synthesis of three reduced phosphomolybdate compounds with Co(II) centers and polypyridine ligands, which show great potential as photocatalysts for the mild oxidation of aniline to NSB. The synthesis uses 30% H2O2 as the oxidant and the compounds as the sole catalysts, achieving high conversion rates and selectivity without additional additives or photosensitizers. The integration of multidentate ligands with {P4Mo6} clusters significantly reduces the band gap, facilitating visible‐light‐driven photocatalysis. The adsorption interaction between coordinated water molecules and Co ions and H2O2 is found to enhance the conversion rate of aniline, a finding supported by DFT analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indole motifs are important heterocycles found in natural products, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, and materials. Although there are well-established classical name reactions for indole synthesis, these transformations often require harsh reaction conditions, have a limited substrate scope, and exhibit poor regioselectivity. As a result, organic synthesis chemists have been exploring efficient and practical methods, leading to numerous strategies for synthesizing a variety of functionalized indoles. In recent years, electrochemistry has emerged as an environmentally friendly and sustainable synthetic tool, with widespread applications in organic synthesis. This technology allows for elegant synthetic routes to be developed for the construction of indoles under external oxidant-free conditions. This feature article specifically focuses on recent advancements in indole synthesis from non-indole-based substrates, as well as the mechanisms underlying these transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines farmers’ perceptions of agrochemical use in maize production and their harmful environmental effects. A convergent parallel mixed design was used to collect quantitative data from 254 respondents via structured interviews and qualitative data through in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The findings revealed that among those who were using agrochemicals, 98.9%, 59.2% and 49.7% used inorganic fertilizer to enhance soil fertility, pesticides to control pests and herbicides to kill weeds, respectively. Those who did not use agrochemicals were limited by many factors, including adverse effects of agrochemicals on the environment and lack of access to and the high cost of agrochemicals. Also, more than half of the respondents (51.2%) had limited knowledge about the harmful effects of agrochemicals on the environment. The perceived harmful effects of agrochemicals on the environment included being harmful to domestic animals and non-targeted insects and causing air pollution. The study provides insights for the government on how it could design and enforce educational programmes that would increase farmers’ knowledge of the proper use of agrochemicals to protect the environment while maximizing maize production. This study contributes to the existing literature on how unawareness of farmers on the use of agrochemicals can adversely affect the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Farmers in Nigeria are using agrochemicals inappropriately which pose health and environmental risks. The current research aims at establishing the socio‐economic pressure factors behind these practices and also assesses the effectiveness of measures into reducing the risky use of agrochemicals. Data were collected from 840 participants comprising farmers and agrochemical marketers using a multistage sampling technique across six states in Nigeria. Descriptive statistics and detailed case studies were employed to explore socio‐economic antecedents of agrochemical application. Results: Findings of this study showed that market demands, costs, and unavailability of safer compounds put the farmers in a dilemma regarding proper usage of agrochemicals. Among the farmers in Esanland, 96% of them applied agrochemicals in their farming activities without first following the best practices, and the reason was that 61% of them mentioned that they were compelled to use it due to market demands. Likewise in Fadan Daji, 65% farmers revealed that high cost and no training were the causes of their improper use of agrochemicals. This study also established that factors that hindered the prevention of these practices including financial constraints, lack of adequate education and training, and weak enforcement of regulations. Conclusion: This study suggested that to encourage proper utilization of agrochemicals, extended emphasis needs to be placed on addressing the socio‐economic factors. Hence, the study recommended the following measures: incentives to facilitate the use of sustainable practices by encouraging financial rewards, extensive education, and training on the benefits of sustainable practices as well as new legislation to reduce supply of reckless agrochemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the development of new agricultural sciences, innovatively integrating public basic courses with agricultural elements, and optimizing teaching methods, represent critical strategies for advancing the reform of agricultural science’s characteristic basic courses. The course team has undertaken explorations and practices in integrating teaching content with agricultural characteristics, incorporating "agricultural flavor" into ideological and political education, and establishing a learning-centered, autonomous, cooperative, and inquiry-based teaching mode. Through these teaching reforms and practices, an effective integration of chemical knowledge with agricultural professional knowledge has been achieved, which is conducive to improving students' abilities to address issues within the agricultural field and providing support for the cultivation of exceptional talents in agriculture and forestry in the new era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals that live in human‐impacted landscapes experience an onslaught of novel stimuli that may interfere with natural communication pathways. During mating, this interference may alter the criteria deployed to assess potential mates as males and females find they must shift their focus and emphasize alternative sensory modalities. The wolf spider, Tigrosa helluo (Araneae, Lycosidae) is common in agricultural fields where commercial formulations of herbicides with glyphosate as the active ingredient are regularly applied. With the development of genetically resistant crops, glyphosate‐based herbicides have become among the most widely used and heavily applied agricultural chemicals in the world. In a laboratory experiment, we explored the effects of this herbicide on male—female interactions during courtship, mating, and sexual cannibalism. We expected that it might impact assessment such that there was a shift in the features that were important to the outcome of mating interactions. When herbicide was present, female body condition, an indication of recent feeding success, became important to mating success. This result was, in part, due to higher rates of sexual cannibalism in parings of males and females with low body condition values. The leg raises and pedipalp waves that males perform in courtship were not affected by herbicide nor were they related to mating success but, across all treatments, they were negatively correlated with lytic activity of females as measured just prior to pairing. This result indicates that males detected this aspect of the female's physiology and that a strong immune response made the female less attractive, possibly because it indicated a current or recent infection. Taken together, these results verify that a common herbicide shifts mating criteria used by an agribiont spider and, separate from the herbicide, the immune status of females affects the reactions of courting males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agrochemicals can now be protected from harsh environments like pH, light, temperature, and more with the help of a drug-loading system. This has allowed the creation of targeted and continuous release functions for pesticides and fertilizers, as well as the precise application, reduction, and efficiency of agrochemicals. All of these benefits have been made possible by the recent advancements in the field of nanomaterials. A simple procedure known as electrospinning can be used to create nanofibers from natural and synthetic polymers. Nanofibers have come to be recognized as one of the sustainable routes with enormous applicability in different fields. In agriculture, a promising strategy may entail plant protection and growth through the encapsulating of numerous bio-active molecules as pesticides and fertilizers for intelligent administration at the desired places. Owing to their permeability, tiny dimensions, and large surface area, nanofibers can regulate the rate at which agrochemicals are released. This slows down the rate at which the fertilizer dissolves and permits the release of coated fertilizer gradually over time, which is more effectively absorbed by plant roots, as well as the efficiency of pesticides. Thus, modern agriculture requires products and formulations that are more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional agrochemicals. In addition to highlighting the significance and originality of using nanofibers and offering a brief explanation of the electrospinning technology, the review article's main goal is to provide a thorough summary of the research leading to breakthroughs in the nanoencapsulation of fertilizers and pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bacterial virulence factors are involved in various biological processes and mediate persistent bacterial infections. Focusing on virulence factors of phytopathogenic bacteria is an attractive strategy and crucial direction in pesticide discovery to prevent invasive and persistent bacterial infection. Hence, discovery and development of novel agrochemicals with high activity, low‐risk, and potent anti‐virulence is urgently needed to control plant bacterial diseases. RESULTS: A series of novel β‐hydroxy pyridinium cation decorated pterostilbene derivatives were prepared and their antibacterial activities against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) were systematacially assessed. Among these pterostilbene derivatives, compound 4S exhibited the best antibacterial activity against Xoo in vitro, with an half maximal effective concentration (EC50) value of 0.28 μg mL−1. A series of biochemical assays including scanning electron microscopy, crystal violet staining, and analysis of biofilm formation, swimming motility, and related virulence factor gene expression levels demonstrated that compound 4S could function as a new anti‐virulence factor inhibitor by interfering with the bacterial infection process. Furthermore, the pot experiments provided convinced evidence that compound 4S had the high control efficacy (curative activity: 71.4%, protective activity: 72.6%), and could be used to effectively manage rice bacterial leaf blight in vivo. CONCLUSION: Compounds 4S is an attractive virulence factor inhibitor with potential for application in treating plant bacterial diseases by suppressing production of several virulence factors. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The hydraulic spray delivery (HSD)‐based solid set canopy delivery system (SSCDS) emitter configuration has been optimized for agrochemical applications in vertical shoot position (VSP) vineyards. It uses cost‐prohibitive emitters, and their placement restricts the mechanical pruning activities. Therefore, this study focused on optimizing the spray performance of a pneumatic spray delivery (PSD)‐based SSCDS variant that addresses the earlier issues. Three PSD‐SSCDS emitter configurations (C1–C3) were designed using modified low‐cost emitters (E1: modified flat fan, E2: 90° modular flat fan) for agrochemical applications in VSP vineyards. C1 had an E1 installed on trellis posts at 1.67 m above ground level. C2 had a pair of E2 installed per vine at 0.3 m below the cordon, while C3 combined the emitter placement of C1 and C2. The spray deposition (ng cm−2) and coverage (%) were quantified (mean ± standard error) using mylar cards and water‐sensitive paper samplers placed within the canopy, respectively. RESULTS: Spray deposition for C1, C2, and C3 was 301.12 ± 63.30, 347.9 ± 66.29, and 837.6 ± 92.53 ng cm−2, respectively. Whereas spray coverage for corresponding configurations was 18.02 ± 2.63, 8.98 ± 1.84, and 28.84 ± 2.46%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, configuration C3 provided significantly higher spray deposition and coverage than C1 and C2. Substantially reduced system installation cost and emitter density per hectare with improved spray performance were achieved by C3 compared to earlier optimized HSD‐SSCDS configuration in the VSP vineyards. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rice root-knot nematode (RRKN), Meloidogyne graminicola Golden and Birchfield 1965, is a dangerous crop pest that affects rice production on a global scale. The largest rice-producing countries struggle with the impacts of RRKN infestation, namely, underdeveloped plants and a reduction in rice grain that can reach up to 70% of crop yield. In addition, the shift to strategies of sustainable pest management is leading to a withdrawal of some of the most effective pesticides, given the dangers they pose to the environment and human health. Volatile metabolites produced by plants can offer safer alternatives. The present study characterized the nematicidal activity of volatile phytochemicals against the RRKN and compared the most active with commercial nematicides concerning their safety to the environment and human health. Rice plants were used to grow large numbers of RRKNs for direct-contact bioassays. Mortality induced by the volatiles was followed for four days on RRKN second-stage juveniles. Of the 18 volatiles tested, carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, and methyl salicylate showed the highest mortalities (100%) and were compared to traditional nematicides using (eco)toxicological parameters reported on freely available databases. While methyl salicylate had a faster activity, carvacrol had more lasting effects. When compared to synthetic nematicides, these volatile phytochemicals were reported to have higher thresholds of toxicity and beneficial ecotoxicological parameters. Ultimately, finding safer alternatives to traditional pesticides can lower the use of damaging chemicals in farming and leverage the transition to agricultural practices with a lower impact on biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights experimental and field studies of the scientific problem of increasing the yield of soybean seeds by optimizing the main elements of growing technology. Improved standards for the depletion of major biological nutrients during the formation of units in soybean crops make it possible to specify the standards of foliar fertilization to obtain the planned levels of yield and removal of these elements from the soil. The obtained results are of practical importance, as they contribute to optimizing the nutrition of soybean plants due to the use of foliar fertilizers Ecoline Legume. This helps to increase seed yield to the level of 2.0-2.5 tons per hectare. The researchers also conducted a generalization and analysis of scientific results in the field of soybean yield management through foliar feeding. In addition, scientific publications on the influence of liming, application of organic, mineral and microfertilizers on the physicochemical and agrochemical properties of the soil were analyzed. The cultivation of soybeans and the rational application of foliar fertilization are economically beneficial methods, and in this case, the use of foliar fertilization Ecoline Legume to approximately neutral reaction of the soil environment contributed to obtaining the highest levels of conditional net profit and profitability. This confirms the high energy efficiency of soybean cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The formation of carbon‐nitrogen bonds holds paramount importance in the realm of synthetic organic chemistry, finding extensive applications in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and organic materials. Herein, we describe a novel EDA complex mediated, metal‐ and photocatalyst‐free, visible‐light‐initiated direct C‐3 amination of biologically important, quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐one moiety. The key to the success lies in the formation of a photoactivated electron donor‐acceptor complex between quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐one and amine, which undergo subsequent electron transfer reaction to effect the desired transformation. A diverse array of 3‐aminoquinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones were prepared employing this process and the yields are up to 87%. This work represents a significant advancement toward a more environmentally friendly and efficient approach, characterized by mild reaction conditions and a high atom economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of global climate change, improving agricultural carbon productivity is an important channel to cope with climate change, reduce agricultural carbon emissions and maintain agricultural growth. For a long time, agricultural development in China mainly depends on the government's fiscal expenditure. However, does fiscal support helps to promote carbon productivity of agriculture? This question remains to be answered. Using a set of panel data covering 31 provinces and cities from 2003 to 2019, this study empirically explores the impact of agricultural fiscal support on agricultural carbon productivity in China. Benchmark regression results indicate that after controlling other influential factors, regional fiscal expenditure on agricultural has a significantly positive impact on agricultural carbon productivity. In addition, the promotion impacts of fiscal support on agricultural technological innovation and scale operation efficiency are two effective channels by which to help promote agricultural carbon productivity. By using a panel threshold regression model, we find that there exists a nonlinear relationship between fiscal support and agricultural carbon productivity. The input of agricultural machinery and chemical fertilizer are two threshold variables. Further, this causal linkage between fiscal support and agricultural carbon productivity exists differences because of the different levels of agricultural carbon productivity and regions. Our research provides Chinese theoretical basis and practical reference for improvement of agricultural carbon productivity from the perspective of fiscal expenditure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pests and diseases are a major contributor to yield losses in sub-Saharan Africa, prompting smallholder farmers to seek cost-effective, accessible and ecologically friendly alternatives for crop protection. This study explored the management of pests and diseases affecting crops across eight selected villages in Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Methods: A total of 120 smallholder farmers were purposefully selected utilising the snowball technique. Information on the management of plant pests and diseases was collected through interviews and focus group discussions using semi-structured interview schedules. Ethnobotanical indices, including relative frequency of citation (RFC), use-value (UV) and informant consensus factor (Fic), were used to quantify and rank the plants used for crop protection in the study area. Results: Twenty-three plant species (16 naturalised exotics and seven indigenous plants) belonging to 16 families were used for managing pests (vertebrates and invertebrates) and diseases (fungal and bacterial related) affecting crops in the study area. The dominant (100%) crops cultivated by the participants were Allium cepa L., Mangifera indica L., Solanum lycopersicum L. and Zea mays L. The RFC value ranged from 0.08 to 0.83 and the three most popular plants for crop protection were Capsium annuum L. (0.83), A. cepa (0.63) and Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn. (0.43). In terms of the UV, the five most promising plants used as biocontrol were Tulbaghia violacea (0.13), A. cepa (0.12), C. annuum L. (0.09), Solanum campylacanthum Hochst. Ex A.Rich.(0.09) and Pinus pinaster (0.08). Based on the Fic, four categories were established and dominated by fungal diseases (0.64). Furthermore, T. violacea and A. cepa were the most often mentioned plants used against fungal conditions. Other categories cited were bacterial diseases (0.3), invertebrate pests (0.11) and vertebrate pests (0.14), an indication that smallholder farmers had limited agreement or common knowledge about the plants used for their management. The preparation methods included maceration (38%), decoction (38%) and burning (24%). Foliar application (67%) and soil drenching (33%) were used for administering plant extracts during the management of crop pests and diseases. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of botanicals and associated indigenous knowledge among smallholder farmers in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. It is pertinent to explore the valorisation of these botanicals by generating empirical data on their biological efficacies and phytochemical profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The control of noncarbon stereogenic centers is of profound importance owing to their enormous interest in bioactive compounds and chiral catalyst or ligand design for enantioselective synthesis. Despite various elegant approaches have been achieved for construction of S‐, P‐, Si‐ and B‐stereocenters over the past decades, the catalyst‐controlled strategies to govern the formation of N‐stereogenic compounds have garnered less attention. Here, we disclose the first organocatalytic approach for efficient access to a wide range of nitrogen‐stereogenic compounds through a desymmetrization approach. Intriguingly, the pro‐chiral remote diols, which are previously not well addressed with enantiocontrol, are well differentiated by potent chiral carbene‐bound acyl azolium intermediates. Preliminary studies shed insights on the critical importance of the ionic hydrogen bond (IHB) formed between the dimer aggregate of diols to afford the chiral N‐oxide products that feature a tetrahedral nitrogen as the sole stereogenic element with good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. Notably, the chiral N‐oxide products could offer an attractive strategy for chiral ligand design and discovery of potential antibacterial agrochemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymes capable of assimilating fluorinated feedstocks are scarce. This situation poses a challenge for the biosynthesis of fluorinated compounds used in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. We developed a photoenzymatic hydrofluoroalkylation that integrates fluorinated motifs into olefins. The photoinduced promiscuity of flavin-dependent ene-reductases enables the generation of carbon-centered radicals from iodinated fluoroalkanes, which are directed by the photoenzyme to engage enantioselectively with olefins. This approach facilitates stereocontrol through interaction between a singular fluorinated unit and the enzyme, securing high enantioselectivity at β, γ, or δ positions of fluorinated groups through enzymatic hydrogen atom transfer—a process that is notably challenging with conventional chemocatalysis. This work advances enzymatic strategies for integrating fluorinated chemical feedstocks and opens avenues for asymmetric synthesis of fluorinated compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A crucial determining factor in agricultural productivity is biotic stress. In addition, supply of quality food to the ever-increasing world's population has raised the food demand tremendously. Therefore, enhanced agricultural crop productivity is the only option to mitigate these concerns. It ultimately demanded the often and indiscriminate use of synthetic agrochemicals such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, etc. for the management of various biotic stresses including a variety of plant pathogens. However, the food chain and biosphere are severely impacted due to the use of such harmful agrochemicals and their byproducts. Hence, it is need of hour to search for novel, effective and ecofriendly approaches for the management of biotic stresses in crop plants. Particularly, in plant disease management, efforts are being made to take advantage of newly emerged science i.e. nanotechnology for the creation of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) such as metallic, oxide, sulphide, etc. through different routes and their application in plant disease management. Among these, green nanomaterials which are synthesized using environmentally friendly methods and materials reported to possess unique properties (such as high surface area, adjustable size and shape, and specific functionalities) making them ideal candidates for targeted disease control. Nanotechnology can stop crop losses by managing specific diseases from soil, plants, and hydroponic systems. This review mainly focuses on the application of biologically produced green NPs in the treatment of plant diseases caused due to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The utilization of green synthesis of NPs in the creation of intelligent targeted pesticide and biomolecule control delivery systems, for disease management is considered environmentally friendly due to its pursuit of less hazardous, sustainable, and environmentally friendly methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth(III) complexes have been reported to act as inhibitors of the enzyme urease, ubiquitously present in soils and implicated in the pathogenesis of several microorganisms. The general insolubility of Bi(III) complexes in water at neutral pH, however, is an obstacle to their utilization. In our quest to improve the solubility of Bi(III) complexes, we selected a compound reported to inhibit urease, namely [Bi(HEDTA)]·2H2O, and co-crystallized it with (i) racemic DL -histidine to obtain the conglomerate [Bi2(HEDTA)2(μ- D -His)2]·6H2O + [Bi2(HEDTA)2(μ- L -His)2]·6H2O, (ii) enantiopure L -histidine to yield [Bi2(HEDTA)2(μ- L -His)2]·6H2O, and (iii) cytosine to obtain [Bi(HEDTA)]·Cyt·2H2O. All compounds, synthesised by mechanochemical methods and by slurry, were characterized in the solid state by calorimetric (DSC and TGA) and spectroscopic (IR) methods, and their structures were determined using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) data. All compounds show an appreciable solubility in water, with values ranging from 6.8 mg mL−1 for the starting compound [Bi(HEDTA)]·2H2O to 36 mg mL−1 for [Bi2(HEDTA)2(μ- L -His)2]·6H2O. The three synthesized compounds as well as [Bi(HEDTA)]·2H2O were then tested for inhibition activity against urease. Surprisingly, no enzymatic inhibition was observed during in vitro assays using Canavalia ensiformis urease and in vivo assays using cultures of Helicobacter pylori, raising questions on the efficacy of Bi(III) compounds to counteract the negative effects of urease activity in the agro-environment and in human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All areas of the modern society are affected by fluorine chemistry. In particular, fluorine plays an important role in medical, pharmaceutical and agrochemical sciences. Amongst various fluoro-organic compounds, trifluoromethyl (CF3) group is valuable in applications such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and industrial chemicals. In the present study, following the strict OECD modelling principles, a quantitative structure–toxicity relationship (QSTR) modelling for the rat acute oral toxicity of trifluoromethyl compounds (TFMs) was established by genetic algorithm-multiple linear regression (GA-MLR) approach. All developed models were evaluated by various state-of-the-art validation metrics and the OECD principles. The best QSTR model included nine easily interpretable 2D molecular descriptors with clear physical and chemical significance. The mechanistic interpretation showed that the atom-type electro-topological state indices, molecular connectivity, ionization potential, lipophilicity and some autocorrelation coefficients are the main factors contributing to the acute oral toxicity of TFMs against rats. To validate that the selected 2D descriptors can effectively characterize the toxicity, we performed the chemical read-across analysis. We also compared the best QSTR model with public OPERA tool to demonstrate the reliability of the predictions. To further improve the prediction range of the QSTR model, we performed the consensus modelling. Finally, the optimum QSTR model was utilized to predict a true external set containing many untested/unknown TFMs for the first time. Overall, the developed model contributes to a more comprehensive safety assessment approach for novel CF3-containing pharmaceuticals or chemicals, reducing unnecessary chemical synthesis whilst saving the development cost of new drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractFlower drop, senescence of flowers and inadequate pod filling pose significant challenges in soybean cultivation as rapid nutrient extraction from leaves during the reproductive stage accelerates leaf aging. The present study assessed the effect of foliar application of agrochemicals on growth, productivity, quality and biochemical traits of soybean at two locations during kharif (rainy) season of 2021 and 2022. The experiment comprised of ten treatments of foliar application of agrochemicals [absolute control, water spray, potassium nitrate (KNO3) 1.5%, NPK (19:19:19) 1.5%, boron 0.3%, ammonium molybdate (AM) 0.5%, thiourea 750 parts per million (ppm), urea 2.0%, muriate of potash (MOP) 0.5% and salicylic acid (SA) 100 ppm] at flower and pod initiation stages along with the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) in a randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Results revealed that foliar application of boron 0.3%, urea 2.0% and MOP 0.5% at Ludhiana and MOP 0.5%, potassium nitrate 1.5% and urea 2.0% at Ballowal Saunkhri increased growth (plant height and dry matter accumulation), yield attributes (number of pods plant−1, number of filled pods plant−1 and 100-seed weight) and seed yield. These agrochemicals showed positive effects on the biochemical parameters with increased levels of proline and total phenol content as well as improvements in total soluble sugars, starch and protein content. The findings suggest that foliar application of agrochemicals (boron 0.3%, urea 2.0%, MOP 0.5% and potassium nitrate 1.5%) along with RDF can improve soybean growth and seed yield by mitigating the nutrient stress at reproductive stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed conditioning with ultraviolet light (UV-C) might (1) improve crop yield and quality, (2) reduce the use of agrochemicals during cultivation, and (3) increase plant survival in high salinity environments. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of UV-C conditioning of white oat seeds at two doses (0.85 and 3.42 kJ m−2) under salinity stress (100 mM NaCl). Seeds were sown on germination paper and kept in a germination chamber at 20°C. Germination and seedling growth parameters were evaluated after 5 and 10 days. Data demonstrated that excess salt reduced germination and initial growth of white oat seedlings. In all the variables analyzed, exposure of seeds to UV-C under salt stress exerted a positive effect compared to non-irradiated control. The attenuating influence of UV-C in germination was greater at 0.85 than at 3.42 kJ m−2. Thus, data indicate that conditioning white oat seeds in UV-C light produced greater tolerance to salt stress. These findings suggest that UV-C conditioning of white oat seeds may be considered as a simple and economical strategy to alleviate salt-induced stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure ongoing sustainability, the modern agrochemical industry is faced with enormous challenges. These arise from provision of high‐quality food to increasing water use and environmental impact as well as a growing world population. The loss of previous agrochemicals due to consumer perception, changing grower needs and ever‐changing regulatory requirements is higher than the number of active ingredients that are being introduced into the crop protection market. Therefore, the development of novel agrochemicals is essential to provide improved efficacy and environmental profiles. In this context, the introduction of fluorine atoms and fluorine‐containing motifs into a molecule is an important method to influence its physicochemical properties. These include, for example, small difluoro‐ and trifluoromethyl, or trifluoromethoxy groups at aryl or heterocyclic aryl moieties but also fragments like 2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxycarbonyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, trifluoroacetyl, as well as the so far unusal rest like heptafluoro‐iso‐propyl. This review gives an overview of recent developments of fluorine‐containing pesticides launched over the past 7 years and describes a selection of current fluorine‐containing development candidates. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The negative impact of excessive exposure to agrochemicals in shallot cultivation causes environmental pollution and human health. Biochar has the potential to absorb agrochemical contamination. This research aimed to investigate the effect of providing compost and biochar from agricultural waste on land quality, reducing the concentration of heavy metal cadmium (Cd) and mancozeb pesticide residues in soil and products in shallot. The experiment was carried out in shallot fields in Ngurensiti Village, Pati Regency, Central Java Province. Four different treatments, including combinations of biochar and compost, were applied, along with conventional controls. Data were analyzed using the F test (ANOVA) and Tukey's test using the Minitab statistical program version 16.0. The research showed that using biochar made from sugarcane bagasse, rice husk, corncob, and compost helped more soil bacteria grow and lowered Cd and mancozeb concentrations. In addition, treatment with biochar from sugarcane bagasse waste showed a decrease in Cd and mancozeb concentrations and a more significant increase in bacterial populations compared to other treatments (rice husk biochar and corncob biochar). Although there was a slight increase in Cd concentration in shallot leaves post-treatment, Cd levels in shallot bulbs remained within safe limits. This study shows that using biochar and compost from agricultural waste effectively improves soil quality, reduces heavy metal pollution, and lowers pesticide levels to support sustainable agriculture and protect human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of chemicals through spraying is an essential component of agricultural management systems. However, the use of these chemical products results in the accumulation of residues in the soil, leading to a decline in soil fertility and plant diversity. Additionally, farmers who manually spray pesticides onto their crop fields are at risk of developing health issues such as tumors, hypersensitivity, allergies, and skin diseases. As the global population continues to grow and climate change impacts farmland ecosystems, the occurrence of pest epidemics in crops is becoming more frequent. Consequently, there is a greater demand for enhanced tools and methods to improve crop production. Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have the potential to revolutionize agricultural spraying by offering efficient and effective applications of crop protection agrochemicals. This article provides an overview and consolidation of the present research and advancements in UGV application technologies and different sensors that are specifically designed for spray applications of agrichemicals. It examines the features of both hardware and software architecture for implementing control strategies, obstacle detection, and avoidance systems with real-time integrated systems, and the ability to perform variable-rate agrochemical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial melanins are a group of pigments with protective effects against harsh conditions, showing fascinating photoprotective activities, mainly due to their capability to absorb UV radiation. In bacteria, they are produced by the oxidation of L-tyrosine, generating eumelanin and pheomelanin. Meanwhile, allomelanin is produced by fungi through the decarboxylative condensation of malonyl-CoA. Moreover, melanins possess antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, revealing significant properties that can be used in different industries, such as cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and agronomical. In agriculture, melanins have potential applications, including the development of new biological products based on this pigment for the biocontrol of phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria to reduce the excessive and toxic levels of agrochemicals used in fields. Furthermore, there are possibilities to develop and improve new bio-based pesticides that control pest insects through the use of melanin-producing and toxin-producing Bacillus thuringiensis or through the application of melanin to insecticidal proteins to generate a new product with improved resistance to UV radiation that can then be applied to the plants. Melanins and melanin-producing bacteria have potential applications in agriculture due to their ability to improve plant growth. Finally, the bioremediation of water and soils is possible through the application of melanins to polluted soils and water, removing synthetic dyes and toxic metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have found that a unique species of marine bacteria is just as effective at fertilizing agricultural soils as mineral fertilizers that are over-applied to croplands worldwide. And, these bacteria [...]

The rodent cancer bioassays are conducted for agrochemical safety assessment yet they often do not inform regulatory decision-making. As part of a collaborative effort, the Rethinking Carcinogenicity Assessment for Agrochemicals Project (ReCAAP) developed a reporting framework to guide a weight of evidence (WOE)-based carcinogenicity assessment that demonstrates how to fulfill the regulatory requirements for chronic risk estimation without the need to conduct lifetime rodent bioassays. The framework is the result of a multi-stakeholder collaboration that worked through an iterative process of writing case studies (in the form of waivers), technical peer reviews of waivers, and an incorporation of key learnings back into the framework to be tested in subsequent case study development. The example waivers used to develop the framework were written retrospectively for registered agrochemical active substances for which the necessary data and information could be obtained through risk assessment documents or data evaluation records from the US EPA. This exercise was critical to the development of a framework, but it lacked authenticity in that the stakeholders reviewing the waiver already knew the outcome of the rodent cancer bioassay(s). Syngenta expanded the evaluation of the ReCAAP reporting framework by writing waivers for three prospective case studies for new active substances where the data packages had not yet been submitted for registration. The prospective waivers followed the established framework considering ADME, potential exposure, subchronic toxicity, genotoxicity, immunosuppression, hormone perturbation, mode of action (MOA), and all relevant information available for read-across using a WOE assessment. The point of departure was estimated from the available data, excluding the cancer bioassay results, with a proposed use for the chronic dietary risk assessment. The read-across assessments compared data from reliable registered chemical analogues to strengthen the prediction of chronic toxicity and/or tumorigenic potential. The prospective case studies represent a range of scenarios, from a new molecule in a well-established chemical class with a known MOA to a molecule with a new pesticidal MOA (pMOA) and limited read-across to related molecules. This effort represents an important step in establishing criteria for a WOE-based carcinogenicity assessment without the rodent cancer bioassay(s) while ensuring a health protective chronic dietary risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Nubui River is a primary source of water for drinking purposes and other domestic activities in the rural communities dotted along its riparian zone, with agriculture being the major activity occurring in this important ecotone. The river has become a potential sink for agrochemical residue, including heavy metals, and has apparent aesthetic water quality issues, with associated health consequences. This study, therefore, assessed the health risks of heavy metals within the rural populations in the catchment areas, who have limited sources of improved water supply. Methods: The concentration of iron (Fe), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and zinc (Zn) was assessed on cumulatively 275 water samples, using a Perkin Elmer PINAAcle 900 T atomic absorption spectrophotometer for 11 months. A cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst 338 community members, following field observations on utilisation types, aesthetic appeal, and perceived quality of water from the Nubui River. To determine the potential human and ecological risks of heavy metals, the hazard quotient, chronic daily intake, contamination factor, and health pollution indices of heavy metals were computed. STATA version 16 was used to analyse the survey results. Results: Descriptive statistics of average concentrations of heavy metals in surface water at all sampling stations showed the pattern Hg < Pb < Cd < Zn < Fe, with relatively low concentrations, between 0.001 and 0.004 mg/L for Hg, 0.0011 and 0.0019 mg/L for Pb, 0.0461 and 0.0739 mg/L for Zn, and 0.2409 and 0.377 mg/L for Fe. The findings, however, showed relatively high cadmium levels between 0.0215 mg/L and 0.0383 mg/L in two of five sampling stations in comparison with the World Health Organisation (WHO) drinking water guideline values in some months. Hazard quotient values indicate that the population is safe from the non-carcinogenic health risks of exposure to heavy metals through oral routes. The contamination factor and heavy metal pollution indices for cadmium exceed recommended guideline values of 1 and 100, respectively. Meanwhile, 73.1% of community members evidently preferred the Nubui River for various domestic activities with 86.1% of them utilising it for drinking purposes. This occurrence results in exposure to associated health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating resistance of agricultural pests to chemical insecticides necessitates the development of novel, efficient, and safe biological insecticides. Conus quercinus, a vermivorous cone snail, yields a crude venom rich in peptides for marine worm predation. This study screened six α-conotoxins with insecticidal potential from a previously constructed transcriptome database of C. quercinus, characterized by two disulfide bonds. These conotoxins were derived via solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and folded using two-step iodine oxidation for further insecticidal activity validation, such as CCK-8 assay and insect bioassay. The final results confirmed the insecticidal activities of the six α-conotoxins, with Qc1.15 and Qc1.18 exhibiting high insecticidal activity. In addition, structural analysis via homology modeling and functional insights from molecular docking offer a preliminary look into their potential insecticidal mechanisms. In summary, this study provides essential references and foundations for developing novel insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 60% of the cassava-producing households in Nigeria have adopted the cultivation of improved cassava varieties resulting in increased cassava yields and output. Yet, the attainment of domestic production level that would cope with the domestic consumption and the needs for the export market can only be achieved if the technical efficiencies of smallholder farm resources are upgraded and the cassava farmers become more efficient in the allocation of these resources. This study examined the resource productivity and allocative efficiency in improved cassava-based mixed cropping system in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select a total of 120 respondents (comprising 60 adopters and 60 non-adopters of improved cassavabased mixed cropping system) on whom structured questionnaires were administered during the 2022/2023 cropping season. Inferential statistics involving the Cobb-Douglas production function and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The regression results revealed that all the five resource inputs for the adopters and four inputs excluding agrochemicals for non-adopters of the improved cassava-based mixed cropping system positively contributed to output of the respondents in the area. The results further showed that most of the resource inputs were of higher productivities under the adopters than the non-adopters. The result of the deviation from unity of the ratio of the Marginal Value Product (MVP) to Marginal Factor Cost (MFC) revealed that the adopters were more efficient in the allocation of land, cassava stem cuttings and miscellaneous variable capital inputs than the non-adopters. Constraints to increased cassava production in the area include lack of finance, high cost of farm inputs, among others. Policy measures aimed at liberalization of agricultural credit schemes to enhance farmers' access to essential farm inputs, introduction of labour-saving techniques to farmers among others were recommended towards increased production and profitable cassava value chain business in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural practices profoundly influence soil microbial populations and physicochemical properties, vital for crop growth and quality. This study aims to explore the impact of diverse agrochemical applications on soil microbial dynamics, physicochemical properties, and maize yield and proximate properties. Topsoil samples, collected at depths of 1 to 15 cm, were transported to Jimma University for maize cultivation. Over 120 days, soil and maize samples were collected at specified intervals for analysis, including soil pH, microbial populations, and nutrient content. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05) was conducted. Soil bacterial and fungal populations were measured on days 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 120. The highest total mesophilic bacterial count (TMBC) was in compost-treated pots (G) and the lowest in those receiving macronutrient fertilizers and glyphosates (B). The highest total mesophilic fungal count (TMFC) was in pots with glyphosates and compost (F), and the lowest was in pots treated with macronutrient fertilizers and glyphosates (B). Pots treated with macronutrient fertilizers and glyphosates (B), macronutrient fertilizers (A), and micronutrient fertilizers (C) showed the lowest Fe and Zn levels. Maize in pots treated with macronutrient fertilizer combined with glyphosate (B) exhibited the lowest protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Notably, compost-treated soils showed the highest bacterial and fungal counts, Fe, and Zn concentrations, while micro-mineral fertilizer combined with glyphosate (B) depleted the soil. Agrochemical treatments negatively affected maize yield quality, indicating complex treatment-related changes in soil parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current agrochemicals used in crop farming mainly consist of synthetic compounds with harmful effects on the environment and human health. Crop-associated fungal endophytes, which play many ecological roles including defense against pathogens, represent a promising source for bioactive and ecologically safer molecules in agrochemical discovery. The methanolic extract of the endophyte Menisporopsis sp. LCM 1078 was evaluated in vitro against the plant pathogens Boeremia exigua, Calonectria variabilis, Colletotrichum theobromicola, Colletotrichum tropicale, and Mycena cytricolor. Bioassay-guided isolation using chromatographic techniques followed by detailed chemical characterization by NMR and mass spectrometry led to the identification of menisporopsin A, which showed inhibitory activity in a dose-dependent manner against the five fungal pathogens including an endophytic strain (Colletotrichum tropicale), with MIC values in the range of 0.63–10.0 μg/mL showing a potency equivalent to the broadly employed agrochemical mancozeb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are biocontrol agents against various insect pests in the world for their characteristics of infectivity and compatibility with different control agents. Several environmental factors directly affect the EPN populations in the soil, as well as the resistance of certain insect pests to EPN penetration. Under these circumstances, EPNs cannot exhibit high virulence on the targeted insect pest; therefore, they should be applied in combination with some of the other control agents. In this context, the main objective of this review was to summarize the current knowledge on the compatibility of EPNs with various agrochemicals and examine the interactions of EPNs and these agents in combined application against insect pests. This review highlighted firstly the growing research attention worldwide concerning the compatibility of EPNs with other control agents. Then, the compatibility of EPNs with synthetic insecticides of different classes was reviewed. In this regard, also, some special attention has been paid to herbicides, fungicides and nematicidal compounds as possible compatible agents to EPNs. Later on, the current review discussed the importance of EPN application in combination with different insect growth regulators, juvenoids, ecdysteroids and chitin synthesis inhibitors. An overview of agricultural management practices and soil amendments in relation to EPNs was provided including the compatibility of EPNs with organic and inorganic fertilizers. Some attention has been paid to the EPN tolerance and susceptibility to heavy metals and other soil chemical pollutants, and EPNs as good bio-indicators of the environmental pollutants. The last aspect was the compatibility of EPNs with crude plant extracts and isolated phytochemicals. In conclusion, a combination of EPNs with compatible agrochemicals is a promising approach to the pest control strategy. EPNs may be combined with various compatible agrochemicals with additive, or preferably synergistic, effects on pest mortality. For this purpose, also, the exposure period should also be taken into consideration, because the exposure of EPNs to agrochemicals for a prolonged exposure period may turn their interaction to antagonistic and subsequently low control efficiency against the targeted insect due to the reduction of the EPN viability and infectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural intensification has been identified as one of the key causes of global insect biodiversity losses. These losses have been further linked to the widespread use of agrochemicals associated with modern agricultural practices. Many of these chemicals are known to have negative sublethal effects on commercial pollinators, such as managed honeybees and bumblebees, but less is known about the impacts on wild bees. Laboratory‐based studies with commercial pollinators have consistently shown that pesticide exposure can impact bee behavior, with cascading effects on foraging performance, reproductive success, and pollination services. However, these studies typically assess only one chemical, neglecting the complexity of real‐world exposure to multiple agrochemicals and other stressors. In the summer of 2020, we collected wild‐foraging workers of the common eastern bumblebee, Bombus impatiens, from five squash (Cucurbita) agricultural sites (organic and conventional farms), selected to represent a range of agrochemical, including neonicotinoid insecticide, use. For each bee, we measured two behaviors relevant to foraging success and previously shown to be impacted by pesticide exposure: sucrose responsiveness and locomotor activity. Following behavioral testing, we used liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) chemical analysis to detect and quantify the presence of 92 agrochemicals in each bumblebee. Bees collected from our sites did not vary in pesticide exposure as expected. While we found a limited occurrence of neonicotinoids, two fungicides (azoxystrobin and difenoconazole) were detected at all sites, and the pesticide synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) was present in all 123 bees. We found that bumblebees that contained higher levels of PBO were less active, and this effect was stronger for larger bumblebee workers. While PBO is unlikely to be the direct cause of the reduction in bee activity, it could be an indicator of exposure to pyrethroids and/or other insecticides that we were unable to directly quantify, but which PBO is frequently tank‐mixed with during pesticide applications on crops. We did not find a relationship between agrochemical exposure and bumblebee sucrose responsiveness. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of a sublethal behavioral impact of agrochemical exposure on wild‐foraging bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out during kharif season of 2022 and 2023 at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)-Regional Research Station (RRS), Ballowal Saunkhri (SBS Nagar) with the objective to find out the impact of foliar spray of agrochemicals on biophysical parameters, PAR interception and heat use efficiency of rainfed mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) under variable sowing dates. Timely sown crop (second fortnight of July) resulted in higher leaf area index, chlorophyll index, PAR interception and heat use efficiency (HUE) as compared to late sowing (first fortnight of August). Significantly higher seed yield, stover yield and biological yields were obtained in timely sowing during both the years of study. Foliar spray of KNO3 @ 1.5% recorded significantly higher leaf area index, chlorophyll index, PAR interception, heat use efficiency (HUE) and helio-thermal use efficiency (HTUE) but it was statistically similar with foliar spray of N:P:K (20:20:20) @ 1.5%. Foliar spray of KNO3 @ 1.5% and N:P:K (20:20:20) @ 1.5% gave statistically similar seed, stover and biological yields and significantly better than other treatments. There was an increase of 33.3% in seed yield with foliar spray of KNO3 @ 1.5% and increase of 29.1% with foliar spraying of N:P:K (20:20:20) @ 1.5%, when compared with control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In April 2021, the government of Sri Lanka abruptly banned chemical fertilizers and other agrochemicals in a bid to safeguard the country's agricultural industry, particularly its farmers and consumers, from various health and environmental concerns. Therefore, it is critical to assess the impact of prohibiting chemical fertilizers and other agrochemicals on the smallholder tea production in the country. Additionally, understanding the smallholders' awareness of agrochemicals and their attitudes toward transitioning to organic farming is essential, as these factors hold significant importance for various aspects of the economy. The Ratnapura district was selected as the research area, owing to its extensive tea cultivation across numerous Divisional Secretary (DS) divisions. For this study, a sample of 120 tea smallholders was randomly chosen from three DS divisions (Balangoda, Opanayaka, Imbulpe), representing the entire district, who supply green leaves to the ABC tea factory in Balangoda. Research data were collected through a field survey conducted between September and November 2022. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were employed for data analysis. Additionally, the costs incurred for chemical fertilizers and other agrochemicals, the total cost of production, as well as tea production before and after the implementation of the fertilizer policy, were analyzed using paired t-tests. The results obtained indicate that the majority of tea smallholders possess a high level of education, with most owning tea lands ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 acre. Furthermore, a vast majority of them demonstrate understanding of both the positive and negative aspects of agrochemicals. Notably, the analysis reveals a significant increase in the cost of chemical fertilizers and other agrochemicals, as well as the total cost of production, following the implementation of the fertilizer policy. Conversely, tea production has shown a significant decrease. Moreover, farmers express willingness to transition gradually from conventional farming practices if suitable alternatives are available. However, they currently face a myriad of challenges due to the lack of effective alternatives for chemical fertilizers and agrochemicals. Consequently, there is a pressing need to identify and implement better alternatives to address their concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are chemical substances that imitate the functions of phytohormones to enhance the crop yield and the harvest process. Phenylurea-derived plant growth regulators are known for their excellent efficacy in promoting fruit growth, particularly in kiwifruit, grapes, and melons. Phenylurea derivatives represent one class of the highly efficient and versatile PGRs. Specifically, forchlorfenuron (CPPU, N-(2-chloro-4-pyridinyl)- N0-phenylurea) exhibits similar growth-regulating efficacy to cytokinins and has a significant impact on the plant growth and the crop yield. As a result, there is growing interest in exploring the incorporation of various phenylurea moieties into agrochemicals to enhance their regulatory properties on crops. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview on representative synthetic approaches for phenylurea derived PGRs. Additionally, we provide our perspective on the future development in this active research field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, agricultural non-point source pollution has become the main source of water pollution, which mainly comes from the excessive use of agricultural chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers. The TRS is another land system reform in China after the household contract responsibility system, which relaxes the management rights of rural land and clarifies the ownership of land. Using this land reform in China as a case study, this paper constructs panel data for 30 provinces in China to explore the impact of land tenure intensification on agricultural non-point source pollution, using the difference-in-difference (DID) model to identify the causal relationship between the two. The results show that the coefficient of the TRS policy variable is −4.056 at the 1% significance level, indicating that this round of land reform has suppressed agricultural non-point source pollution. The provinces that have implemented TRS have seen an average annual reduction of 405,600 tons in Agnps emissions compared to those that have not implemented TRS, and the scale operation of agriculture and the size of the agricultural economy act as two paths. Moreover, heterogeneity analysis shows that the policy effect of the provinces in non-major food-producing areas is smaller than that of the provinces in major food-producing areas, and the path to realization is also different. Therefore, we should continue to encourage large-scale agricultural operations, cultivate new agricultural business entities, and strengthen the inhibitory effect of TRS on agricultural non-point source pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Plague continues to be a major public health concern in African countries. Several social practices and environmental conditions have been associated with the reoccurrence of bubonic plague, especially in places where the disease is prevalent. Therefore, it remains important to understand people knowledge, behavior and practices related to disease risks in order to identify factors that may hinder prevention and control strategies in the foci. Methods and results: A study survey of 100 households was conducted in Mbulu district to assess plague knowledge, factors that influence flea bite and measures used for rodent and flea control. Majority of participants (86%) were familiar with the plague disease and about (50%) mentioned swelling lymph nodes as a common symptom. Most of the participants (62%) claimed to observe human plague cases during the long rain season. The majority of participants (97%) reported to experience flea bite in their domestic settings, with most stating that they experienced more flea bites during the dry season. Houses with livestock had a greater likelihood of flea bite (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 0.36–18.80, p = 0.267) compared to houses with no livestock. Furthermore, residents reported using both local and chemical methods to control rodents and flea inside houses. Most respondents preferred using local methods in flea control. Respondents stated that the efficacy of flea control methods being applied ranged from few days to several months. There was limited knowledge of the residual effects of the agricultural chemicals being used to control fleas among the surveyed community. Conclusion: Our study highlights the importance of raising awareness and adopting effective control methods for controlling fleas and lower the risk of plague transmission and other flea borne diseases in the local communities. Sensitization of the local community on the use of appropriate chemicals for flea control is urgent to avoid any potential long-term impacts of the residual effects on the health of the local communities. Author summary: Plague is a significant health challenge in Africa due to environmental conditions, lifestyle, and behaviors of the people living mostly in persistent areas. Understanding people's knowledge on the environmental conditions and lifestyle practices related to plague transmissions is essential to preventing the disease spread. We assessed community understanding on plague, factors influencing flea bites, and methods used to control rodents and fleas in the plague foci to inform the development of the potential mitigation strategies for the disease. Majority of respondents were familiar with the disease; however, few were aware of its symptoms. They reported that human cases occurred during the rainy season, with frequent flea bites experienced during the dry season. Also, households keeping livestock inside sleeping houses had a higher likelihood of flea bites compared to those without livestock. Furthermore, residents reported using both local and chemical methods to control rodents and fleas with the majority preferring local methods for flea control. Respondents stated the efficacy of the flea control methods used ranged from days to months, although there was limited understanding of the long-term health effects of the chemical residuals used among the surveyed community. The study findings emphasize the importance of understanding community awareness and preventive measures in controlling the spread of plague and call for greater community awareness raising on using appropriate flea control methods. Understanding local practices and preventive methods aids the development of interventions that are safer and more acceptable to the community, ultimately leading to more effective control strategies in these rural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]