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BACKGROUND: Eutetranychus banksi (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) is an invasive spider mite native to the Americas. In 2013 it invaded the main citrus‐growing area in Spain producing significant damage and requiring chemical treatments. This work examines its population structure, spatial distribution and presents a sampling plan, which will assist in developing an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. RESULTS: There were differences in the population structure on fruits and leaves, as well as between leaves from different flushes with fluctuations over time correlated with variations in sex ratio. No differences in aggregation at the different plant strata were found; however, immature stages showed a higher aggregation than adults, with females being the sex with the lowest aggregation. There was a high correlation between E. banksi motile forms and adult females with the total population, thus both were used as reference stages to develop sampling plans. We recommend binomial sampling of 100 leaves for female monitoring, sampling two leaves per tree on 25 trees per transect regularly spaced along two diagonal transects, the first oriented northeast to southwest and the second northwest to southeast. To be more accurate, it is possible to survey the presence/absence of motile forms. In this case, four leaves per tree in 50 trees per transect should be monitored. CONCLUSION: This study has resulted in the first sampling plan for E. banksi, one of the most damaging citrus mite species described so far. The binomial sampling plan involves monitoring reference developmental stages, as well as a reasonable sample size that makes it applicable in field sampling for decisions making based on a future intervention threshold. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical control methods to prevent crop damage have long been directly implicated in the selection of lepidoptera insect populations resistant to insecticides. More recently, new products featuring different modes of action (MoA), developed to mitigate the negative effects of control management on both producers and the environment, are rapidly losing efficacy due to the emergence of resistant insects. Among these, certain resistances are associated with molecular changes in the genomes of pest insects that are valuable for developing molecular markers for diagnostic tools, particularly the point mutations. Molecular diagnosis represents an innovative solution for insecticide resistance management (IRM) practices, allowing for the effective monitoring of insecticide resistance. This approach facilitates decision making by enabling the timely alternation between different modes of action (MoAs). In this context, this review focuses on the major lepidopteran pests that affect globally significant crops, discussing the impacts of insecticide resistance. It gathers literature on diagnostic methods; provides a comparative overview of the advantages of different techniques in terms of efficiency, cost, precision, sensitivity, and applicability; and highlights several novel diagnostic tools. Additionally, this review explores the coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella, as an applied model to illustrate potential approaches for more effective and sustainable control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dicamba is a post-herbicide, showing some activity in soil, and its dynamics can be influenced by several factors, including the presence of straw. Brazil has more than 50% of its production area in a no-till system; thus, a good amount of the herbicide is intercepted by the straw. This study aimed to evaluate dicamba dynamics in straw and weed control efficacy when sprayed as a PRE herbicide. For this, five different studies were conducted: we utilized different straw amounts (1) and different drought periods (2) for straw sprayed with dicamba and dicamba + glyphosate to evaluate its release from straw, different straw amounts (3), different drought periods (4), and wet and dry straw (5) to evaluate pre-emergence weed control (Bidens pilosa and Ipomoea grandifolia) and dicamba availability in medium-texture soil. Around 80% of dicamba was released from the straw after 100 mm of rainfall. One day after dicamba application, 65–70% of dicamba was released from the straw with 20 mm of rainfall, while for 7 and 14 DAA, 60% was released. Dicamba was efficient in controlling the pre-emergence of both species studied, and the amount of straw did not interfere in weed control; however, dicamba was less available in the soil after rainfall when sprayed in the straw than when sprayed directly in the soil. Up to 80% of dicamba can be released from the straw after 100 mm of rainfall and weed control was efficient for the species studied; however, the carryover effect in sensitive crops might become an issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated pest management (IPM) uses a range of control strategies to diminish pest populations. Hence, the simultaneous utilisation of synthetic insecticides and biological control agents is desirable, although hindered by the possible impact of insecticides on non-target organisms. Plutella xylostella (L.) is a common target of several pesticides in Brassica crops. However, it can also be parasitised by Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff). This study examined the susceptibility of T. howardi to dry residue of cyantraniliprole and spinetoram on inert surfaces and treated kale (Brassica oleracea var. manteiga) leaf discs at field rates (FRs = 10 g a.i. ha−1 and 25 g a.i. ha−1, respectively), 50% of the FR, and at various time intervals (ranging from 2 h to 8 days after application). Survival of T. howardi remained unaffected by cyantraniliprole and spinetoram, regardless of the pesticide rate or spraying interval. Furthermore, the presence of cyantraniliprole and spinetoram in dry residue, when kale leaves were consumed by second-instar P. xylostella larvae at LC25 and LC50 levels, did not have any detrimental impact on the survival of the parasitoids. Similarly, the exposure of T. howardi to contaminated P. xylostella larvae did not have any impact on its ability to parasitise or on the emergence of the parasitoid. Given the minimal effect of cyantraniliprole and spinetoram on T. howardi, these control strategies appear to be suitable for incorporation into an integrated approach for the management of P. xylostella in Brassica crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clover seed weevil, Tychius picirostris Fabricius (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a major pest in Oregon white clover seed crops. Reliance on synthetic pyrethroid insecticides and limited availability of diverse modes of action (MoAs) has increased insecticide resistance selection in regional T. picirostris populations, emphasizing the need to evaluate novel chemistries and rotational strategies for effective insecticide resistance management (IRM). The efficacy of 8 foliar insecticide formulations for managing T. picirostris adult and larval life stages was determined in small and large-plot field trials across 2 crop years. In both years, bifenthrin (Brigade 2EC), the grower's standard, showed negligible adult and larval suppression. Insecticide formulations with isocycloseram and cyantraniliprole active ingredients reduced adult and larval populations when applied at BBCH 59–60 (prebloom) and BBCH 65–66 (full bloom) growth stages, respectively. While differences in T. picirostris abundance were observed among insecticide treatments, seed yield differences were not detected in large-plot trials. Larval abundance was correlated with reduced seed yield, and an economic threshold of ≥3 larvae per 30 inflorescences was determined as a conservative larval threshold to justify foliar applications of diamide insecticides. Additional commercial white clover seed fields were surveyed to compare larval scouting techniques, including a standard Berlese funnel and a grower's do-it-yourself funnel. Both larval extraction techniques were correlated and provided similar estimates of larval abundance. These findings demonstrate new MoAs, optimal insecticide application timing, and larval monitoring methods that can be incorporated into an effective T. picirostris IRM program in white clover seed crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) and Rachiplusia nu (Guenée) are major Plusiinae pests of soybean in the Southern Cone region of South America. In recent decades, C. includens was the main defoliator of soybean in Brazil, but from 2021 onwards, R. nu emerged as an important soybean pest in various regions of the country. Here, we characterize the differential susceptibility and resistance to insecticides in these Plusiinae pests from two soybean regions of Brazil. RESULTS: Except for spinetoram and chlorfenapyr (comparable lethality against both species) and a Bt‐based biopesticide (more lethal for C. includens), the tested insecticides showed higher lethality against R. nu than against C. includens, but populations of the same species, even separated by long distances, presented similar resistance levels. For both species, the 90% lethal concentration (LC90) values of most insecticides were higher than the field‐recommended dose. Nevertheless, the field‐recommended doses of spinetoram, metaflumizone, emamectin benzoate, cyclaniliprole and chlorfenapyr showed comparable control efficacy against both species, whereas indoxacarb, chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide, teflubenzuron and chlorfluazuron were more lethal for R. nu, and methoxyfenozide and the Bt‐based insecticide were more lethal for C. includens. Thiodicarb, methomyl and lambda‐cyhalothrin showed low lethality against both species. CONCLUSIONS: Large interspecific differences in the susceptibility to insecticides was found in major Plusiinae pests of soybean in Brazil. Furthermore, variations in susceptibility to insecticides occurred consistently among species and populations, regardless of the collection site and thus despite unequal temporal and spatial exposure to insecticides. These results demonstrate that accurate species identification is essential for effective control of Plusiinae in soybean. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), es una plaga importante de los cítricos que transmite la bacteria (Candidatus Liberibacter spp.), responsable de la enfermedad enverdecimiento de los cítricos. El control químico de esta plaga es el método más utilizado por los citricultores de México. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la efectividad biológica de imidacloprid en el control de Diaphorina citri en el cultivo de naranja (Citrus sinensis L.) en el estado de San Luis Potosí, México. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques completamente al azar, con 20 unidades experimentales con una superficie total de 1960 m2, se realizaron dos aplicaciones a intervalos de siete días de las tres dosis de imidacloprid, 30, 40 y 50 mL por 100 L de agua y se comparó con un testigo comercial tiametoxam (3 g/árbol), más un testigo sin aplicar. Los datos fueron analizados con la prueba de comparación de medias de Tukey (α = 0,05), empleando el paquete de análisis estadístico SAS. Todas las dosis de imidacloprid fueron efectivas en el control de ninfas y adultos de Diaphorina citri, sin diferencias estadísticas con el testigo regional tiametoxam (3 g/árbol). Imidacloprid alcanzó eficacias de control de ninfas de 93,83% y del 88,8% en adultos, las mejores dosis fueron 40 y 50 mL / 100 L de agua.

Mexico is the 8th largest producer of tomatoes. Meloidogyne enterolobii is reported in Sinaloa, affecting tomato cultivars with genetic resistance to Meloidogyne spp. We aimed to evaluate field applications of fluopyram, fluensulfone, and fluazaindolizine treatments for managing M. enterolobii on tomatoes. Experiments were set on raised beds in a shade house. Nematicides were applied via drip irrigation. Under fluopyram treatment, M. enterolobii did not reduce the number of extra-large-size fruits. The number of large-size fruits with fluopyram and fluazaindolizine plus fluopyram treatments was also unaffected by M. enterolobii. Yield from the treatments fluopyram, fluazaindolizine plus fluopyram, and fluensulfone plus fluopyram was similar to the control treatment without M. enterolobii. Finally, fluazaindolizine plus fluopyram, fluopyram, and fluensulfone plus fluopyram treatments showed the highest reduction of root galling. We conclude that the fluopyram was more effective as an individual treatment. Pre-plant applications of fluensulfone and fluazaindolizine reduced the damage to the plant and the loss of yield; however, the complementary application of fluorinated nematicides improved the management of M. enterolobii in the tomato crop.

In the production of grafted vines, losses are caused by fungal pathogens during callus forming or after planting in the soil. To control or reduce natural soil-born fungal infections in nurseries, certain applications were conducted in the sapling cultivation stage to analyse the efficacy of cyprodinil + fludioxonil, fluopyram + tebuconazole active substances, and Trichoderma harzianum biological preparation: 1103 Paulsen rootstock and Vitis viniferea L. cv. In the study, Sultana cultivars were stored in fungicide suspensions for 60 min before and after grafting. After grafting, the saplings were divided into (i) cutting + sawdust (ii) cutting + sawdust + soil application groups and transferred to the callus room. After nine months in the nursery, the plants were uprooted, classified as diseased or healthy, and analysed for morphological and molecular diagnosis of fungal species, isolation incidence, and sapling quality and yield. Boeremia exigua var. exigua was isolated for the first time from cuttings during grapevine sapling production and was first registered in NCBI Genbank. After callus development, Fusarium solani was most frequently isolated pathogen in the roots (21.5%); cyprodinil + fludioxonil reduced the Ilyonectria sp. isolation rate in both shoots and roots. Botryosphaeria dothidae and I. liriodendri pathogens were not detected in disease and healthy cyprodinil + fludioxonil treated saplings. The highest sapling yield was observed in fludioxonil + cyprodinil, cutting + sawdust + soil (78.75%) and cutting + sawdust (70.63%) applications.

A novel species of Mucor was identified as the causal agent of a brown rot of Prunus domestica (European plum), widely grown in the south of Xinjiang, China. This disease first appears as red spots after the onset of the fruits. With favorable environmental conditions, fruit with infected spots turn brown, sag, expand, wrinkle, and harden, resulting in fruit falling. Fungal species were isolated from infected fruits. A phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the large subunit (LSU) of the nuclear ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene regions strongly supported that these isolates made a distinct evolutionary lineage in Mucor (Mucoromycetes, Mucoraceae) that represents a new taxonomic species, herein named as Mucor xinjiangensis. Microscopic characters confirmed that these strains were morphologically distinct from known Mucor species. The pathogenicity of M. xinjiangensis was confirmed by attaching an agar disk containing mycelium on fruits and re-isolation of the pathogen from symptomatic tissues. Later, fourteen fungicides were selected to determine the inhibitory effect on the pathogen. Further, results showed that difenoconazole had the best effect on the pathogen and the strongest toxicity with the smallest half maximal effective concentration (EC50) value, followed by a compound fungicide composed of difenoconazole with azoxystrobin, mancozeb, prochloraz with iprodione, pyraclostrobin with tebuconazole, and trifloxystrobin with tebuconazole and ethhylicin. Present study provides the basis for the prevention and control of the novel plum disease and its pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Halyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug, is an invasive insect pest that in the last two decades became a major problem for several agricultural commodities, including kiwifruit. Its management relies on integrating different control methods, including board-spectrum insecticides. Nevertheless, chemical control measures may not achieve satisfactory results and there is still margin for improvement, considering for instance the optimization of the spray technique. This problem is even more relevant in kiwifruit due to its peculiar training system, which reduce fruit exposure to insecticide sprays. In this study, two spray techniques were tested to maximize the insecticides efficacy in controlling H. halys in both yellow- and green-flesh kiwifruit cultivars ('Jintao' and 'Hayward'). The effects of a conventional ray atomizer and a trumpet-modified atomizer, which localizes insecticide applications in the fruit area, were assessed on H. halys mortality (with artificial infestations) and fruit damage (due to H. halys naturally occurring in the orchards). The localized spray technique resulted in an overall significantly higher H. halys mortality in 'Hayward', but not in 'Jintao' cultivar. This is likely due to differences in the canopy size and structure of these cultivars. However, the fruit injury level was not different between the spray techniques. Further investigations in this direction are needed also to assess the efficiency of localized spray technique in reducing the insecticide rates, in accordance with European strategies that foreseen restrictions in the authorized active substances usage. Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) cultivation is expanding worldwide, with China, New Zealand, and Italy being the major producing countries. Halyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug, is raising serious concerns to kiwifruit cultivation both in China and Italy. This study aimed at improving the chemical control efficacy against this pest by comparing two insecticide spray techniques (a conventional ray atomizer and a trumpet-modified atomizer adapted for localized spray application) in kiwifruit. In fact, kiwifruit is often grown with a 'pergola' training system, which may reduce the effectiveness of insecticide penetration into the canopy. Experiments were performed in naturally infested orchards of both Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis 'Jintao' and A. chinensis var. deliciosa 'Hayward'. Furthermore, mesh cages containing H. halys adults were deployed within orchards to assess the insects' mortality at 1, 3, 7, and 10 days after an insecticide application with two spray techniques during two consecutive seasons. In the cultivar 'Jintao', the two systems performed similarly, while in the cultivar 'Hayward', an overall significantly higher insect mortality was recorded with the trumpet atomizer (94–100%) compared to the conventional atomizer (59–78%). Crop damage was also evaluated on both cultivars, simulating the grower insecticide applications with the two spray techniques. At harvest, no difference emerged between the spray techniques, which provided a significantly better protection compared to the untreated control (12–17% compared to 33–47% of injured fruits). Further investigations in this direction are needed also considering the restriction of insecticidal active substances ongoing in the European Union and the need to maximize the efficacy of the available tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peach leaf curl disease, caused by Taphrina deformans (Berk.) Tul., is one of the most serious peach diseases, causing quantitative and qualitative damage to crops across Iran each year. In current study, the efficacy of two new fungicides, Badge®WG280 and Barzidox® WP85%, was evaluated in controlling peach leaf curl disease. The experiment was conducted in Golestan, Semnan and North Khorasan using a randomized complete block design with ten treatments and four replications. Treatments included 0.75, 1, and 1.2 ml l-1 of Badge®WG280 (copper hydroxid+copper oxychloride), 2, 4, and 6 g.l-1 of Barzidox®WP85% (copperoxychloride), 2.5 ml l-1 of Nordox®WG75% (copperoxide(, 3 g l-1 of Captan, and controls (with and without water spraying). Treatments were applied at three physiological stages (the first in autumn after the leaves had fallen, the second at the end of March before the bud had swollen, and the third after the petals had dropped). Disease incidence and severity percentage were determined. Duncan's multiple range test was used to compare the mean disease severity and incidence percentages. The results showed that 6g l-1 of Barzidox® had the highest efficacy in reducing disease severity compared to the control in Golestan and Semnan provinces, with 81% and 80% respectively. Furthermore, the best performance of two indicator fungicides, Nordox® and Captan were 73% and 72% in Golestan province and 67% and 68%, in Semnan province, respectively. According to the results, it is concluded that 1.2ml.l-1 of Badge® and 4g.l-1 of Barzidox® have the best efficiency in controlling the peach leaf curl disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In mid-2019, fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (FAW), a highly destructive and polyphagous pest was first discovered in Egypt. It is now a candidate to be a major economic threat to crop production. This study is the first report of this pest at Sharqia Governorate, northern-east Egypt. The available chemical control that is reviewed and reported which is mostly the first assessment in Egypt regarding the extreme shortage in any local data Research Method: Compare the morphological features and description of the detected insect stages with the ideal published data. Through leaf dip bioassay in second instar larvae; the lethal concentrations (LC values) of various conventional and newer insecticides were detected in FAW. Four different insecticides (indoxacarb, methomyl, chlorpyrifos, and metaflumizone were evaluated against both strains (laboratory and field) of FAW. Findings: Generally, the field strain showed resistance to the tested insecticides as compared to the laboratory one; however, indoxacarb (sodium channel blocker) was recorded as the most toxicant one, recording the lowest LC50 and LC90 values (48.79 and 208.47%) for field strain and (16.47 and 103.78%) for laboratory one, respectively. The field strain’s observed insecticide resistance was attributed to resistance mechanisms including a noteworthy rise in the activities of detoxification enzymes. indoxacarb showed the lowest resistance significant values in the field strain as compared to laboratory one. We can conclude that sodium channel blocker i.e. indoxicarb is a promising choice in IPM strategies of FAW in Egypt. Research Limitations: More field studies are required to examine the tested insecticides on different plant species to confirm their effectiveness under field circumstances and to make conclusive recommendations. Originality / Value: Findings can confirm the presence of the invasive FAW in this specific area, register it for the first time, and provide detailed descriptions, also the candidate insecticides proved to be promising control agents to combat FAW larvae under local efforts and domestic circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of cyanobacterial bloom, among other things, is chronic and periodic pollution, which is mainly caused by phosphorus and nitrogen, as well as high temperatures and direct sunlight. To carry out this experiment, in order to obtain blooming cyanobacteria in the warm water pond fish, water samples were taken from 5 farms and after purification, mass culture of 4 species of cyanobacteria that had the highest density was prepared. Then kaolin with a concentration of 0.5 g/liter and separately with two sizes of 50 and 100 micrometers was added to the pure culture of any cyanobacteria species using a 1-meter column. The amount of reduction of cyanobacteria was checked by counting by Neubauer chamber at 0, 3, 9 and 24 hours after adding to it. The results showed the decrease in the number of cyanobacteria Chroococcus sp. For kaolin with two sizes of 100 and 50 micrometers, it was 24.4 and 39%, respectively. This rate was 25.8 and 15.5% for the cyanobacterium Gloeocapsa sp. Also, for cyanobacterium Oscillatoria sp., 23.5 and 35.3% were calculated and finally for cyanobacterium Microcystis sp., 29.4 and 33.3% were calculated. The results of this research showed that the separate use of two sizes of kaolin, 100 and 50 micrometers, is effective for the immediate control of cyanobacterial bloom, and also, comparing the two sizes of kaolin, kaolinite with the size of 50 micrometers had better operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Phytophthora capsici is a destructive oomycete pathogen, causing huge economic losses for agricultural production. The genus Trichoderma represents one of the most extensively researched categories of biocontrol agents, encompassing a diverse array of effective strains. The commercial biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum strain T‐22 exhibits pronounced biocontrol effects against many plant pathogens, but its activity against P. capsici is not known. RESULTS: T. harzianum T‐22 significantly inhibited the growth of P. capsici mycelia and the culture filtrate of T‐22 induced lysis of P. capsici zoospores. Electron microscopic analyses indicated that T‐22 significantly modulated the ultrastructural composition of P. capsici, with a severe impact on the cell wall integrity. Dual RNA sequencing revealed multiple biological processes involved in the inhibition during the interaction between these two microorganisms. In particular, a marked upregulation of genes was identified in T. harzianum that are implicated in cell wall degradation or disruption. Concurrently, the presence of T. harzianum appeared to potentiate the susceptibility of P. capsici to cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors such as mandipropamid and dimethomorph. Further investigations showed that mandipropamid and dimethomorph could strongly inhibit the growth and development of P. capsici but had no impact on T. harzianum even at high concentrations, demonstrating the feasibility of combining T. harzianum and these cell wall synthesis inhibitors to combat P. capsici. CONCLUSION: These findings provided enhanced insights into the biocontrol mechanisms against P. capsici with T. harzianum and evidenced compatibility between specific biological and chemical control strategies. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chagas disease is considered one of the most important human parasitosis in the United States. This disease is mainly transmitted by insects of the subfamily Triatominae. The chemical vector control is the main tool for reducing the incidence of the disease. However, the presence of triatomines after pyrethroids spraying has been reported in some regions, as in the case of Triatoma infestans in Argentina and Bolivia. The presence of insects can be explained by the colonization from neighbouring areas, the reduction of insecticide dose to sublethal levels due to environmental factors, and/or by the evolution of insecticide resistance. In the last two scenarios, a proportion of the insects is not killed by insecticide and gives rise to residual populations. This article focuses on the toxicological processes associated with these scenarios in triatomines. Sublethal doses may have different effects on insect biology, that is, sublethal effects, which may contribute to the control. In addition, for insect disease vectors, sublethal doses could have negative effects on disease transmission. The study of sublethal effects in triatomines has focused primarily on the sequence of symptoms associated with nervous intoxication. However, the effects of sublethal doses on excretion, reproduction and morphology have also been studied. Rhodnius prolixus and T. infestans and pyrethroids insecticides were the triatomine species and insecticides, respectively, mainly studied. Insecticide resistance is an evolutionary phenomenon in which the insecticide acts as a selective force, concentrating on the insect population's pre‐existing traits that confer resistance. This leads to a reduction in the susceptibility to the insecticide, which was previously effective in controlling this species. The evolution of resistance in triatomines received little attention before the 2000s, but after the detection of the first focus of resistance associated with chemical control failures in T. infestans from Argentina in 2002, the study of resistance increased remarkably. A significant number of works have studied the geographical distribution, the resistance mechanisms, the biological modifications associated with resistance, the environmental influences and the genetic of T. infestans resistant to pyrethroid insecticides. Currently, studies of insecticide resistance are gradually being extended to other areas and other species. The aim of this article was to review the knowledge on both phenomena (sublethal effects and insecticide resistance) in triatomines. For a better understanding of this article, some concepts and processes related to insect‐insecticide interactions, individual and population toxicology and evolutionary biology are briefly reviewed. Finally, possible future lines of research in triatomine toxicology are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum Ker-Gawl.) is a widely used ornamental plant, which has dense branches and leaves, and fast spreading and evergreen habit. In October 2022, leaf spot symptoms were observed in a hedge of sweet viburnum in Yuanshi Garden, Ningbo, China. Fungi were isolated from symptomatic leaves, and were identified using morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of partial sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), actin (act), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α), and were evaluated in pathogenicity tests. The causal agent of sweet viburnum leaf spot was identified to be Phyllosticta capitalensis. Effects of seven fungicides on P. capitalensis were assessed in vitro. Fungicide EC50s (mg L-1) against P. capitalensis were: 270.77 for 75% chlorothalonil (WP); 0.02 for 250 g L-1 azoxystrobin SC; 0.27 for 10% difenconazole WDG; 0.02 for 75% trifloxystrobin + tebuconazole WDG, 9.03 for 35% fluopyram + tebuconazole SC, 5.90 for 500 g L-1 fluazinam SC, and 89.11 for 10% prothioconazole SC. Among these, azoxystrobin SC and trifloxystrobin + tebuconazole WDG could be used for control of viburnum leaf spot. This is the first report of P. capitalensis causing leaf spot of sweet viburnum, and this study provides guidance for chemical management sweet viburnum leaf spot, and on other host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following commercial use of plant essential oils in pest control, their slow-release formulations have been developed in order to increase their effectiveness and solve their instability problem. In the present study, at first, lethal effects of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oils as emulsions and nano-capsules on the tomato leaf-miner was determined by the leaf-dipping method. Mortality of different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 percent) recorded at 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment. Then, negative effects of these essential oils on life table parameters were evaluated at 10% concentration. The results of the toxic effects of these essential oils at the selected concentration showed a significant increase in the larval duration in both treatments compared to that of control. The longest larval duration was observed in nano-capsule formulation of rosemary (9.24 ± 0.15 day) and the lowest larval duration was observed in the control (7.78 ± 0.16 day). However, the nano-capsule formulations of essential oils had no effect on the adult longevity, but peppermint nano-capsule significantly decreased the ovipositional period compared to that of control and rosemary nano-capsule. Fertility and survival rates were also significantly decreased in females treated with rosemary nano-capsule. In general, rosemary essential oil has the ability to use in integrated pest management programs because of a reasonable reduction in the pest developmental parameters, higher inhibition effect on adult female oviposition, and lower damages to plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study aimed to assess the efficacy of commonly used post-emergence herbicides under flooded rice fields, for Conyza spp. control. The greenhouse experiment employed a factorial setup with factor A denoting the presence or absence of a water layer post-application, and factor B representing different herbicides, to C. sumatrensis. In field trials, were applied when the rice plantation was on V3 stage. Evaluations were control (%), roots and shoot dry weight of Conyza spp., as well as injury (%), number of grains per panicle, and grain yield (ha−1) of rice. The applications of imazapyr + imazapic, florpyrauxifen-benzyl, imazethapyr, penoxsulam, quinclorac, bentazon, triclopyr-butyl, saflufenacil and ethoxysulfuron followed by water layer entry led to Conyza spp. control surpassing 80% at 28 DAA. The herbicides florpyrauxifen-benzyl, quinclorac, triclopyr-butyl, and saflufenacil, without flooding after application, demonstrated Sumatran fleabane control equal to or greater than 80% at 28 DAA. Effective water layer management is crucial for Conyza spp. control in zero-grade rice cultivation areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garlic is one of the most popular spices in the world and the second most widely cultivated Allium species next to the onion. Garlic production is reduced due to many biotic and abiotic factors, among which white rot disease caused by Stromatinia cepivora (Berk.) Whetzel causes severe yield losses. The study was conducted to evaluate the combined effects of chemical fungicides and garlic varieties on the epidemic development of white rot disease. The experiment was conducted at Chefanen Kebele using three garlic varieties and three chemicals during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replicates. The application of Apron Star 42, a commercial fungicide containing Thiametoxam 20%, Metalaxyl-M 20% and Difenconazole 2%, significantly reduced the white rot disease on all varieties as compared to the untreated local variety. Bishoftu Nech and MM-98 varieties exhibited fast emergence as compared to the local variety, consequently increasing the yield and yield components of garlic. The application of Apron Star 42, significantly increased yield parameters compared to the untreated control. The significant effect and the negative correlations of days to maturity, growth parameters, yield, and yield components with disease parameters indicated that the white rot disease had a very crucial impact on garlic yield. Application of Apron Star 42 to improved garlic varieties is recommended to reduce the severity of white rot infections and to increase garlic production in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most strawberry growers in Brazil use imported transplants due to their higher quality in terms of plant health and productivity. However, there is a risk of entry of quiescently infecting pathogens such as Botrytis species and/or isolates resistant to different fungicides. In this work, we investigated the incidence of Botrytis in imported transplants, and identified the species. In addition, isolates were characterized for their pathogenicity in fruit and sensitivity to seven fungicides (procymidone, fludioxonil, iprodione, cyprodinil, pyrimethanil, boscalid and fluazinam). The average incidence of Botrytis spp. in transplants imported from Chile, Argentina, and Spain was 43.5%. A total of 79 isolates were identified molecularly as B. cinerea and the pathogenicity in fruit was confirmed for a subsample of 14 isolates. To evaluate sensitivity to fungicides, the following discriminatory doses were used: procymidone (P) (10 µg/mL), fludioxonil (F) (0.5 µg/mL), iprodione (I) (10 µg/mL), cyprodinil (C) (10 µg/mL), pyrimethanil (PY) (10 µg/mL), boscalid (B) (50 µg/mL) and fluazinam (FL) (1 µg/mL). As a result, 24 resistant phenotypes were identified with the most frequent being the phenotype with resistance to three fungicides (C-PY-B). The isolates with low sensitivity to cyprodinil and pyrimethanil fungicides, which are not yet widely used in Brazil, represent a risk for strawberry production and should be considered in disease management and future fungicide monitoring programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alligatorweed [Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.; Amaranthaceae] is a globally problematic, aquatic invasive weed with a long history as a target for control efforts. Although chemical and biological control methods have been widely studied to manage alligatorweed infestations, many research questions remain unanswered. This paper seeks to assess the efficacy of two understudied alligatorweed control methods: submersed herbicide applications and biological control with alligatorweed thrips (Amynothrips andersoni O'Neill 1968; Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae). These assessments were carried out in mesocosm experiments, in two stages. The first stage tested five herbicides applied as submersed injections at two different rates, and the second tested the same five herbicides alone and in combination with alligatorweed thrips biological control. The submersed herbicides used in this study were penoxsulam, bispyribac-sodium, imazamox, fluridone, and topramezone. The control effect of these treatments was measured as percent biomass reduction 12 weeks after treatment. These data showed that, with the exception of bispyribac-sodium, submersed herbicide application was generally successful at reducing alligatorweed biomass. Also, thrips biological control was broadly effective at reducing alligatorweed biomass. However, these data did not identify a specific herbicide whose control was significantly benefitted by thrips biological control at the rates these herbicides were applied. While the results of this study show promise for combining submersed herbicides and alligatorweed thrips for integrated alligatorweed management, questions remain regarding this combined control strategy including whether or not these results translate to the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most field corn in the United States receives a neonicotinoid seed treatment for the management of early-season, soil-dwelling insect pests. Grubs of Maladera formosae (Brenske) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) have been reported feeding on young field corn with both low and high rates of clothianidin seed treatments in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Anecdotally, these infestations are restricted to sandy soils in the region. The purpose of this study was to (1) evaluate whether grub populations in corn are restricted to sandy soils, (2) assess whether soil type influences M. formosae survival, and (3) determine whether soil type affects clothianidin uptake by the plant, possibly explaining the observed differences in M. formosae abundance by soil type. We observed nearly 10-times more grubs in sand (>80% sand content) than loam (<80% sand content) soil within a single corn field. Grub survival to adult was not influenced by soil type. We then compared the concentrations of clothianidin seed treatment in the roots and shoots of corn seedlings grown in either sand or loam soil over time. Similar amounts of the active ingredient were found in the roots and shoots of corn grown in both soil types. Within 2 week, the clothianidin concentrations in both soil types had significantly declined in roots and shoots and were no different from the no-insecticide control. These findings suggest that factors other than insecticide exposure contribute to the higher abundance of M. formosae larvae in sand relative to loam soils, even within the same field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the production of grafted vines, losses are caused by fungal pathogens during callus forming or after planting in the soil. To control or reduce natural soil-born fungal infections in nurseries, certain applications were conducted in the sapling cultivation stage to analyse the efficacy of cyprodinil + fludioxonil, fluopyram + tebuconazole active substances, and Trichoderma harzianum biological preparation: 1103 Paulsen rootstock and Vitis viniferea L. cv. In the study, Sultana cultivars were stored in fungicide suspensions for 60 min before and after grafting. After grafting, the saplings were divided into (i) cutting + sawdust (ii) cutting + sawdust + soil application groups and transferred to the callus room. After nine months in the nursery, the plants were uprooted, classified as diseased or healthy, and analysed for morphological and molecular diagnosis of fungal species, isolation incidence, and sapling quality and yield. Boeremia exigua var. exigua was isolated for the first time from cuttings during grapevine sapling production and was first registered in NCBI Genbank. After callus development, Fusarium solani was most frequently isolated pathogen in the roots (21.5%); cyprodinil + fludioxonil reduced the Ilyonectria sp. isolation rate in both shoots and roots. Botryosphaeria dothidae and I. liriodendri pathogens were not detected in disease and healthy cyprodinil + fludioxonil treated saplings. The highest sapling yield was observed in fludioxonil + cyprodinil, cutting + sawdust + soil (78.75%) and cutting + sawdust (70.63%) applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The tomato fruitworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) is a highly versatile pest found worldwide. Due to its high mobility, short growth period, and high reproduction rate, it has become a highly damaging agricultural pest in various regions. One effective and long-lasting strategy for managing pests, like the tomato fruitworm, is to utilize a combination of chemical insecticides and other control methods in an integrated pest management program. Insecticides have direct effects on mortality rates and indirect effects by altering the physiological or behavioral characteristics of the target pest. In a sustainable agriculture strategy, it is crucial to assess the direct and indirect effects of insecticides on the biological parameters of the target pest. This study aimed to investigate the lethal and sublethal concentrations of thiodicarb, pyridalyl, and chromafenozide on the life table parameters of the tomato fruitworm. Materials and Methods: The bioassay of insecticides on the second instar larvae of the tomato fruitworm was conducted by adding the insecticides to the artificial diet. In control, distilled water was used instead. To study the sublethal effects of thiodicarb, pyridalyl, and chromafenozide insecticides, 200 tomato fruitworm larvae of second-instar were selected from the laboratory population from a growth chamber and then transferred to containers. After three days, 70 alive larvae were randomly selected and transferred to individual rearing containers containing an insecticidefree diet in each treatment. All demographic parameters were measured individually in each treatment. The data related to the mortality of the tomato fruitworm larvae was analyzed by the probit method in a bioassay. For each insecticide, the dose response line and the LC50 slope were estimated at a 95% confidence level. One-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate the sublethal effects of the tested insecticides on the duration of immature stages and the developmental rate. A comparison of means was done with Tukey's test at a 5% probability level. The sublethal effects of the insecticides on the demographic parameters of pests were analyzed using the age-stage-specific bisexual life table theory. Results: According to the bioassay tests on the tomato fruitworm larvae, the estimated LC50 values for thiodicarb, pyridalyl, and chromafenozide, were 209.62, 48.09, and 2.74 mg a. i./L, respectively. The results of the sublethal effects showed that LC30 values of insecticides could alter the pest's biological and life table parameters. The lowest length of embryonic, larval, prepupal, pupal, immature, pre-, and post-oviposition periods was recorded in the control treatment. On the other hand, the longest time of these parameters was observed in the chromafenozide and pyridalyl treatments. The highest lifespan of males and females and the maximum fertility of pests were observed in control. However, the lowest of these parameters were observed in the chromafenozide and pyridalyl treatments. None of the insecticides had a significant effect on the sex ratio of the tomato fruitworm (1:1). The highest value of net fecundity rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ) were observed in the control treatment and the lowest values of these parameters were observed in the chromafenozide and pyridalyl treatments. The lowest average value of total generation period (T) and doubling time (DT) was observed in the control treatment, and the highest value of these parameters was observed in the chromafenozide and pyridalyl treatments. Discussion: After conducting tests to evaluate the lethal and sublethal effects of insecticides on the biological parameters of tomato fruitworms, it was found that pyridalyl and chromafenozide had shown more effects than that of thiodicarb. It can be concluded that pyridalyl and chromafenozide insecticides are more effective on the tomato fruitworms than thiodicarb. Therefore, it is recommended to use pyridalyl or chromafenozide insecticides along with the other control methods in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for the tomato fruitworms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biologicals and fungicides were evaluated for the control of grey mould in detached fruit in semi‐hydroponic strawberry cultivation. Bacillus subtilis (Serenade, Bio‐Baci, Bio‐Imune), B. amyloliquefaciens (No‐Nema), B. pumilus, B. velezensis (Bombardeiro, BTP 11–19 and BTP 135–19) were compared to the fungicide fluazinam in detached fruit assays. After treatment, fruits were inoculated with 30 μL of a 105 spores mL−1 suspension and incubated in a growth chamber. The relative risk for symptom expression in the treatments in relation to the control was estimated by survival analysis. In the field experiment, Serenade, No‐Nema, Bio‐Imune, Bombardeiro and BTP 11–19, the fungus Clonostachys rosea, procymidone, boscalid, fluazinam, pyrimethanil and cyprodinil + fludioxonil were tested. Biological products were sprayed every 7 days and fungicides at intervals of 14 days. Disease incidence (field and postharvest) and yield were evaluated. In the detached fruit assay, the fungicide fluazinam, followed by the biological products No‐Nema and Bio‐Imune, reduced the relative risk for symptom expression. In the field, cyprodinil + fludioxonil was the most efficacious at harvest. However, no differences in yield were observed. In postharvest, all fungicides in addition to C. rosea, No‐Nema and Bombardeiro reduced the incidence compared to the control during the main production peak (second), and cyprodinil + fludioxonil mixture was the most effective during the season. However, some biological products can be incorporated into an integrated management to reduce postharvest losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Small hive beetles (Aethina tumida) are a honey bee pest with few reliable in-hive chemical treatments available for beekeepers to use in the United States. Gel roach baits have been used off-label by commercial beekeepers as an alternative way to reduce small hive beetle populations. The objective of this study was to determine the toxicity of the active ingredients in gel roach baits to small hive beetles and honey bees (Apis mellifera) through topical exposure. In addition, we exposed small hive beetles to the active ingredients orally through pollen. All the active ingredients tested were more toxic to honey bees than to small hive beetles, except for fipronil, which was only slightly less toxic to honey bees than small hive beetles. The results of this study imply that gel roach baits should not be used in honey bee hives as small hive beetle treatments due to their toxicity to honey bees. Beekeepers need new treatment options for controlling small hive beetles (Aethina tumida), a devastating honey bee (Apis mellifera) pest. For many years, commercial beekeepers in the U.S. have used gel roach baits off-label as a method for treating SHBs. Herein, we evaluated the acute toxicity of active ingredients commonly found in gel roach baits, including abamectin, clothianidin, hydramethylnon, fipronil, and indoxacarb through topical and oral routes of exposure against SHBs and honey bees. Additionally, coumaphos, the active ingredient of the only registered in-hive control treatment for SHBs, was evaluated to provide a comparison to the gel roach bait active ingredients. Fipronil was the most toxic compound to SHBs topically (LD50 = 0.23 ng/SHB) and through pollen (LC50 = 0.06 µg/g pollen). Fipronil (LD50 = 0.31 ng/honey bee) had a selectivity ratio of 1.3, suggesting that it is more toxic to SHBs than it is to honey bees, but only to a small degree. Abamectin, clothianidin, hydramethylnon, and indoxacarb had a higher toxicity to honey bees than to SHBs through topical exposure. Our results suggest that gel roach baits and their active ingredients are toxic to honey bees and pose a serious risk to colony safety if used as in-hive treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological control agent Bacillus subtilis formulated as Theia is registered for control of fungal and bacterial diseases of fruit crops. Combinations of Theia and strategic concentrations of two demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides were investigated to explore potential synergisms. Bacteria were cultured in nutrient broth and combined with technical grades and two formulations of propiconazole (emulsifiable concentrate [EC] and wettable powder) and metconazole (EC and water-dispersible granule) at 0, IO, 50, 100, and 150 ug/ml of active ingredient. After cocultivation, the optical density (OD«x)) and colony forming units (CFU/ml) were evaluated. In contrast to EC formulations, the wettable powder or water-dispersible granule formulations at 10 or 50 pg/ml of both DMIs did not affect vegetative cell growth. The mixture of Theia and each formulated DMI at 50 ug/ml of active ingredient resulted in a significant reduction of Moniliniafructicola lesion development on apple, Colletotrichum siamense lesion development on cherry, and Botrytis cinerea lesion development on cherry. The combination of Theia with EC formulations showed weaker disease reduction due to antagonism. Only Theia plus non-EC formulated propiconazole and metconazole significantly reduced brown rot disease incidence of apple compared with the respective solo treatments and anthracnose disease incidence of cherry compared with the untreated control. Our results indicated that at least some DMI fungicides possess bactericidal effects depending on the formulation and concentration. The combination of Theia with a lower-than-label-rateconcentration (50 ug/ml) of the DMI fungicides propiconazole and metconazole showed potential for synergistic effects, especially when non-EC formulations were used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Peniophora salaccae (Russulales, Basidiomycota), a newly identified pathogen of Salacca zalacca, is a major cause of snake fruit rot, resulting in significant agricultural losses. This study evaluates the efficacy of chemical fungicides and biological controls against P. salaccae SKRU002, focusing on disease suppression and fruit quality preservation. Commercial fungicides (propiconazole®, prochloraz®, metalaxyl®, azoxystrobin®, thiram®) and Streptomyces philanthi strains RM-1-138 and RL-1-178 were tested. In vitro, prochloraz® (1000 μL mL−1) fully inhibited P. salaccae growth, outperforming other fungicides. Both S. philanthi strains exhibited strong antifungal activity through volatile and non-volatile compounds. Additionally, autoclaved (at 121 °C for 15 min) and diluted (1/1000) bacterial culture filtrates (BCF) from both strains achieved over 55 % inhibition of P. salaccae. In liquid culture, RM-1-138 (86.80 %) and RL-1-178 (80.86 %) demonstrated greater inhibition than metalaxyl® (9.34 %) and azoxystrobin® (56.84 %), though prochloraz® and propiconazole® remained the most effective (100 %). In vivo, untreated fruits inoculated with P. salaccae showed 100 % disease incidence, significant weight loss (13.28 %), color changes (L∗, a∗, and b∗), and reductions in total soluble solids, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity, while titratable acidity remained unchanged. Both biological and chemical treatments effectively controlled the pathogen and preserved fruit quality. These findings highlight the potential of S. philanthi strains and fungicides in managing P. salaccae, offering promising strategies for snake fruit cultivation.

ABSTRACT: Seed predation is a problem that limits the use of direct sowing of tree species, and it is necessary to develop studies involving products used in seed treatment. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of treatment with insecticides on the storage and germination of seeds of six forest species. Seeds were treated with thiamethoxam and cyantraniliprole and germinated on paper and sand substrates at 25 °C under constant light. For storage, the seeds were treated and analyzed at 0, 3 and 6 months. For both tests, the following variables were evaluated: germination, mortality, hard seeds, abnormal seedlings, average length of shoot and primary root, and germination speed index (GSI). For Senna multijuga, treatment with insecticides had no effect. Peltophorum dubium and Enterolobium contortisiliquum showed positive effects of the treatments on seedling vigor and development, while Guazuma ulmifolia displayed a negative effect on primary root length. Bowdichia virgilioides and Hymenaea courbaril seeds were sensitive to the treatments. It is possible to treat and store P. dubium and E. contortisiliquum seeds with thiamethoxam for up to six months.

Studies on herbicide selectivity to peanuts detected differences according to the evaluated active ingredient and genotypes. This study analyzed the herbicide selectivity of two genotypes at an early stage. Pre-emergence (trifluralin, pendimethalin, diclosulam, s-metolachlor, imazethapyr + flumioxazin, clomazone, sulfentrazone, and imazapic) and post-emergence (imazapic, bentazon, bentazon + imazamox, clethodim, quizalofop-p-ethyl, cloransulam-methyl, s-metolachlor, lactofen, 2,4-D, and carfentrazone) applications were assessed in 1253 OL and 2133 OL breeding lines. The effects of pre- (PRE) and post-emergence (POST) herbicides were the same for both genotypes, with PRE not affecting seedling emergence and shoot and root dry mass. Diclosulam was among the most selective PRE herbicides, while the clomazone treatment caused only mild damage. All tested POST herbicides caused damage for up to 14 days after application (DAA). At 28 DAA, most herbicides exhibited the same damage as the untreated control. Lactofen caused mild damage (11.8%) without reducing plant height and shoot and root dry mass. Diclosulam, clomazone, and lactofen are unregistered for peanut crops in Brazil, and further studies should test their selectivity for peanut cultivars. Screening studies on selectivity to imazapic, 2,4-D, and carfentrazone are also relevant to identifying sources of tolerance in peanut germplasm.

The almond tree, following the olive tree, holds the distinction of being the fruit species occupying the largest area in Morocco, spanning 128,000 ha and hosting 16 million trees. This sector holds immense socio-economic significance both nationally and globally. Despite its prominence, the almond tree faces severe phytosanitary challenges, prominently among them, the False tiger bug of the almond tree, Monosteira unicostata (Mulsant & Rey [Hemiptera: Tingidae]). This polyphagous, sedentary, and gregarious hemipteran, boasting five larval instars and typically generating four generations annually, exhibits a life cycle duration ranging from 2 to 3 months contingent on the season. This pest inflicts notable harm on almond tree leaves by extracting their chlorophyll content through its piercing mouthparts and depositing excrement, impeding respiratory function and adversely impacting fruit development, maturation, and overall production. Diverse control strategies have been implemented to tackle this issue, commencing with prophylaxis involving resistant varieties and sound agricultural practices. Subsequently, biological control methods leveraging natural enemies such as Piocoris luridus and species from families including Coccinellidae, Anthocoridae, Lygaeidae, Miridae, and Nabidae have been employed. Plant-based biopesticides such as azadirachtin (Azadirachta indica), thyme oil (Thymus zygis), Jatropha oil (Jatropha curcas), and concentrated extracts of Artemisia absinthium, as well as mineral-based approaches involving treated kaolin sprays through particle film technology, contribute to the arsenal of control measures. In cases of severe infestations, synthetic active ingredients such as organophosphates, pyrethroids, carbamates, abamectin, and deltamethrin, among others, have proven efficacy in managing this pest.

Industrial hemp is a continuously expanding crop; however, there has been limited research on its herbicide selectivity and weed control. Pendimethalin, s-metolachlor and aclonifen at 1137.5, 960 and 1800 g a.i. ha−1, respectively, were applied in field experiments in 2022 and 2023 in Greece to study the response of industrial hemp to pre-emergence (PRE) herbicides and record their efficacy on weeds. In 2023, each PRE herbicide was followed by the postemergence application of cycloxydim at 200 g a.i. ha−1 due to infestation of Sorghum halepense. In 2022, retardation in hemp growth was recorded by all PRE herbicide treatments, with there being a slight reduction in stand counts by pendimethalin and s-metolachlor and leaf yellowing by aclonifen in one the experiments. In 2023, no reductions in crop establishment and plant height were recorded, whereas leaf discoloration caused by aclonifen was less evident; cycloxydim did not affect hemp and perfectly controlled S. halepense. Despite the herbicide injury, hemp recovered and succeeded in higher biomass in both experiments at Thessaloniki and in higher seed production in the 2023 Thessaloniki experiment. This study showed that pendimethalin, s-metolachlor and aclonifen can be regarded as potential pre-emergence options with precautions in wet and light soils.

Myxomycetes (plasmodial slime molds) are eukaryotic protist predators that are associated with wood, leaf litter, and soil in forests, where they feed on bacteria, protozoans, and (to a more limited extent) fungi. The health of crop plants is essential because they represent a primary food source for humans. However, when myxomycetes produce numerous fruiting bodies on the stems and leaves of crop plants, which is herein referred to as a myxomycete colonization, this has the potential of interfering with plant photosynthesis, transpiration and respiration by blocking out light and covering stomata. Myxomycetes are not pathogens, but their occurrence on plants can be mistakenly interpreted as some type of infection. However, this phenomenon has been largely ignored. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the taxonomic and economic diversity of the organisms involved in myxomycete colonization. In addition, the various types of myxomycete colonization reported in the literature are described and discussed, a number of images provided, and cultural and chemical prevention and control measures are summarized. The latter should be of significant relevance for local production of crops and plant protective stations. While myxomycetes are not pathogens of crop plants, some species can seriously impact commercially grown mushrooms. Reports of myxomycetes affecting mushrooms are also described in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial hemp is a continuously expanding crop; however, there has been limited research on its herbicide selectivity and weed control. Pendimethalin, s-metolachlor and aclonifen at 1137.5, 960 and 1800 g a.i. ha−1, respectively, were applied in field experiments in 2022 and 2023 in Greece to study the response of industrial hemp to pre-emergence (PRE) herbicides and record their efficacy on weeds. In 2023, each PRE herbicide was followed by the postemergence application of cycloxydim at 200 g a.i. ha−1 due to infestation of Sorghum halepense. In 2022, retardation in hemp growth was recorded by all PRE herbicide treatments, with there being a slight reduction in stand counts by pendimethalin and s-metolachlor and leaf yellowing by aclonifen in one the experiments. In 2023, no reductions in crop establishment and plant height were recorded, whereas leaf discoloration caused by aclonifen was less evident; cycloxydim did not affect hemp and perfectly controlled S. halepense. Despite the herbicide injury, hemp recovered and succeeded in higher biomass in both experiments at Thessaloniki and in higher seed production in the 2023 Thessaloniki experiment. This study showed that pendimethalin, s-metolachlor and aclonifen can be regarded as potential pre-emergence options with precautions in wet and light soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work evaluated if strategic control based on no more than three or four annual treatments is useful to control Rhipicephalus microplus infestations on cattle when it is applied to intensive rotational grazing and silvopastoral systems with high stocking rates in subtropical areas. In the intensive rotational grazing system, three annual treatments with chemical acaricides were applied on cattle in two different schemes: between spring and early summer and from late winter and late spring. Strategic control based on three treatments with chemical acaricides from late winter to late spring plus an additional fourth treatment in summer was tested in the silvopastoral system. In the intensive rotational grazing systems, the control schemes allow to reach a significant reduction in the tick load on cattle considering a time interval from spring to autumn. However, the efficacy levels were not high enough in some specific moments, namely, the tick counts of summer and autumn (there were not significant differences between treated and control groups). The scheme evaluated in the silvopastoral grazing system yielded better results than those tested for the intensive rotational system, because significant differences in tick load between treated and control groups were observed in all post-treatment counts and when the analysis was performed for the whole study period. However, values of efficacy in the count-by-count comparison were disparate, ranging from 64.1 to 99.7. Although the efficacy values obtained in the silvopastoral system were better than those of the rotational grazing systems, the total tick load on treated cattle in autumn was not low enough (mean abundance values 25.14 and 38.14). Ticks were more evenly distributed among hosts in late summer and autumn than in spring or early summer, where few hosts carry most of the ticks. Some management strategies as intensive rotational systems or silvopastoral structures can lead to a more efficient forage use, but they imply greater tick challenge than in extensive grazing systems. In these situations, the schemes of strategic control bases on three or four annual treatments should be complemented with additional tactical treatments in late summer or autumn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to screen fungicides with good inhibitory effect on pathogens carried by soybean seeds in Inner Mongolia, the sensitivity of four genera isolated from the interior of soybean seeds and eight genera isolated from the surface of soybean seeds to fungicides with different modes of action was measured by mycelium growth rate method. The results showed that the three 14α-demethylase inhibitors prochloraz, tebuconazole, and mefentrifluconazole had a good inhibitory effect on all tested strains, among which mefentrifluconazole had the strongest inhibitory efficacy with the EC50 values against all tested pathogens less than 3.73 μg/mL. The succinic dehydrogenase inhibitor fluopyram had a good inhibitory effect on some pathogens. The mitochondrial complex III inhibitor azoxystrobin showed a good inhibitory effect on most pathogens except Alternaria and Boeremia, with the EC50 values ranging from 0.01 to 5.53 μg/mL. The EC50 values of uncoupling inhibitor fluazinam against other pathogens were all less than 3.39 μg/mL, except for Plectosphaella isolated from the seed interior. Carbendazim and fludioxonil had good inhibitory effects on most pathogens but had poor inhibitory effects on Alternaria and Plectosphaella. In summary, it is recommended to use the compound of 14αdemethylation inhibitors such as prochloraz, tebuconazole, mefentrifluconazole, and other agents for seed treatment to control the diseases caused by soybean seed-borne pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]