Pub Date : 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107554
Igor Henrique de Lima Costa , Gloria Emperatriz Suqui Carchi , Isabela Schneid Kroning , Maria Fernanda Fernandes Siqueira , Frederico Schmitt Kremer , Wladimir Padilha da Silva , Cândida Renata Jacobsen de Farias , Alvaro Renato Guerra Dias
This study reports the first case of Alternaria alternata causing soft rot in pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) fruits in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Symptomatic fruits were collected from a commercial orchard, and the pathogen was isolated, characterized both morphologically and molecularly (using ITS, GAPDH, and TEF-1α loci), and tested for pathogenicity. The colonies exhibited mycelial growth of 5.24 ± 0.35 cm after 7 days and 8.08 ± 0.37 cm after 14 days, with olive gray centers and light brown edges. The obclavate or obpyriform conidia had transverse (1–6) and longitudinal (0–3) septa, with a short apical tip (5–22.5 μm). Molecular analysis revealed 100 % similarity with A. alternata sequences in GenBank, confirming the pathogen via phylogenetic analysis. Pathogenicity tests produced dark brown, depressed lesions with a clear halo, characteristic of the disease, confirming Koch's postulates. The 100 % incidence in commercial fruit crops resulted in significant economic losses, exacerbated by favorable weather conditions. Thus, this study presents the first evidence of A. alternata associated with post-harvest soft rot in pitaya fruits in Brazil, underscoring the need for management strategies to reduce waste and economic losses along the production chain.
{"title":"First report of Alternaria alternata causing soft rot in pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) fruits in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil","authors":"Igor Henrique de Lima Costa , Gloria Emperatriz Suqui Carchi , Isabela Schneid Kroning , Maria Fernanda Fernandes Siqueira , Frederico Schmitt Kremer , Wladimir Padilha da Silva , Cândida Renata Jacobsen de Farias , Alvaro Renato Guerra Dias","doi":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107554","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107554","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study reports the first case of <em>Alternaria alternata</em> causing soft rot in pitaya (<em>Hylocereus polyrhizus</em>) fruits in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Symptomatic fruits were collected from a commercial orchard, and the pathogen was isolated, characterized both morphologically and molecularly (using ITS, GAPDH, and TEF-1α <em>loci</em>), and tested for pathogenicity. The colonies exhibited mycelial growth of 5.24 ± 0.35 cm after 7 days and 8.08 ± 0.37 cm after 14 days, with olive gray centers and light brown edges. The obclavate or obpyriform conidia had transverse (1–6) and longitudinal (0–3) septa, with a short apical tip (5–22.5 μm). Molecular analysis revealed 100 % similarity with <em>A. alternata</em> sequences in GenBank, confirming the pathogen via phylogenetic analysis. Pathogenicity tests produced dark brown, depressed lesions with a clear halo, characteristic of the disease, confirming Koch's postulates. The 100 % incidence in commercial fruit crops resulted in significant economic losses, exacerbated by favorable weather conditions. Thus, this study presents the first evidence of <em>A. alternata</em> associated with post-harvest soft rot in pitaya fruits in Brazil, underscoring the need for management strategies to reduce waste and economic losses along the production chain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10785,"journal":{"name":"Crop Protection","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 107554"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146071655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Spodoptera frugiperda is an agricultural pest that has spread to several regions, with frequent reports of populations resistant to synthetic insecticides. Consequently, there is an increasing number of studies seeking novel control strategies compatible with beneficial organisms. This study aimed to: (i) evaluate the toxicity of Ocimum basilicum essential oil (EO) to S. frugiperda; (ii) chemically characterize O. basilicum EO; (iii) determine the toxicity of the EO's major compound to S. frugiperda; and (iv) assess selectivity of EO toward Telenomus remus. The EO was toxic to second-instar caterpillars (LD50 = 13.36 μg of EO/caterpillar). Methyl chavicol was identified as the major compound (86.14 %) in EO and exhibited toxicity to S. frugiperda. The EO reduced the emergence of T. remus in the F2 and F3 generations when exposed during the egg and pupal stages within the natural host and was classified as harmless to slightly harmful according to the IOBC scale, without affecting parasitism rates. The sex ratio was reduced. The O. basilicum EO caused 100 % mortality in adult female T. remus. In conclusion, O. basilicum EO is toxic to S. frugiperda and induces transgenerational effects on T. remus emergence during the egg and pupal stages, while exhibiting high toxicity to adult females. These findings indicate that O. basilicum EO is compatible with T. remus during its immature stages and underscore the need for application strategies that prevent exposure of adult parasitoids in IPM programs.
{"title":"Toxicity of Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae) essential oil to Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its selectivity for Telenomus remus Nixon, 1937 (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)","authors":"Alejandro Sandria Díaz , Thalita Zanquetta Luz , Gabriel Ribeiro Mendes , Eliana Donizate Andrade , Suzan Kelly Vilela Bertolucci , Dejane Santos Alves , Geraldo Andrade Carvalho","doi":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107551","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107551","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Spodoptera frugiperda</em> is an agricultural pest that has spread to several regions, with frequent reports of populations resistant to synthetic insecticides. Consequently, there is an increasing number of studies seeking novel control strategies compatible with beneficial organisms. This study aimed to: (i) evaluate the toxicity of <em>Ocimum basilicum</em> essential oil (EO) to <em>S. frugiperda</em>; (ii) chemically characterize <em>O. basilicum</em> EO; (iii) determine the toxicity of the EO's major compound to <em>S. frugiperda</em>; and (iv) assess selectivity of EO toward <em>Telenomus remus</em>. The EO was toxic to second-instar caterpillars (LD<sub>50</sub> = 13.36 μg of EO/caterpillar). Methyl chavicol was identified as the major compound (86.14 %) in EO and exhibited toxicity to <em>S. frugiperda</em>. The EO reduced the emergence of <em>T. remus</em> in the F<sub>2</sub> and F<sub>3</sub> generations when exposed during the egg and pupal stages within the natural host and was classified as harmless to slightly harmful according to the IOBC scale, without affecting parasitism rates. The sex ratio was reduced. The <em>O. basilicum</em> EO caused 100 % mortality in adult female <em>T. remus</em>. In conclusion, <em>O. basilicum</em> EO is toxic to <em>S. frugiperda</em> and induces transgenerational effects on <em>T. remus</em> emergence during the egg and pupal stages, while exhibiting high toxicity to adult females. These findings indicate that <em>O. basilicum</em> EO is compatible with <em>T. remus</em> during its immature stages and underscore the need for application strategies that prevent exposure of adult parasitoids in IPM programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10785,"journal":{"name":"Crop Protection","volume":"203 ","pages":"Article 107551"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107553
Fabio Marino , Linda Abenaim , Giuseppe Conte , Daniele Marraccini , Priscilla Farina , Barbara Conti
The poinsettia thrips, Echinothrips americanus Morgan, 1313, is an invasive pest native to North America. The species attacks various protected ornamental and crop plants causing extensive foliage damage. Severe infestations have recently occurred in greenhouses specialized in Hibiscus spp. cultivation in Central Italy. Given the currently limited possibility for its integrated management, we evaluated the efficacy of three commercial biological control agents: the mite Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor, 1954), the bug Orius laevigatus (Fieber, 1860), and the nematode Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev, 1934). Our trials were conducted in Huffaker cages under laboratory conditions, using E. americanus second-instar larvae as prey/host. For the first two biological control agents, we assessed predation efficiency and predation latency times. For the nematode, we determined the parasitization efficacy and optimal treatment concentration. For N. californicus, we observed a predation rate of 50.52% after 48 h and predation activity beginning after a mean of 3 h and 53 min. Orius laevigatus provided a predation rate of 73.75% after 12 h and started preying after a mean time of 7 min and 31 s. The nematode, at the tested concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 infective juveniles cm−2 of leaf, showed a parasitization rate after 72 h of 46.59, 79.97, and 93.32%, respectively. In conclusion, O. laevigatus and S. feltiae are more effective as biological control agents against E. americanus. Given their different biology and behaviour, the integrated adoption of both agents for inundative release could be a valid solution for managing E. americanus in greenhouse hibiscus cultivation.
一品红蓟马，Echinothrips americanus Morgan, 1313，是一种原产于北美的入侵害虫。该物种攻击各种受保护的观赏植物和农作物，造成广泛的叶片损害。最近在意大利中部专门种植木槿的温室中发生了严重的虫害。鉴于目前对其综合管理的可能性有限，我们评估了三种商业生物防治剂的效果：加利福尼亚新小绥螨（McGregor, 1954），臭虫laevigatus （Fieber, 1860）和线虫斯坦纳马feltiae （Filipjev, 1934）。本试验在实验室条件下的Huffaker笼中进行，以美洲大蠊二龄幼虫为猎物/寄主。对于前两种生物防治剂，我们评估了捕食效率和捕食潜伏期。对于线虫，我们确定了寄生效果和最佳处理浓度。加州小蠊在48 h后的捕食率为50.52%，平均在3 h 53 min后开始捕食活动。12 h后，黑褐家鼠的捕食率为73.75%，平均捕食时间为7 min 31 s。在叶片50、100和150个侵染幼体的浓度下，72 h后的寄生率分别为46.59%、79.97%和93.32%。综上所述，对美洲大蠊的生物防治效果较好。鉴于它们不同的生物学和行为，综合采用这两种药剂进行淹没释放可能是管理温室木槿种植美洲大蠊的有效解决方案。
{"title":"The mite, the bug, and the nematode: Assessing the efficacy of three biological control agents against Echinothrips americanus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)","authors":"Fabio Marino , Linda Abenaim , Giuseppe Conte , Daniele Marraccini , Priscilla Farina , Barbara Conti","doi":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107553","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107553","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The poinsettia thrips, <em>Echinothrips americanus</em> Morgan, 1313, is an invasive pest native to North America. The species attacks various protected ornamental and crop plants causing extensive foliage damage. Severe infestations have recently occurred in greenhouses specialized in <em>Hibiscus</em> spp. cultivation in Central Italy. Given the currently limited possibility for its integrated management, we evaluated the efficacy of three commercial biological control agents: the mite <em>Neoseiulus californicus</em> (McGregor, 1954), the bug <em>Orius laevigatus</em> (Fieber, 1860)<em>,</em> and the nematode <em>Steinernema feltiae</em> (Filipjev, 1934). Our trials were conducted in Huffaker cages under laboratory conditions, using <em>E. americanus</em> second-instar larvae as prey/host. For the first two biological control agents, we assessed predation efficiency and predation latency times. For the nematode, we determined the parasitization efficacy and optimal treatment concentration. For <em>N. californicus</em>, we observed a predation rate of 50.52% after 48 h and predation activity beginning after a mean of 3 h and 53 min. <em>Orius laevigatus</em> provided a predation rate of 73.75% after 12 h and started preying after a mean time of 7 min and 31 s. The nematode, at the tested concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 infective juveniles cm<sup>−2</sup> of leaf, showed a parasitization rate after 72 h of 46.59, 79.97, and 93.32%, respectively. In conclusion, <em>O. laevigatus</em> and <em>S. feltiae</em> are more effective as biological control agents against <em>E. americanus</em>. Given their different biology and behaviour, the integrated adoption of both agents for inundative release could be a valid solution for managing <em>E. americanus</em> in greenhouse hibiscus cultivation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10785,"journal":{"name":"Crop Protection","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 107553"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146071656","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cotton production in Bangladesh faces significant pest management challenges, with farmers relying heavily on chemical pesticides. This study investigated 247 cotton farmers' perceptions and practices regarding pesticide use and their willingness to pay for insect-resistant Bt cotton. Perceptions were assessed using a five-point Likert scale (Cronbach's α = 0.76), complemented by data on pesticide practices and Bt cotton adoption potential, collected in 2022. Results revealed substantial perception-practice gaps: while 96% recognized health risks from excessive pesticide use, only 77% used personal protective equipment. Critical knowledge deficits were evident, with only 68.4% understanding stage-specific application requirements and 53.4% aware that insect-resistant varieties reduce pesticide costs. Most farmers (55%) relied on peer consultation rather than extension services for pesticide application decisions. Concerning disposal practices prevailed, with 39.7% burying containers and 30% leaving them in fields. Despite chemical reliance, farmers demonstrated high adoption of nature-based practices, particularly pheromone traps (89.5%) and removal of affected parts (84.6%). Regarding Bt cotton, 86% expressed willingness to adopt at current prices, declining to 52.5% at 50% premium, revealing severe price sensitivity. Findings highlight critical gaps between risk awareness and safety practices. Realizing Bt cotton adoption potential requires intensive extension programming addressing knowledge deficits, improved waste management infrastructure, and financial support for resource-constrained smallholder farmers.
{"title":"Pesticide perceptions, practices, and Bt cotton adoption potential among Bangladeshi cotton farmers","authors":"Md. Hayder Khan Sujan , Sharif Ahammad , Mohammad Mizanul Haque Kazal , Monira Sultana , Md. Akhteruzzaman","doi":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107548","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107548","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cotton production in Bangladesh faces significant pest management challenges, with farmers relying heavily on chemical pesticides. This study investigated 247 cotton farmers' perceptions and practices regarding pesticide use and their willingness to pay for insect-resistant Bt cotton. Perceptions were assessed using a five-point Likert scale (Cronbach's α = 0.76), complemented by data on pesticide practices and Bt cotton adoption potential, collected in 2022. Results revealed substantial perception-practice gaps: while 96% recognized health risks from excessive pesticide use, only 77% used personal protective equipment. Critical knowledge deficits were evident, with only 68.4% understanding stage-specific application requirements and 53.4% aware that insect-resistant varieties reduce pesticide costs. Most farmers (55%) relied on peer consultation rather than extension services for pesticide application decisions. Concerning disposal practices prevailed, with 39.7% burying containers and 30% leaving them in fields. Despite chemical reliance, farmers demonstrated high adoption of nature-based practices, particularly pheromone traps (89.5%) and removal of affected parts (84.6%). Regarding Bt cotton, 86% expressed willingness to adopt at current prices, declining to 52.5% at 50% premium, revealing severe price sensitivity. Findings highlight critical gaps between risk awareness and safety practices. Realizing Bt cotton adoption potential requires intensive extension programming addressing knowledge deficits, improved waste management infrastructure, and financial support for resource-constrained smallholder farmers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10785,"journal":{"name":"Crop Protection","volume":"203 ","pages":"Article 107548"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-24DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107550
Jingtian Xue , Yao Huang , Houding Ou , Yi Mao , Ang Li , Liang Wang , Maofa Yang
The tobacco moth Ephestia elutella is a major pest of stored tobacco, and its management with conventional chemical insecticides faces increasing challenges owing to resistance and environmental risks. The parasitic wasp Habrobracon hebetor shows strong potential as a biological control agent, although its efficacy depends on host adaptability. This study systematically evaluated the E. elutella control performance of H. hebetor populations reared on two hosts, Corcyra cephalonica and E. elutella, with experiments conducted in the laboratory and tobacco warehouses. In laboratory assays, the H. hebetor population reared on C. cephalonica caused significantly higher host paralysis and E. elutella parasitism rates compared with the population reared on E. elutella (P < 0.05). In cage trials in a tobacco warehouse, the C. cephalonica–reared population showed superior performance at a low wasp-to-host ratio (4:80), achieving a greater paralysis rate, higher progeny production, and a larger proportion of female offspring. Field trials in an operational warehouse setting demonstrated that the cumulative control effect of released H. hebetor on E. elutella increased from 76.63 % to 90.99 % with successive releases. Overall, these findings show that using C. cephalonica as an alternative host not only supports H. hebetor mass rearing but also enhances its pest control efficiency and reproductive output through host switching. Moreover, this study provides theoretical and technical support for optimizing H. hebetor applications in integrated pest management strategies targeting tobacco storage.
{"title":"Effect of host switching on the parasitic performance of Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) against Ephestia elutella in stored tobacco","authors":"Jingtian Xue , Yao Huang , Houding Ou , Yi Mao , Ang Li , Liang Wang , Maofa Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107550","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107550","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The tobacco moth <em>Ephestia elutella</em> is a major pest of stored tobacco, and its management with conventional chemical insecticides faces increasing challenges owing to resistance and environmental risks. The parasitic wasp <em>Habrobracon hebetor</em> shows strong potential as a biological control agent, although its efficacy depends on host adaptability. This study systematically evaluated the <em>E. elutella</em> control performance of <em>H. hebetor</em> populations reared on two hosts, <em>Corcyra cephalonica</em> and <em>E. elutella</em>, with experiments conducted in the laboratory and tobacco warehouses. In laboratory assays, the <em>H. hebetor</em> population reared on <em>C. cephalonica</em> caused significantly higher host paralysis and <em>E. elutella</em> parasitism rates compared with the population reared on <em>E. elutella</em> (<em>P</em> < 0.05). In cage trials in a tobacco warehouse, the <em>C. cephalonica–</em>reared population showed superior performance at a low wasp-to-host ratio (4:80), achieving a greater paralysis rate, higher progeny production, and a larger proportion of female offspring. Field trials in an operational warehouse setting demonstrated that the cumulative control effect of released <em>H. hebetor</em> on <em>E. elutella</em> increased from 76.63 % to 90.99 % with successive releases. Overall, these findings show that using <em>C. cephalonica</em> as an alternative host not only supports <em>H. hebetor</em> mass rearing but also enhances its pest control efficiency and reproductive output through host switching. Moreover, this study provides theoretical and technical support for optimizing <em>H. hebetor</em> applications in integrated pest management strategies targeting tobacco storage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10785,"journal":{"name":"Crop Protection","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 107550"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146048226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107549
Charles Martins de Oliveira , Tiago dos Santos Pereira , Larissa Pereira Mouro , Maria Cristina Canale
Maize is a major global cereal due to its high yield, adaptability, and wide use in food, industry, and energy. It plays a key role in combating food scarcity, especially in food-insecure countries. Brazil ranks third in maize production and is a leading exporter, contributing to global supply chains. Since 2015, however, Brazil has been increasingly threatened by corn stunt diseases, whose pathogens [maize bushy stunt phytoplasma (MBSP) and corn stunt spiroplasma (CSS)] are transmitted by the corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). These diseases have no curative treatment and can lead to total crop failure in highly susceptible hybrids under high incidence conditions. In this study, it was estimated the economic and production losses associated with corn stunt diseases in Brazil using official data and field surveys conducted with stakeholders in the maize production sector. The findings indicate that corn stunt diseases led to an average production loss of 22.7 % between 2020 and 2024, equivalent to approximately 31.8 million tonnes annually, resulting in an estimated average annual financial loss of 6.5 billion dollars. Insecticide application costs for controlling D. maidis rose 19 % (2020/21–2023/24), exceeding 9 dollars per hectare. These results highlight the substantial impact of corn stunt diseases on maize production and reinforce the need for robust monitoring systems, systematic loss evaluations, and coordinated efforts across the production chain to mitigate their effects and adapt to ongoing challenges posed by this complex pathosystem.
{"title":"A disease complex: crop losses and economic impact of corn stunt diseases on Brazilian corn production","authors":"Charles Martins de Oliveira , Tiago dos Santos Pereira , Larissa Pereira Mouro , Maria Cristina Canale","doi":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107549","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107549","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maize is a major global cereal due to its high yield, adaptability, and wide use in food, industry, and energy. It plays a key role in combating food scarcity, especially in food-insecure countries. Brazil ranks third in maize production and is a leading exporter, contributing to global supply chains. Since 2015, however, Brazil has been increasingly threatened by corn stunt diseases, whose pathogens [maize bushy stunt phytoplasma (MBSP) and corn stunt spiroplasma (CSS)] are transmitted by the corn leafhopper <em>Dalbulus maidis</em> (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). These diseases have no curative treatment and can lead to total crop failure in highly susceptible hybrids under high incidence conditions. In this study, it was estimated the economic and production losses associated with corn stunt diseases in Brazil using official data and field surveys conducted with stakeholders in the maize production sector. The findings indicate that corn stunt diseases led to an average production loss of 22.7 % between 2020 and 2024, equivalent to approximately 31.8 million tonnes annually, resulting in an estimated average annual financial loss of 6.5 billion dollars. Insecticide application costs for controlling <em>D. maidis</em> rose 19 % (2020/21–2023/24), exceeding 9 dollars per hectare. These results highlight the substantial impact of corn stunt diseases on maize production and reinforce the need for robust monitoring systems, systematic loss evaluations, and coordinated efforts across the production chain to mitigate their effects and adapt to ongoing challenges posed by this complex pathosystem.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10785,"journal":{"name":"Crop Protection","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 107549"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146033225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107546
Jūratė Ramanauskienė, Roma Semaškienė, Akvilė Jonavičienė, Yuliia Kochiieru, Eimantas Venslovas, Karolina Lavrukaitė, Mohammad Almogdad, Aurimas Sabeckis
Fungal diseases represent a major threat to wheat, causing significant quantitative and qualitative grain yield losses. The use of fungicides is an important factor that provides a high level of disease control, helps increase crop yields, and ensures stability of production, but environmental and health risks necessitate foundational strategies for fungal disease management. One of them could be use of resistant cultivars. A field experiment was conducted over four growing seasons (2016–2019). Six spring wheat cultivars were evaluated to assess the effects of cultivar resistance on disease severity. Cultivar resistance significantly influenced disease outcomes: powdery mildew area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) values ranged from 68.04 to 342.28, while tan spot ranged from 45.03 to 163.44. These results showed that the choice of less susceptible varieties could significantly reduce disease severity by 72.4–80.1 %. Fusarium head blight indexes (FHBi) ranged from 0.03 to 13.62 %, showing a 99.8 % difference between extreme cultivars. A moderate positive correlation (p < 0.01) was observed between the FHBi and the percentage of Fusarium-infected kernels (FIK), while FIK and deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination showed only weak correlation. The effectiveness of fungicides varied by cultivar, with sensitive cultivars showing higher yield responses (+24.6 %) than disease resistant cultivars (+13.5 %). These results demonstrate that strategic cultivar selection can substantially reduce disease impact while optimizing chemical inputs.
{"title":"Effects of spring wheat cultivar resistance on leaf and Fusarium head blight diseases and deoxynivalenol content in Lithuania","authors":"Jūratė Ramanauskienė, Roma Semaškienė, Akvilė Jonavičienė, Yuliia Kochiieru, Eimantas Venslovas, Karolina Lavrukaitė, Mohammad Almogdad, Aurimas Sabeckis","doi":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107546","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107546","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fungal diseases represent a major threat to wheat, causing significant quantitative and qualitative grain yield losses. The use of fungicides is an important factor that provides a high level of disease control, helps increase crop yields, and ensures stability of production, but environmental and health risks necessitate foundational strategies for fungal disease management. One of them could be use of resistant cultivars. A field experiment was conducted over four growing seasons (2016–2019). Six spring wheat cultivars were evaluated to assess the effects of cultivar resistance on disease severity. Cultivar resistance significantly influenced disease outcomes: powdery mildew area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) values ranged from 68.04 to 342.28, while tan spot ranged from 45.03 to 163.44. These results showed that the choice of less susceptible varieties could significantly reduce disease severity by 72.4–80.1 %. Fusarium head blight indexes (FHBi) ranged from 0.03 to 13.62 %, showing a 99.8 % difference between extreme cultivars. A moderate positive correlation (p < 0.01) was observed between the FHBi and the percentage of Fusarium-infected kernels (FIK), while FIK and deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination showed only weak correlation. The effectiveness of fungicides varied by cultivar, with sensitive cultivars showing higher yield responses (+24.6 %) than disease resistant cultivars (+13.5 %). These results demonstrate that strategic cultivar selection can substantially reduce disease impact while optimizing chemical inputs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10785,"journal":{"name":"Crop Protection","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 107546"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146033226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107542
Estefania Aguirre-Zapata , Humberto Morales , Fernando di Sciascio , Adriana N. Amicarelli
Mathematical models are essential tools for understanding and predicting the development of insect pests under variable environmental conditions. In the case of Lobesia botrana, several modeling approaches have been proposed over the past few decades, ranging from empirical models based on thermal sums to mechanistic formulations (first-principles-based models) that incorporate physiological age, photoperiod, and host phenology. This review examines the primary modeling strategies developed for this species, highlighting conceptual advances, limitations, and areas where further integration is required. This paper examines how these models represent temperature-driven development, mortality, and stage transitions, as well as how they address biological processes such as overlapping generations, environmental plasticity, and developmental thresholds. It also highlights the challenges of transferring models between regions with different climatic and phenological conditions. As a case study, we compare the predictions of four representative models using capture data from a vineyard in the southern hemisphere for the 2020–2021 season. The results show that model performance depends not only on structure or complexity, but on the capacity to integrate biological knowledge in a modular and interpretable way. The importance of flexible easily applicable modeling frameworks that allow for adaptation to local conditions and enable transparent, ecologically and economically meaningful pest predictions is emphasized.
{"title":"Trends in mathematical modeling of Lobesia botrana growth and voltinism: A comparative review","authors":"Estefania Aguirre-Zapata , Humberto Morales , Fernando di Sciascio , Adriana N. Amicarelli","doi":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107542","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cropro.2026.107542","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mathematical models are essential tools for understanding and predicting the development of insect pests under variable environmental conditions. In the case of <em>Lobesia botrana</em>, several modeling approaches have been proposed over the past few decades, ranging from empirical models based on thermal sums to mechanistic formulations (first-principles-based models) that incorporate physiological age, photoperiod, and host phenology. This review examines the primary modeling strategies developed for this species, highlighting conceptual advances, limitations, and areas where further integration is required. This paper examines how these models represent temperature-driven development, mortality, and stage transitions, as well as how they address biological processes such as overlapping generations, environmental plasticity, and developmental thresholds. It also highlights the challenges of transferring models between regions with different climatic and phenological conditions. As a case study, we compare the predictions of four representative models using capture data from a vineyard in the southern hemisphere for the 2020–2021 season. The results show that model performance depends not only on structure or complexity, but on the capacity to integrate biological knowledge in a modular and interpretable way. The importance of flexible easily applicable modeling frameworks that allow for adaptation to local conditions and enable transparent, ecologically and economically meaningful pest predictions is emphasized.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10785,"journal":{"name":"Crop Protection","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 107542"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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