Biological Control最新文献

{"title":"CSIRO European Laboratory: Weed warriors, pest planners, and dung diplomacy − benefits of 60 years of native range research for effective biological control agents to Australia","authors":"Vincent Lesieur ,&nbsp;Alberto Zamprogna,&nbsp;Mireille Jourdan,&nbsp;Thierry Thomann,&nbsp;Jean-Pierre Lumaret,&nbsp;José Serin,&nbsp;Andy W. Sheppard","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105926","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105926","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Classical biological control of weeds and pests has been practiced for over 120 years around the world resulting in huge benefits to agriculture and the environment from effective landscape control of invasive alien pests and weeds using risk assessed and deliberately introduced beneficial biological control agents. A classical biological control approach requires the sourcing, scientific evaluation and risk assessment of potential biological control agents from the native ranges of these invasive pests and weeds. The longest running research program for such native range biological control research in Australia has been focussed on managing pests and weeds of European origin, based out of the CSIRO European Laboratory in Montpellier France since 1966. This paper reviews the scientific achievements of this facility-based program and its associated research teams and the success rates and economic and environmental beneficial impacts for Australia over the last 60 years. Scientific achievements include a) fundamental advances in biological control theory and practice that have since been adopted around the world, b) the first ever successfully released and impactful plant pathogen weed biological control agent, c) the first ever comprehensive pre-border risk evaluation of a priority plant pest, Russian wheat aphid, including pre-emptively screening Australia wheat and barley varieties for resistance, preparing Australia for its arrival in 2016, d) the successful collection, evaluation, culturing and importations of 16 dung beetle species into Australia for the management of dung accumulation and the management of livestock parasites contained therein, and e) case by case understanding of the ecological basis for the invasions by many invasive plants of European origin into Australian ecosystems that have underpinned subsequent control strategies. In terms of benefit back to Australia, these research activities have led to a) the successful and widespread control of five agricultural weeds (<em>Carduus nutans</em>, <em>Chondrilla juncea</em>, <em>Echium plantagineum</em>, <em>Rumex pulcher</em>, and <em>Senecio jacobaea</em>) and one environmental weed (<em>Genista monspessulana</em>), as well as the partial control of three agricultural weeds (<em>Hypericum perforatum</em>, <em>Onopordum</em> spp., and <em>Rubus fruticosus</em>) and three environmental weeds (<em>Cytisus scoparius</em>, <em>Marrubium vulgare</em>, and <em>Rubus fruticosus</em>) in Australia, b) AU$1.43 billion in economic agricultural benefits back to Australia creating a return on investment of 27:1, c) the effective management of livestock dung in many temperate and Mediterranean areas of Australia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 105926"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145569857","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}

{"title":"Native Bacillus subtilis strains cultivated in a low-cost medium enhance maize growth and suppress seed-borne fungi by defense activation and rhizosphere colonization","authors":"César E. Falconí ,&nbsp;Viviana Yánez-Mendizábal ,&nbsp;Stephen B. Goodwin ,&nbsp;C.D. Cruz","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105923","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105923","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We evaluated two native <em>Bacillus subtilis</em> strains (CtpxS2-1 and CtpxS3-5) cultivated in low-cost DSF40–MOL5 medium as seed inoculants for maize (<em>Zea mays</em>). This study extends previous work by integrating molecular, physiological, and ecological endpoints under greenhouse conditions. Seed treatment with these strains enhanced germination rates and seedling vigor, suppressed seed-borne fungal pathogens, and promoted systemic defense responses. Quantitative RT-qPCR revealed upregulation of defense-related genes (<em>PR-1, PR-4, SOD-2</em>) and growth regulators (<em>ZmYUC1, PIN-3</em>), while biochemical assays confirmed increased auxin, chlorophyll, and antioxidant enzyme activities resulting in greater shoot and root biomass. Longitudinal monitoring demonstrated sustained rhizosphere colonization at the root apex and improved plant height and chlorophyll index over 90 days. These findings highlight DSF40-MOL5 as a cost-effective formulation enabling scalable <em>Bacillus</em>-based bioinoculants for sustainable maize production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 105923"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145569856","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}

{"title":"Performance of the predatory stink bug Arma custos against the tea tussock moth, Euproctis pseudoconspersa","authors":"Yin-Lin Mu ,&nbsp;Jun-Yi Gao ,&nbsp;Shuai Wang ,&nbsp;Lin Yang ,&nbsp;Xiang-Sheng Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105911","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105911","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The tea tussock moth, <em>Euproctis pseudoconspersa</em>, is a major defoliator in tea plantations, causing significant yield losses. Its urticating hairs also pose a health risk to harvesters, disrupting agricultural activities. Overreliance on chemical control of these pests has led to ecological disruption and pesticide residue issues, highlighting the need for sustainable control tactics within integrated pest management (IPM) frameworks. The generalist predatory stink bug, <em>Arma custos</em>, has demonstrated efficacy against various Lepidopteran pests, but its potential for controlling <em>E. pseudoconspersa</em> remains unexplored. In this study we evaluated the biocontrol potential of <em>A. custos</em> against 3rd instar <em>E. pseudoconspers</em>a larvae through functional response assays, intra-specific interference tests, and field trials. Laboratory studies revealed that both 4th and 5th instar nymphs preyed on <em>E. pseudoconspersa</em> larvae. The maximum daily consumption was similar between the two nymphal instars. Predation rates plateaued post-satiation with increasing prey density, while the proportion of consumed prey declined. Both nymphal instars exhibited a Holling Type II functional response. Fourth instars demonstrated a higher attack rate and a greater theoretical maximum daily consumption than 5th instars. Search efficiency decreased with increasing prey density but was consistently higher in the 4th instar. Intra-specific interference intensified with predator density, reducing per capita predation efficiency. In field trials in Weng’an County, releases of 4th instar nymphs at a 1:2 predator–prey ratio resulted in a significant reduction of the pest population, with control efficacy reaching 78.96% after seven days, a level comparable to conventional biopesticides. Our study demonstrates the significant potential of <em>A. custos</em> as a biocontrol agent against <em>E. pseudoconspersa</em>. The operational parameters defined here, including the superior predator stage and an effective release ratio, establish a foundation for its practical integration into tea IPM systems to reduce reliance on chemicals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 105911"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145569854","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}

{"title":"Bee-mediated delivery of bacteriophage for biocontrol of the cherry canker pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae","authors":"Shannon F. Greer ,&nbsp;Sneha Chakravorty ,&nbsp;Kieran Cooney-Nutley ,&nbsp;Dave Chandler ,&nbsp;Gregory Firth ,&nbsp;Rajesh Odedra ,&nbsp;Mojgan Rabiey","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105922","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105922","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bacteriophages, phages or viruses that specifically infect bacteria, have shown promise for the biocontrol of bacterial plant diseases. However, one of the main challenges of using phages in agricultural systems is their precision application, being able to deliver an effective dose to the site of bacterial infection. In this study, a series of artificial and real cherry flower experiments was conducted to test whether commercially managed bumblebees (<em>Bombus terrestris audax</em>) could deliver phage effective against the cherry canker pathogen <em>Pseudomonas syringae</em> pv. <em>syringae</em> (<em>Pss</em>). Freeze-dried phage powder was formulated with powdered-skimmed milk and when tested, was found to retain viability for seven days in artificial bee feed after storage at 4 °C, room temperature or under glasshouse conditions. In both artificial and cherry flower experiments, bees successfully transferred the formulated phage from their hive to up to 88 % of flowers, resulting in significant reduction in <em>Pss</em> populations. Bees were also able to transfer phage between cherry flowers. The application of phages disrupted the cycle of <em>Pss</em> transmission by bees. These results highlight the potential of bee-mediated phage delivery as an effective biocontrol strategy against floral pathogens like <em>Pss</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 105922"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145569855","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}

{"title":"An antifungal polypeptide from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FS6 and its biocontrol potential against ginseng gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea","authors":"Shuliu Guo ,&nbsp;Mingliang Chu ,&nbsp;Rui Wang ,&nbsp;Baohui Lu ,&nbsp;Ronglin He ,&nbsp;Xue Wang ,&nbsp;Jie Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105920","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105920","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gray mold, caused by <em>Botrytis cinerea</em>, is a globally devastating plant disease that severely threatens the economic sustainability of ginseng cultivation in Northeast China. Our previous field studies demonstrated that <em>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</em> FS6 (BaFS6) exhibits strong biocontrol efficacy against ginseng gray mold. However, the underlying mechanism of its antifungal activity remained unclear. In this study, we identified an antifungal polypeptide (AFP) from <em>Ba. amyloliquefaciens</em> FS6 through comparative proteomic analysis. Prokaryotic expression of the <em>afp</em> gene in <em>Escherichia coli</em> yielded a recombinant protein (RP BaAFP) that significantly inhibited <em>Bo. cinerea</em> hyphal growth, conidial germination, germ tube elongation and disruption of cell wall integrity. Notably, RP BaAFP exhibited exceptional stability across a broad pH range (4–9), tolerated 2–8 h of UV irradiation, and retained activity at elevated temperatures (40–80 °C), outperforming the reference protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) in stability. Fermentation broth (FB) from <em>Ba. amyloliquefaciens</em> FS6 strain overexpressing <em>afp</em> (FS6-<em>BaAfp</em>OE) demonstrated superior antifungal activity compared to the wild-type <em>Ba. amyloliquefaciens</em> FS6 FB. Both RP BaAFP and the FS6-<em>BaAfp</em>OE cell-free FB effectively protected detached ginseng tissues and whole plants in greenhouse trials, significantly reducing <em>Bo. cinerea</em> infection. These findings elucidate the functional role of AFP in <em>Ba. amyloliquefaciens</em> FS6-mediated biocontrol and highlight its potential, along with the FS6 strain, for sustainable management of ginseng gray mold.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 105920"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145518189","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}

{"title":"Induced resistance to pine wilt disease in Pinus massoniana by the endophytic engineered bacterium Pseudomonas koreensis BM06-P60","authors":"Da Li,&nbsp;Lvxin Huang,&nbsp;Menglu Yu,&nbsp;Xiaoqin Wu,&nbsp;Jianren Ye","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105919","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105919","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a globally devastating forest disease. Endophytic bacteria can improve host resistance to diseases by inducing systemic defense responses. We previously constructed an engineered endophytic bacterium, <em>Pseudomonas koreensis</em> BM06-P60, which expresses the exogenous nematicidal peptidase P60 and achieves a 70 % control efficacy against PWD. In the present study, we aimed to further explore whether BM06-P60 improves the resistance of <em>P. massoniana</em> to PWD by strengthening the intrinsic defense capacity of the host. <em>P. massoniana</em> seedlings were treated with BM06-P60, the wild-type strain BM06, or sterile water as a control and then inoculated with nematodes. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that BM06-P60 significantly induced the expression of defense-related genes in P. massoniana, including <em>cell wall–associated hydrolase</em>, whose relative expression peaked at 92.62-fold at 12 h postinoculation; Dehydration-responsive protein-encoding gene, which was upregulated 50.90-fold at 48 h; and <em>chitinase</em>, <em>PR-2</em> family (<em>β-1,3-glucanase)</em>, and <em>PR-5</em> family (thaumatin-like proteins), which exhibited 16.21- to 32.94-fold induction between 6 and 12 h. Enzyme activity assays revealed that POD activity in the BM06-P60 treatment group was significantly higher than that in the other two groups, whereas MDA content was the lowest. BM06-P60 treatment significantly reduced the nematode population within the host. In summary, BM06-P60 enhances the resistance of P. massoniana to PWD, providing a theoretical basis for its application in the biological control of the disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 105919"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145518188","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}

{"title":"Identification and characterization of the pathogens associated with tea red rust in India and their biocontrol under field conditions","authors":"Abhay Kumar Pandey ,&nbsp;Rajashri Saikia ,&nbsp;Abhishek Kumar ,&nbsp;Harshit K. Sharma ,&nbsp;Somnath Roy ,&nbsp;Jay Ram Lamichhane","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105918","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105918","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Red rust of tea, caused by <em>Cephaleuros</em> spp., is an algal disease that can lead to substantial yield losses in major tea-growing countries, including India. This study first identifies and characterizes the causal agents associated with algal red rust disease and then focuses on their field management through a 3-year field trial (2021–2023) across three experimental sites. Micro-morphological, host invasion, and phylogenetic (18S SSU) analysis revealed the association of <em>Cephaleuros virescens</em> (subcuticular) and <em>C. parasiticus</em> (intercellular) with the disease. Liquid bioformulations of two bacterial antagonists, namely <em>Bacillus paramycoides</em> BOK01 and <em>Microbacterium barkeri</em> BPATH02, were prepared and tested against the pathogens under laboratory and field conditions. The efficacy of the biocontrol formulations was compared with a copper-based chemical (i.e., copper oxychloride), commonly used in India. Under controlled conditions, a 20 % suspension concentrate liquid formulation (1 × 10⁸ CFU/ml) of both bacterial antagonists reduced over 66 % spore viability of <em>Cephaleuros</em> species at 2 % concentration. Field trials of the two bacterial-based bioformulations showed over 60 % disease reduction at 2 % and 5 % concentrations compared to the control. Both bioformulations were viable for up to seven months of storage, exhibiting a high population density (i.e., &gt;1 × 10⁸ CFU/ml). Copper oxychloride provided significantly higher disease reduction (&gt;68 %) than the bacterial bioformulations across all locations and years, but no significant yield difference occurred between the two treatments. Taken together, we conclude that <em>B. paramycoides</em> BOK01 and <em>M. barkeri</em> BPATH02-based liquid bioformulations have good potential in the integrated management of algal red rust in tea gardens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 105918"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145465227","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}

{"title":"Effects of priming by arbuscular mycorrhiza against Tetranychus urticae are maintained from laboratory conditions to real crop production","authors":"Beatriz Ramírez-Serrano ,&nbsp;Zhivko Minchev ,&nbsp;Victoria Pastor,&nbsp;Silvia Andrés-Moreno,&nbsp;Paloma Sánchez-Bel,&nbsp;Víctor Flors","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105917","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105917","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The two spotted spider mite <em>Tetranychus urticae</em> is a polyphagous pest that can adapt to hundreds of host plant species within few generations, causing important losses on relevant crops worldwide. Mycorrhizal symbiosis can improve plant resistance against diverse pests and pathogens in different plant species. Yet, the wider adoption of Mycorrhiza-Induced Resistance (MIR) in pest management is hindered by its high context-dependency. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of MIR in tomato against <em>T. urticae</em> performing multiple experiments, ranging from laboratory to real production conditions. We hypothesised that MIR would be functional to protect tomato plants against the mite from the lab to the field. MIR was observed under lab and semi-field conditions in artificial infestation bioassays. A targeted search of plant metabolites revealed a conserved MIR metabolic fingerprint to mites shared between citrus and tomato. It comprised two phenylpropanoids, malic acid and a flavonoid, two of them displaying a priming profile. MIR and chemical treatments were scaled up to real tomato production conditions. Plants inoculated with the mycorrhizal fungus <em>Rhizophagus irregularis</em> showed increased resistance to <em>T. urticae,</em> strongly reducing the natural infestation of the spider mite. Similarly, all the identified compounds caused a marked reduction in the incidence of the pest. Collectively, we show for the first time that MIR against <em>T. urticae</em> provides a consistent and strong protection in tomato in different culture scenarios, highlighting its context-stability in this pathosystem. MIR generates a specific fingerprint of secondary metabolites which enhance protection of tomato plants under real field conditions. We provide solid evidence supporting that MIR and MIR-related priming compounds could be valuable additions into IPM programs to improve tomato pest control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 105917"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145518187","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}

{"title":"The life history consequences of admixture between intentionally and unintentionally introduced populations of Trissolcus japonicus in Europe","authors":"Nina Häner ,&nbsp;Paul K. Abram ,&nbsp;Tim Haye","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105913","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105913","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Introducing classical biological control agents from laboratory-reared populations into regions where adventive populations already exist could alter life history traits of the resulting admixed populations, having positive or negative consequences for pest control. In laboratory studies, we examined the life history consequences of admixture between one intentionally introduced laboratory-reared line (from China) and one pre-existing adventive line (from Switzerland) of <em>Trissolcus japonicus</em> (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), an egg parasitoid of <em>Halyomorpha halys</em> (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in Europe. We tested reproductive compatibility and compared life history traits (fecundity, sex ratio, longevity, and development time) in reciprocal crosses between parental and hybrid lines of the two lines over multiple generations. The intentionally introduced and adventive lines were reproductively compatible, with no evidence of outbreeding depression or hybrid breakdown in either the first or third generations after crossing. Hybrid offspring exhibited life history traits that were either intermediate or similar to those of either parental line. Notably, hybrid lines showed higher fecundity and a more female-biased sex ratio than the adventive parental line. These findings suggest that admixture has some potential to introduce trait values thought to be positively associated with fitness and biological control efficacy. However, future studies are still needed to assess whether admixture between released laboratory-reared lines and adventive populations is actually occurring in the field, and whether it is having consequences for the efficacy of biological control by <em>T. japonicus</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 105913"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145465226","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}

{"title":"Saline-alkali stress triggers negative bottom-up effects on Binodoxys communis Gahan, a parasitoid of cotton aphid","authors":"Yu Gao ,&nbsp;Yan-Hui Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105912","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105912","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In agro-ecosystems, parasitoids can be influenced by bottom-up forces, particularly abiotic stresses on their host’s plants, which can modulate parasitoid host preference and performance. Saline-alkali stress has emerged as a significant concern in recent years, yet research examining parasitoid performance under such conditions remains limited. This study investigated the effects of saline stress, alkali stress and mixed stress, simulated using NaCl and Na₂CO₃ on <em>Binodoxys communis</em> Gahan, a primary parasitoid of the cotton aphid, <em>Aphis gossypii</em> Glover. Our results revealed significant adverse effects of saline-alkali stresses on <em>B. communis</em>, which manifested as reduced rates of parasitism, longer larval developmental periods, reduced adult lifespans, and reduced adult survival rates. Furthermore, <em>B. communis</em> exhibited significantly reduced cumulative fecundity, a lower female sex ratio (F /F + M), and reduced values for population growth parameters (intrinsic rate <em>r</em>_m, finite rate of increase <em>λ</em>, and net reproductive rate <em>R</em>₀). Regression analysis, based on data from our previous research, found a significant positive relationship between the <em>R</em>₀ values of <em>B. communis</em> and <em>A. gossypii</em>, while weakly positive correlations were observed between these stresses and cotton aphid population growth (<em>r</em>_m) and the population finite rate in increase (<em>λ</em>). These findings suggest that saline-alkali stress reduces <em>B. communis</em> fitness through bottom-up effects, and they provide a theoretical foundation for integrated pest management and biological control strategies for farmers in extreme environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 105912"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145465228","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}