Integrated Pest Management Systems in Agriculture

Dear Colleagues,

Agriculture contributes most to current human-induced climate change. However, crop productivity is at risk due to the increasing incidence of pests and diseases. A warmer climate and extreme weather events have led to a loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, which has a significant impact on plant pests and the damage they cause. EU phytosanitary and environmental policies have defined the common challenge of reducing dependence on chemicals, improving food quality, and increasing the potential for the development of more bio-based and biotech-oriented production systems. To promote this transition and prioritize preventive crop protection based on agro-ecological practices to prevent pest outbreaks and infestations, we need a change of direction and paradigm. The measures taken by EU Member States to reduce pesticide use are based on the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). However, current crop protection in the EU is still largely based on curative crop protection with chemical pesticides.

This Special Issue looks at IPM systems in agriculture that can reduce pesticide use through precision agriculture, improved decision support, and mechanical or biological technologies. We also focus on research that proposes a complete redesign of farming and food systems by developing knowledge for an ecological, technological, and social redesign of food and farming systems

Prof. Dr. Renata Bažok
Dr. Ivana Pajač Živković
Dr. Helena Virić Gašparić
Guest Editors

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• agroecological plant protection
• digital tools for crop protection
• plant pest control
• plant disease control
• preventive crop protection

Title: Field Evaluations of the Impact of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) on Forage Maize in the Miyakonojo Basin, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Yui Sakuraba; Kaho Tsukamoto; Mitsuhiro Niimi; Manabu Tobisa; Sachiko Idota; Tetsuya Adachi-Hagimori; Yasuyuki Ishii
Affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki
Abstract: This study assessed the field impact of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) feeding on the growth, yield, and quality of forage maize (Zea mays) over two years (2022 and 2023) in the Miyakonojo Basin, Miyazaki, Japan. The experiment involved applying dolomite to maize whorls at seedling (3rd–4th leaf) and vegetative (6th–7th leaf) stages, compared with untreated controls, using three replicates. Pest impact was evaluated through scoring of growth, yield, and quality attributes. Dolomite application did not affect maize growth or yield, but seasonal effects were significant. Pest damage was lowest in spring sowings (April and May), with dry matter yields ranging from 17.0–17.5 Mg ha-1, and total digestible nitrogen (TDN) concentrations of 692–735 mg g-1 in April-sown plots. In July sowing, pest damage increased to 32%–53%, DM yields decreased to 8.9–14.7 Mg ha-1, and TDN concentrations ranged from 696 to 707 mg g-1. In August sowing, pest damage was severe, reaching 79%–100%, with DM yields dropping to 5.5–13.2 Mg ha-1, and TDN concentrations reduced to 641–679 mg g-1. For early August sowing, the use of chemical insecticides at the early seedling stage is essential to mitigate pest damage in the region. [199/200 words]