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A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Pest Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (27 September 2023) | Viewed by 27132

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Dr. Małgorzata Tartanus

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Guest Editor

The National Institute of Horticultural Research, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland
Interests: IPM; plant protection; biological control; entomopathogenic fungi

Dr. Eligio Malusà

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Guest Editor

The National Institute of Horticultural Research, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland
Interests: biocontrol; entomopathogenic fungi; soil-borne pests management
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Food production is the most important industry in the world. Agricultural and horticultural crops are part of it and form an important link in the food chain. Current global challenges, such as a growing human population, climate change, and consumer demand for healthy food, require the introduction of agronomical measures in crop production that could allow an adequate response. Pest management is among the aspects with a major impact on these challenges, and for this reason there is a need for a strong effort in the development of strategies that integrate different approaches for protection against agrophages, including the monitoring of known and new pest threats, the use of new technologies, such as remote sensing or telemetry, the introduction of different physical methods of pest control, the development of agronomical methods of crop management, fostering beneficials, and the design of new machines that can support a reduction in the use of chemical pesticides as well as better delivering innovative formulations. These are just a few examples of the research topics which are dealt with by this Special Issue. Papers on the assessment of the impact of such measures on plants, including studies on the ability to induce defence mechanisms and toxicity effects, as well as reviews on overall innovative management approaches to pest management are welcomed.

Dr. Małgorzata Tartanus
Dr. Eligio Malusà
Guest Editors

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Keywords

monitoring
decision supporting systems
physical control methods
biodiversity management
biopesticides
new technologies

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

3 pages, 185 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Drivers of and Barriers to the Implementation of Integrated Pest Management in Horticultural Crops

by Małgorzata Tartanus and Eligio Malusà

Horticulturae 2024, 10(6), 626; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10060626 - 12 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1205

Abstract

Integrated pest management (IPM) aims to protect plants using methods that limit the use of pesticides, as well as other interventions, to levels that are economically and ecologically justified, thus reducing the negative impact of crop protection on humans and the environment [...] [...] Read more.

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Pest Management in Horticulture)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

14 pages, 2837 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Artemisia absinthium L. Essential Oil as a Potential Novel Prophylactic against the Asian Citrus Psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama

by Syed Arif Hussain Rizvi, Laila A. Al-Shuraym, Mariam S. Al-Ghamdi, Fahd Mohammed Abd Al Galil, Fahd A. Al-Mekhlafi, Mohamed Wadaan and Waqar Jaleel

Horticulturae 2023, 9(7), 758; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9070758 - 1 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1458

Abstract

Interest in developing novel crop protectants has increased in the recent decade due to the harmful effects of synthetic pesticides on humans and the environment. Diaphorina citri threatens the citrus industry worldwide and is the primary vector of phloem-limited bacterium (HLB). However, there is no available cure for HLB. Diaphorina citri management mainly depends on the use of synthetic insecticides, but their massive application leads to resistance in pest populations. Therefore, alternative pest management strategies are needed. Our results indicated that fewer D. citri adults settled on plants treated with AAEO than on control 48 h after release. The psyllids fed on citrus leaves treated with AAEO significantly reduced the honeydew production compared to the control. The AAEO showed potent ovicidal activity against the D. citri eggs with LC₅₀ 5.88 mg/mL. Furthermore, we also explored the fitness of D. citri on AAEO-treated and untreated Citrus sinensis by using two-sex life table tools. Our results revealed that the intrinsic rate of increase (r) was higher on untreated seedlings (0.10 d⁻¹) than those treated with an LC₂₀ concentration of AAEO (0.07 d⁻¹). Similarly, the net reproductive rate (R₀) was higher for untreated seedlings (14.21 offspring) than those treated (6.405 offspring). Furthermore, the AAEO were safer against Aphis mellifera, with LC₅₀ 35.05 mg/mL, which is relatively higher than the LC₅₀ 24.40 mg/mL values against D. citri. The results indicate that AAEO exhibits toxic and behavioral effects on D. citri, which can be a potential candidate for managing this pest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Pest Management in Horticulture)

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14 pages, 1949 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Integrated Control of Scales on Highbush Blueberry in Poland

by Małgorzata Tartanus, Barbara Sobieszek, Agnieszka Furmańczyk-Gnyp and Eligio Malusà

Horticulturae 2023, 9(5), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9050604 - 19 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1583

Abstract

In the past decade, the development of highbush blueberry production in Poland has been followed by the occurrence of new pests in the plantations, including scales. Since both the assessment of the populations of natural enemies present in a territory and the knowledge of the scale species present in the crop are crucial for the correct application of IPM strategies, a study was carried out to address these aspects and evaluate the efficacy of several active substances in controlling Parthenolecanium spp. in several highbush blueberry plantations. Specimens of adult larvae collected on several plantations were phylogenetically closely linked to two species, P. corni and P. fletcheri. However, considering the ecology and behavior of these species, it was concluded that the pest population was more likely to belong to P. corni. Analyzing the scale parasitoids’ community present in the different locations, it emerged that it was quite diversified, including species affecting both the initial and adult biological phases of the scales, with differences also in the population size and diversity, including both general or specialized parasitoids and predators. The different active substances tested in the efficacy trials, which included both synthetic and bio-based compounds, were suitable for controlling the scale infestation. However, the different efficacy observed between them, depending on season and location, could be interpreted taking into consideration the initial level of infestation. It is concluded that applying an IPM strategy that combines agronomical practices with the application of insecticides with different mechanisms of action, attentive to the benefit of protecting natural enemies, can result in satisfactory control of P. corni in highbush blueberry plantations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Pest Management in Horticulture)

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14 pages, 1024 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Farmers’ Knowledge on Whitefly Populousness among Tomato Insect Pests and Their Management Options in Tomato in Tanzania

by Secilia E. Mrosso, Patrick Alois Ndakidemi and Ernest R. Mbega

Horticulturae 2023, 9(2), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020253 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2552

Abstract

Whitefly is a populous insect pest among tomato insect pests, causing significant crop loss through direct and indirect attacks. The current study aimed to assess the knowledge of tomato farmers on the populousness of whiteflies compared to other tomato insect pests and explore the management options available in their farming context in three tomato-growing regions, Arusha, Morogoro, and Iringa, in Tanzania. The study used a questionnaire to collect the data with backup information obtained through key informants’ interviews and focus group discussions. The study findings indicated whitefly to be populous among tomato insect pests. However, tomato farmers showed varying knowledge of whitefly aspects, including differing control options for the pest. Such findings indicated a knowledge gap between farmers’ understandings of the pest and their practices in fighting it compared to the standard and required practices in controlling the pest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Pest Management in Horticulture)

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11 pages, 826 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Cladosporium Species: The Predominant Species Present on Raspberries from the U.K. and Spain and Their Ability to Cause Skin and Stigmata Infections

by Lauren Helen Farwell, Greg Deakin, Adrian Lee Harris, Georgina Fagg, Thomas Passey, Carol Verheecke-Vaessen, Naresh Magan and Xiangming Xu

Horticulturae 2023, 9(2), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020128 - 17 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2315

Abstract

Raspberry (Rosales: Rosaceae) production in the U.K. has moved rapidly in the last 10 years to under polythene, combined with a reduced availability of broad-spectrum fungicides. Hence, the incidence of previously less prevalent diseases, such as Cladosporium (Capnodiales: Cladosporiaceae), has largely increased. This study aimed to identify the predominant Cladosporium species on raspberry and to understand the nature of its infection on raspberry fruit. Raspberries were collected from farms across the U.K. and Spain and incubated; fungal isolates were then isolated from typical Cladosporium lesions and identified to the species level based on the sequences of the trans elongation factor α and actin genes. Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fres) de Vries was confirmed as the predominant species responsible for infecting raspberry fruit close to harvest on fruit from the U.K. and Spain, being present on 41.5% of U.K. fruit and 84.6% of Spanish fruit. Raspberries were subsequently inoculated at different developmental stages with C. cladosporioides isolates to determine the susceptibility to Cladosporium skin lesions and stigmata infections in relation to the developmental stage. Only the ripening and ripe raspberries were susceptible to Cladosporium, resulting in skin lesions. Cladosporium can colonise the stigmata of raspberries earlier in fruit development and future research is required to determine if such stigmata infections could cause subsequent skin lesion infections. This study has provided the necessary epidemiological information to develop effective management measures against the Cladosporium species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Pest Management in Horticulture)

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11 pages, 3402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Thrips Diversity Associated with Two Olive Varieties (Chemlal & Sigoise), in Northeast Algeria

by Randa Mahmoudi, Malik Laamari and Arturo Goldarazena

Horticulturae 2023, 9(1), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9010107 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2003

Abstract

In this study, the diversity of thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) on two varieties of olive trees (Chemlal and Sigoise) in northeast Algeria (Province of Batna), was evaluated for 3 years (2019–2021). In addition, the fluctuations in the numbers of phytophagous thrips were estimated according to the varieties phenological stages. A total of 19 species are identified and the olive thrips (Liothrips oleae) have just been reported for the first time in Algeria. Only 5 females of this species were collected in May 2021 on the Sigoise variety at the fruit-setting stage. Haplothrips tritici(17.25%), Frankliniella occidentalis (16.29%) and Thrips tabaci (16.29%) are the most present. It is noticed that the thrips were present on the olive tree only in spring (April to May), when the average monthly temperatures are between 10–26 °C, but linear regression analyses were not confirmed that temperature explain the variation in thrips numbers, which may be due to other climatic factors such as the rainfall, while olive varieties and phenological stages are affecting the population of thrips, their number was higher on the Sigoise variety, especially at flowering stage in the case of H. tritici and F. occidentalis while T. tabaci was most noticeable at the fruit growth stage. The number of this species was relatively low, just until the inflorescence stage, where thrips start to appear in Sigoise before Chemlal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Pest Management in Horticulture)

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11 pages, 4877 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biological Control of Downy Mildew and Yield Enhancement of Cucumber Plants by Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis (Ehrenberg) under Greenhouse Conditions

by Héctor G. Núñez-Palenius, Blanca E. Orosco-Alcalá, Isidro Espitia-Vázquez, Víctor Olalde-Portugal, Mariana Hoflack-Culebro, Luis F. Ramírez-Santoyo, Graciela M. L. Ruiz-Aguilar, Nicacio Cruz-Huerta and Juan I. Valiente-Banuet

Horticulturae 2022, 8(12), 1133; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8121133 - 2 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5530

Abstract

The downy mildew disease of cucurbits is considered the most economically damaging disease of Cucurbitaceae worldwide. The causal agent, Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Berkeley & Curtis), may cause complete crop losses of cucurbits. Few commercial cucurbit cultivars are resistant to this disease. Commercially, P. cubensis is controlled primarily with synthetic fungicides that inhibit or eliminate the pathogen. Several biological agents have also been identified that provide some level of control. In our study, foliar applications of three strains of Trichoderma harzianum and two native strains of Bacillus subtilis were evaluated for the control of the disease on cucumber plants grown under commercial greenhouse conditions. The study was conducted using a completely randomized design with six individual treatments during two production cycles: fall 2015 and spring 2016. The response variables included disease incidence and severity, plant height, total yield, fruit quality, and weight. B. subtilis provided the best control over the incidence and severity of the disease in both production cycles. Interestingly, while T. harzianum was less effective at controlling the disease, it enhanced plant growth and productivity, and produced a higher number of better-quality fruits per plot. This increased yield with higher quality fruits may result in higher profit for the growers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Pest Management in Horticulture)

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14 pages, 3514 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparison of IPM and Organic Farming Systems Based on the Efficiency of Oophagous Predation on the Olive Moth (Prays oleae Bernard) in Olive Groves of Southern Iberia

by José Alfonso Gómez-Guzmán, José M. Herrera, Vanesa Rivera, Sílvia Barreiro, José Muñoz-Rojas, Roberto García-Ruiz and Ramón González-Ruiz

Horticulturae 2022, 8(10), 977; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8100977 - 21 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1791

Abstract

The olive moth, Prays oleae (Bernard, 1788) (Lep., Praydidae), is one of the most common insect pests affecting the olives groves of the Mediterranean basin. Current farming practices are largely oriented to optimize the effectiveness of beneficial insects, among which the common green lacewings (Neur., Chrysopidae) stand out. Two different types of management models, organic and IPM, were compared in this study, which was conducted in olive groves in the regions of Andalucía (Spain) and Alentejo (Portugal). During 2020 and 2021, fruit samples were periodically collected, analyzing the population parameters (POP) and potential attack on the fruit (%PA), as well as the predatory impact (%PRED), which has allowed the estimation of the final attack (%FA), and derived fruit recovery rates (%REC). The results show that in organic olive groves of both countries, the infestation parameters (POP, %PA) were significantly higher than in IPM ones. However, predation rates were also higher in organic olive groves, which resulted in REC rates of between 75% and 80%, reducing FA rates to values of approximately 10% and 20% in Portugal and Spain, respectively. In contrast, in the IPM olive groves, significantly lower predation values were recorded, with lower REC rates than in the organic olive groves; the rates were very similar in both countries (ca. 54%), which led to a higher percentage of fruit loss (%FA) equivalent to 22% (Portugal) and to 34% (Spain). This paper discusses potential drivers influencing differences in the population values and percentages of infestation by P. oleae observed, as well as the differences in the final attack rates between olive groves of both countries, subject to the same type of agricultural management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Pest Management in Horticulture)

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12 pages, 4287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Impact of Variety, Irrigation, and Plant Distance on Predatory and Phytophagous Insects in Chili

by András Lajos Juhász, Márk Szalai and Ágnes Szénási

Horticulturae 2022, 8(8), 741; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8080741 - 17 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2109

Abstract

Chilies are plants that are becoming increasingly popular all over the world, including in Hungary. Since little is known about the abundance and seasonal dynamic of insect pests and their natural enemies associated with chilies under Hungarian climatic conditions, the aim of the study was to monitor these organisms on different varieties under different growing conditions to provide data for improving IPM for chilies. Chili varieties “Yellow Scotch Bonnet” (YSB) and “Trinidad Scorpion Butch T” (TSBT) were planted with three replicates. Two different plant-to-plant distances (30 vs. 40 and 40 vs. 60 cm in YSB, TSBT, respectively) and two different irrigation frequencies (daily, 40 min; every second day, 20 min) were used. Fifty flowers/plot/date were collected. In 2019, Orius (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) larvae, and in 2021, phytophagous thrips larvae were dominant in all the treatments. Significantly more Orius adults and larvae were found in the YSB than in the TSBT variety and the number of Aeolothrips and phytophagous thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) adults was significantly higher under less irrigation in 2019. The plant spacing did not affect the abundance of predators or herbivores. Upon comparing the two years, no effect of the treatments on the studied insect taxa was observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Pest Management in Horticulture)

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12 pages, 2315 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Volatile Compounds from Tea Plants (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) and the Effect of Identified Compounds on Empoasca flavescens Behavior

by Fani Fauziah, Agus Dana Permana and Ahmad Faizal

Horticulturae 2022, 8(7), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8070623 - 10 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2597

Abstract

The tea green leafhopper, Empoasca flavescens, is a major pest of tea Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze. Until recently, it has mainly been controlled by pesticides, but their use has led to high levels of toxic residues in plants, which threaten both the environment and human health. Therefore, a safer biological control approach is needed. Tea plants produce many volatile compounds, and different tea clones differ in their resistance to the pest. We explored the possibility that volatile compounds influence the resistance of tea. Here, we assessed the resistance of 15 clones of tea plants to the pest, the volatile compounds produced by the clones, and the effects of the compounds on E. flavescens behavior. Six clones were classified as resistant, eight as moderately susceptible, and one as susceptible. Fresh leaf samples from resistant and susceptible clones were analyzed using HS–SPME–GC–MS. Sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes were two major groups characterized, representing 30.15% and 26.98% of the total compounds, respectively. From our analysis, we conclude that 3-hexen-1-ol, 2,6-dimethyleneoct-7-en-3-one, humulene, β-bourbonene, styrene, and benzaldehyde were important for the resistance and susceptibility of the clones. In a bioassay, E. flavescens were attracted to β-ocimene and methyl salicylate, but avoided linalool compounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Pest Management in Horticulture)

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16 pages, 1880 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Production of Bacillus velezensis Strain GB1 as a Biocontrol Agent and Its Impact on Bemisia tabaci by Inducing Systemic Resistance in a Squash Plant

by Ahmed Soliman, Saleh Matar and Gaber Abo-Zaid

Horticulturae 2022, 8(6), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8060511 - 10 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2202

Abstract

Pests represent a huge problem in crop production causing significant losses. Currently, biocontrol is utilized as an eco-friendly approach for controlling pests and reducing the shortage in crop production. In the current study, the production of a biocontrol agent, which was identified based on sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene as Bacillusvelezensis strain GB1 with GenBank accession No. OM836750, was carried out in the stirred tank bioreactor using a batch fermentation process. For the first time, B. velezensis strain GB1 was tested as a biocontrol agent with soil drench application (10⁹ cfu mL⁻¹) for management of Bemisia tabaci and induction of squash plant systemic resistance under greenhouse conditions. β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase activity were measured in squash leaves at 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h. The influence of B. velezensis strain GB1 on population density, fertility, and hatchability of B. tabaci on squash plants was studied. The batch fermentation process of B. velezensis strain GB1 maximized the production of secondary metabolites and culture biomass, which reached a maximum value of 3.8 g L⁻¹ at 10.5 h with a yield coefficient of 0.65 g cells/g glucose. Treatment with B. velezensis strain GB1 induced squash plants to boost their levels of β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase enzymes. On the other hand, B. velezensis strain GB1 could significantly reduce the mean number of the attracted B. tabaci on squash plants. Additionally, whiteflies laid a lower mean number of 2.28 eggs/female/day on squash plants inoculated with B. velezensis strain GB1 compared to control. The percentage of B. tabaci egg hatchability declined by 5.7% in the B. velezensis-inoculated squash plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Pest Management in Horticulture)

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