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4 pages, 211 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection

by Dragana Šunjka and Špela Mechora

Plants 2023, 12(4), 805; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040805 - 10 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1568

Abstract

Food production, along with the constant demand for higher yields, is an imperative of contemporary agricultural production [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

15 pages, 1808 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Fungicidal Effect of Some Commercial Disinfectant and Sterilizer Agents Formulated as Soluble Liquid against Sclerotium rolfsii Infected Tomato Plant

by Rania A. A. Hussien, Mai M. A. Gnedy, Ali A. S. Sayed, Ahmed Bondok, Dalal Hussien M. Alkhalifah, Amr Elkelish and Moataz M. Tawfik

Plants 2022, 11(24), 3542; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11243542 - 15 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2335

Abstract

Globally, root rot disease of tomato plants caused by Sclerotium rolfsii is a severe disease leading to the death of infected plants. The effect of some commercial antiseptics and disinfectant agents, such as chloroxylenol (10%), phenic (10%) and formulated phenol (7%) on the [...] Read more.

Globally, root rot disease of tomato plants caused by Sclerotium rolfsii is a severe disease leading to the death of infected plants. The effect of some commercial antiseptics and disinfectant agents, such as chloroxylenol (10%), phenic (10%) and formulated phenol (7%) on the control of root rot pathogen and its impact on growth and chemical constituents of tomato seedlings cv. Castle Rock were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The antifungal activity was measured in vitro following the poisoned food technique at different concentrations of 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 µL/L. Disinfectant agents and atrio (80%) were tested in vivo by soaking 20-day-old tomato seedlings in four concentrations of 125, 250, 500 and 1000 µL/100 mL water for 5 min and thereafter planting in soil infested by S. rolfsii. Fresh and dry weight, shoot and root length, and chemical constituents of tomato seedlings infected by S. rolfsii were investigated at 35 days after planting (DAP). Experimental results indicated that chloroxylenol (10%) was the most effective on fungus in vitro, recorded an effective concentration (EC₅₀ = 1347.74 µL/L) followed by phenic (10%) (EC₅₀ = 1370.52 µL/L) and formulated phenol (7%) (EC₅₀ = 1553.59 µL/L). In vivo, atrio (80%) and disinfectant agents at different concentrations significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced disease incidence, increased shoot and root lengths and increased dry and fresh weight. Additionally, it significantly increased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total carotenoids, total carbohydrates, total proteins, and total phenols. The highest reduction of root rot incidence and increase tomato growth parameters, as well as chemical compositions, were recorded on tomato seedlings treated with atrio (80%) as well as formulated phenol (7%) at different concentrations, followed by chloroxylenol (10%) at 125 and 250 µL/100 mL, whereas phenic (10%) was found to be the least effective treatment. Therefore, the application of formulated phenol (7%) could be commercially used to control tomato root rot diseases and increase the quality and quantity of tomato plants since it is promising against the pathogen, safe, and less expensive than fungicides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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14 pages, 1862 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of an Enzymatic Hydrolysed L-α-Amino Acid Based Biostimulant to Improve Sunflower Tolerance to Imazamox

by Eloy Navarro-León, Elisabet Borda, Cándido Marín, Nuria Sierras, Begoña Blasco and Juan M. Ruiz

Plants 2022, 11(20), 2761; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11202761 - 19 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2839

Abstract

Herbicides, commonly used in agriculture to control weeds, often cause negative effects on crops. Safeners are applied to reduce the damage to crops without affecting the effectiveness of herbicides against weeds. Plant biostimulants have the potential to increase tolerance to a series of [...] Read more.

Herbicides, commonly used in agriculture to control weeds, often cause negative effects on crops. Safeners are applied to reduce the damage to crops without affecting the effectiveness of herbicides against weeds. Plant biostimulants have the potential to increase tolerance to a series of abiotic stresses, but very limited information exists about their effects on herbicide-stressed plants. This study aims to verify whether the application of a potential safener such as Terra-Sorb^®, an L-α-amino acid-based biostimulant, reduces the phytotoxicity of an Imazamox-based herbicide and to elucidate which tolerance mechanisms are induced. Sunflower plants were treated with Pulsar^® 40 (4% Imazamox) both alone and in combination with Terra-Sorb^®. Plants treated with the herbicide in combination with Terra-Sorb^® showed higher growth, increased acetolactate synthase (ALS) activity, and amino acid concentration with respect to the plants treated with Imazamox alone. Moreover, the biostimulant protected photosynthetic activity and reduced oxidative stress. This protective effect could be due to the glutathione S-transferase (GST) induction and antioxidant systems dependent on glutathione (GSH). However, no effect of the biostimulant application was observed regarding phenolic compound phenylalanine ammonium-lyase (PAL) activity. Therefore, this study opens the perspective of using Terra-Sorb^® in protecting sunflower plants against an imazamox-based herbicide effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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15 pages, 1045 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Thymus vulgaris L. Hydrolate Solutions on the Seed Germination, Seedling Length, and Oxidative Stress of Some Cultivated and Weed Species

by Bojan Konstantinović, Milena Popov, Nataša Samardžić, Milica Aćimović, Jovana Šućur Elez, Tijana Stojanović, Marina Crnković and Miloš Rajković

Plants 2022, 11(13), 1782; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11131782 - 5 Jul 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2062

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the hydrolates obtained as the by-products of the Thymus vulgaris essential oil steam distillation process. The bioassays, which were undertaken in order to determine the effect on germination and initial growth of [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the hydrolates obtained as the by-products of the Thymus vulgaris essential oil steam distillation process. The bioassays, which were undertaken in order to determine the effect on germination and initial growth of seedlings of some cultivated and weed species, were performed under controlled conditions with different concentrations of the hydrolates. Seeds of Glycine max, Helianthus annuus, Zea mays, Triticum aestivum, Daucus carota subsp. sativus, Allium cepa, Medicago sativa, and Trifolium repens, and six weed species—Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album, Portulaca oleracea, Echinochloa crus-galli, Sorghum halepense, and Solanum nigrum—were treated with 10, 20, 50, and 100% T. vulgaris hydrolate solution. The obtained results showed that the T. vulgaris hydrolate had the least negative effect on the germination of cultivated species, such as soybean, sunflower and maize, whereas clover and alfalfa were the most sensitive. By comparison, all the tested weed species expressed high susceptibility. It can be concluded that the T. vulgaris hydrolate has an herbicidal effect, in addition to its potential as a biopesticide in terms of integrated weed management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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15 pages, 3876 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficacy of Biorational Products for Managing Diseases of Tomato in Greenhouse Production

by Luis Fernando Esquivel-Cervantes, Bertha Tlapal-Bolaños, Juan Manuel Tovar-Pedraza, Oscar Pérez-Hernández, Santos Gerardo Leyva-Mir and Moisés Camacho-Tapia

Plants 2022, 11(13), 1638; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11131638 - 21 Jun 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2422

Abstract

Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), late blight (Phytophthora infestans), powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica), pith necrosis (Pseudomonas corrugata), and bacterial canker (Clavibacter michiganensis) are major diseases that affect tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in greenhouse [...] Read more.

Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), late blight (Phytophthora infestans), powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica), pith necrosis (Pseudomonas corrugata), and bacterial canker (Clavibacter michiganensis) are major diseases that affect tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in greenhouse production in Mexico. Management of these diseases depends heavily on chemical control, with up to 24 fungicide applications required in a single season to control fungal diseases, thus ensuring a harvestable crop. While disease chemical control is a mainstay practice in the region, its frequent use increases the production costs, likelihood of pathogen-resistance development, and negative environmental impact. Due to this, there is a need for alternative practices that minimize such effects and increase profits for tomato growers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of biorational products in the control of these diseases in greenhouse production. Four different treatments, including soil application of Bacillus spp. or B. subtilis and foliar application of Reynoutria sachalinensis, Melaleuca alternifolia, harpin αβ proteins, or bee honey were evaluated and compared to a conventional foliar management program (control) in a commercial production greenhouse in Central Mexico in 2016 and 2017. Disease incidence was measured at periodic intervals for six months and used to calculate the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). Overall, the analysis of the AUDPC showed that all treatments were more effective than the conventional program in controlling most of the examined diseases. The tested products were effective in reducing the intensity of powdery mildew and gray mold, but not that of bacterial canker, late blight, and pith necrosis. Application of these products constitutes a disease management alternative that represents cost-saving to tomato growers of about 2500 U.S. dollars per production cycle ha⁻¹, in addition to having less negative impact on the environment. The products tested in this study have the potential to be incorporated in an integrated program for management of the examined diseases in tomato in this region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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19 pages, 1905 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Isolation, Identification, and Biocontrol Potential of Root Fungal Endophytes Associated with Solanaceous Plants against Potato Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans)

by Abbas El-Hasan, Grace Ngatia, Tobias I. Link and Ralf T. Voegele

Plants 2022, 11(12), 1605; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11121605 - 18 Jun 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3572

Abstract

Late blight of potato caused by Phytophthora infestans is one of the most damaging diseases affecting potato production worldwide. We screened 357 root fungal endophytes isolated from four solanaceous plant species obtained from Kenya regarding their in vitro antagonistic activity against the potato [...] Read more.

Late blight of potato caused by Phytophthora infestans is one of the most damaging diseases affecting potato production worldwide. We screened 357 root fungal endophytes isolated from four solanaceous plant species obtained from Kenya regarding their in vitro antagonistic activity against the potato late blight pathogen and evaluated their performance in planta. Preliminary in vitro tests revealed that 46 of these isolates showed potential activity against the pathogen. Based on their ITS-sequences, 37 out of 46 endophytes were identified to species level, three isolates were connected to higher taxa (phylum or genus), while two remained unidentified. Confrontation assays, as well as assays for volatile or diffusible organic compounds, resulted in the selection of three endophytes (KB1S1-4, KA2S1-42, and KB2S2-15) with a pronounced inhibitory activity against P. infestans. All three isolates produce volatile organic compounds that inhibit mycelial growth of P. infestans by up to 48.9%. The addition of 5% extracts obtained from KB2S2-15 or KA2S1-42 to P. infestans sporangia entirely suppressed their germination. A slightly lower inhibition (69%) was achieved using extract from KB1S1-4. Moreover, late blight symptoms and the mycelial growth of P. infestans were completely suppressed when leaflets were pre-treated with a 5% extract from these endophytes. This might suggest the implementation of such biocontrol candidates or their fungicidal compounds in late blight control strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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16 pages, 1922 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Irrigation Dose on Powdery Mildew Incidence and Root Biomass of Sessile Oaks (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.)

by Winicjusz Kasprzyk, Marlena Baranowska, Robert Korzeniewicz, Jolanta Behnke-Borowczyk and Wojciech Kowalkowski

Plants 2022, 11(9), 1248; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11091248 - 5 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2377

Abstract

The sessile oak is one of the most significant forest tree species in Europe. This species is vulnerable to various stresses, among which drought and powdery mildew have been the most serious threats. The aim of this study was to determine the influence [...] Read more.

The sessile oak is one of the most significant forest tree species in Europe. This species is vulnerable to various stresses, among which drought and powdery mildew have been the most serious threats. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of irrigation levels (overhead sprinklers) on the damage caused by powdery mildew to Quercus petraea growing in a nursery setting. Four irrigation rates were used: 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% of the full rate. The area of the leaves was measured and the ratio between the dry mass of the roots and the dry mass of the entire plant was calculated after the growing season in years’ 2015 and 2016. Limiting the total amount of water provided to a level between 53.6 mm × m⁻² and 83.6 mm × m⁻², particularly in the months when total precipitation was low (VII and VIII 2015), a supplemental irrigation rate between 3 and 9 mm × m⁻² resulted in a lower severity of oak powdery mildew on leaves and lead to a favorable allocation of the biomass of the sessile oak seedlings to the root system. The severity of infection on oak leaf blades was lower when irrigation rates were reduced. The greatest mean degree of infestation in 2015 was noted in the 100% irrigation rate (14.6%), 75% (6.25%), 50% (4.35%) and 25% (5.47%). In 2016, there was no significant difference between the mean area of leaves infected by powdery mildew depending on the applied irrigation rate. The shoot-root biomass rate showed greater variation under limited irrigation rates. Controlling the irrigation rate can become an effective component of integrated protection strategies against this pathogen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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11 pages, 1185 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Field Margin Plants Support Natural Enemies in Sub-Saharan Africa Smallholder Common Bean Farming Systems

by Baltazar J. Ndakidemi, Ernest R. Mbega, Patrick A. Ndakidemi, Steven R. Belmain, Sarah E. J. Arnold, Victoria C. Woolley and Philip C. Stevenson

Plants 2022, 11(7), 898; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11070898 - 28 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2732

Abstract

Flower-rich field margins provide habitats and food resources for natural enemies of pests (NEs), but their potential, particularly in the tropics and on smallholder farms, is poorly understood. We surveyed field margins for plant-NE interactions in bean fields. NEs most often interacted with [...] Read more.

Flower-rich field margins provide habitats and food resources for natural enemies of pests (NEs), but their potential, particularly in the tropics and on smallholder farms, is poorly understood. We surveyed field margins for plant-NE interactions in bean fields. NEs most often interacted with Bidens pilosa (15.4% of all interactions) and Euphorbia heterophylla (11.3% of all interactions). In cage trials with an aphid-infested bean plant and a single flowering margin plant, the survival of Aphidius colemani, the most abundant parasitoid NE in bean fields, was greater in the presence of Euphorbia heterophylla than Bidens pilosa, Tagetes minuta, and Hyptis suaveolens. UV-fluorescent dye was applied to flowers of specific field margin plant species and NE sampled from within the bean crop and field margins using sweep-netting and pan-traps respectively. Captured insects were examined for the presence of the dye, indicative of a prior visit to the margin. Lady beetles and assassin bugs were most abundant in plots with B. pilosa margins; hoverflies with T. minuta and Parthenium hysterophorus margins; and lacewings with T. minuta and B. pilosa margins. Overall, NE benefitted from field margin plants, and those possessing extra floral nectaries had an added advantage. Field margin plants need careful selection to ensure benefits to different NE groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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14 pages, 3164 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Impact of Different Management Methods on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Their Predators in Citrus Orchards

by Amine Assouguem, Mohammed Kara, Hamza Mechchate, Fahd A. Al-Mekhlafi, Fahd Nasr, Abdellah Farah and Abderahim Lazraq

Plants 2022, 11(5), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11050623 - 25 Feb 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2523

Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of eco-friendly treatments based on detergents classified as non-hazardous and black soap on the pest Tetranychus urticae Koch 1836, and their predators (Euseius stipulatus Athias-Henriot, 1960, Typhlodromus sp., Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, 1957), different treatments were applied to citrus [...] Read more.

To evaluate the effectiveness of eco-friendly treatments based on detergents classified as non-hazardous and black soap on the pest Tetranychus urticae Koch 1836, and their predators (Euseius stipulatus Athias-Henriot, 1960, Typhlodromus sp., Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, 1957), different treatments were applied to citrus orchards planted with Valencia late (Orange) in the Mechraa Belksiri region of Morocco (T0 = control experiment; T1 = spirodiclofen 0.5 L/Ha; T2 = 125 L/Ha (5%) of black soap; T3 = detergent; 4 L/Ha of Oni product + 2 L/Ha of Tide product). The results obtained during the whole monitoring period indicated that the three treatments used, namely spirodiclofen, black soap, and detergents, ensured a reduction in the rate of population of the pest T. urticae compared to the untreated plot. In the untreated plot, the average was 45.01 A± 4.90 mobile forms, while the plot treated with spirodiclofen it was only 21.10 C ± 2.71, the black soap 31.49 B ± 3.35, and in the plot treated with detergents, the average was similar to that obtained by spirodiclofen (22.90 C ± 2.18). On the predators (E. stipulatus, P. persimilis, and Typhlodropmus sp.), the black soap and the treatment with detergents were less harmful compared to the chemical spirodiclofen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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14 pages, 1255 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extracts from Environmental Strains of Pseudomonas spp. Effectively Control Fungal Plant Diseases

by Valentina Librizzi, Antonino Malacrinò, Maria Giulia Li Destri Nicosia, Nataly Barger, Tal Luzzatto-Knaan, Sonia Pangallo, Giovanni E. Agosteo and Leonardo Schena

Plants 2022, 11(3), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11030436 - 5 Feb 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2911

Abstract

The use of synthetic chemical products in agriculture is causing severe damage to the environment and human health, but agrochemicals are still widely used to protect our crops. To counteract this trend, we have been looking for alternative strategies to control plant diseases [...] Read more.

The use of synthetic chemical products in agriculture is causing severe damage to the environment and human health, but agrochemicals are still widely used to protect our crops. To counteract this trend, we have been looking for alternative strategies to control plant diseases without causing harm to the environment or damage to our health. However, these alternatives are still far from completely replacing chemical products. Microorganisms have been widely known as a biological tool to control plant diseases, but their use is still limited due to the high variability in their efficacy, together with issues in product registration. However, the metabolites produced by these microorganisms can represent a novel tool for the environment-friendly management of plant diseases, while reducing the issues mentioned above. In this study, we explore the soil microbial diversity in natural systems to look for microorganisms with the potential to be used in pre- and post-harvest protection against fungal plant pathogens. Using a simple workflow, we isolated 22 bacterial strains that were tested both in vitro and in vivo for their ability to counteract the growth of common plant pathogens. The three best isolates, identified as members of the bacterial genus Pseudomonas, were used to produce a series of alcoholic extracts, which were then tested for their action against plant pathogens in simulated real-world applications. Results show that extracts from these isolates have an exceptional biocontrol activity and can be successfully used to control plant pathogens in operational setups. Thus, this study shows that the environmental microbiome is an important source of microorganisms producing metabolites that might provide an alternative strategy to synthetic chemical products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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18 pages, 9939 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Major Phenolic Compounds of Seeds, Skins, and Pulps from Various Vitis spp. and the Effect of Powdery and Downy Mildew Diseases on Their Levels in Grape Leaves

by Arif Atak, Zekiye Göksel and Yusuf Yılmaz

Plants 2021, 10(12), 2554; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122554 - 23 Nov 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2188

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to determine the contents of 3 major phenolic compounds (gallic acid, catechin, and epicatechin) in 22 different grape cultivars/hybrids obtained from 2 different breeding programs. Additionally, changes in these phenolic components in the grape leaves of [...] Read more.

The main purpose of this study is to determine the contents of 3 major phenolic compounds (gallic acid, catechin, and epicatechin) in 22 different grape cultivars/hybrids obtained from 2 different breeding programs. Additionally, changes in these phenolic components in the grape leaves of some resistant/tolerant species were determined in relation to powdery and downy mildew diseases in viticulture. The skin, pulp, and seeds of grape berries were analysed over two years, while changes in the phenolic contents of grape leaves were determined before and after these diseases for two years. The major phenolic contents of new hybrids/cultivars were compared with those of popular cultivars in different parts of the grapes, and significant differences in phenolic contents were found among hybrids/cultivars and different grape parts. Variations in the contents of phenolics in grape seeds, skins, and pulp were high, but seeds contained higher levels of these phenolics than pulp and skin. Analyses of the relationship between two viticultural diseases and phenolic changes in resistant/tolerant cultivars in relation with the susceptible “Italia” cultivar revealed that an increase in the content of the phenolic compounds was found after powdery mildew disease. Hybrids/cultivars with high phenolic contents are recommended to develop new superior cultivars, which are resistant to grape fungal diseases, in breeding programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

17 pages, 814 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Testing Virulence of Different Species of Insect Associated Fungi against Yellow Mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Their Potential Growth Stimulation to Maize

by Eva Praprotnik, Jernej Lončar and Jaka Razinger

Plants 2021, 10(11), 2498; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112498 - 18 Nov 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2327

Abstract

This paper investigates 71 isolates of two genera of entomopathogens, Metarhizium and Beauveria, and a biostimulative genus Trichoderma, for their ability to infect yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and to stimulate maize (Zea mays) growth. Fungal origin, host, [...] Read more.

This paper investigates 71 isolates of two genera of entomopathogens, Metarhizium and Beauveria, and a biostimulative genus Trichoderma, for their ability to infect yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and to stimulate maize (Zea mays) growth. Fungal origin, host, and isolation methods were taken into account in virulence analysis as well. Isolates Metarhizium brunneum (1154) and Beauveria bassiana (2121) showed the highest mortality (100%) against T. molitor. High virulence seems to be associated with fungi isolated from wild adult mycosed insects, meadow habitats, and Lepidopteran hosts, but due to uneven sample distribution, we cannot draw firm conclusions. Trichoderma atroviride (2882) and Trichoderma gamsii (2883) increased shoot length, three Metarhizium robertsii isolates (2691, 2693, and 2688) increased root length and two M. robertsii isolates (2146 and 2794) increased plant dry weight. Considering both criteria, the isolate M. robertsii (2693) was the best as it caused the death of 73% T. molitor larvae and also significantly increased maize root length by 24.4%. The results warrant further studies with this isolate in a tri-trophic system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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11 pages, 285 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Composition of Ambrosia trifida L. and Its Allelopathic Influence on Crops

by Jovana Šućur, Bojan Konstantinović, Marina Crnković, Vojislava Bursić, Nataša Samardžić, Đorđe Malenčić, Dejan Prvulović, Milena Popov and Gorica Vuković

Plants 2021, 10(10), 2222; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10102222 - 19 Oct 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2693

Abstract

Phytotoxic substances released by invasive plants have been reported to have anti-pathogen, anti-herbivore, and allelopathic activity. The aim of this study was to determine the allelopathic influence of the Ambrosia trifida L. on oxidative stress parameters (the lipid peroxidation process; reduced glutathione (GSH) [...] Read more.

Phytotoxic substances released by invasive plants have been reported to have anti-pathogen, anti-herbivore, and allelopathic activity. The aim of this study was to determine the allelopathic influence of the Ambrosia trifida L. on oxidative stress parameters (the lipid peroxidation process; reduced glutathione (GSH) content; and activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (PX)) and phenolic compounds (total phenolic and tannin content) in maize (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crops to explore the effect of released allelochemicals through A. trifida root on crops. An analysis by HPLC confirmed the presence of protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, and syringic acid as major components in the A. trifida. Based on the obtained results for oxidative stress parameters, it can be concluded that the sunflower was the most sensitive species to A. trifida allelochemicals among the tested crops. The other two crops tested showed a different sensitivity to A. trifida. The soybean did not show sensitivity, while the maize showed sensitivity only 10 days after the sowing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

15 pages, 1317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deciphering the Physicochemical and Microscopical Changes in Ganoderma boninense-Infected Oil Palm Woodblocks under the Influence of Phenolic Compounds

by Arthy Surendran, Yasmeen Siddiqui, Khairulmazmi Ahmad and Rozi Fernanda

Plants 2021, 10(9), 1797; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10091797 - 28 Aug 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2684

Abstract

The threat of Ganoderma boninense, the causal agent of basal stem rot disease, in the oil palm industry warrants finding an effective control for it. The weakest link in the disease management strategy is the unattended stumps/debris in the plantations. Hence, this [...] Read more.

The threat of Ganoderma boninense, the causal agent of basal stem rot disease, in the oil palm industry warrants finding an effective control for it. The weakest link in the disease management strategy is the unattended stumps/debris in the plantations. Hence, this study aimed to determine whether the selected phenolic compounds could control G. boninense in inoculated oil palm woodblocks and restrict wood biodegradation. Results indicated a significant reduction in the wood mass loss when treated with all the phenolic compounds. Surprisingly, syringic and vanillic acids behaved ambivalently; at a lower concentration, the wood mass loss was increased, but it decreased as the concentrations were increased. In all four phenolic compounds, the inhibition of mass loss was dependent on the concentration of the compounds. After 120 days, the mass loss was only 31%, with 63% relative degradation of lignin and cellulose, and 74% of hemicellulose and wood anatomy, including silica bodies, were intact in those woodblocks treated with 1 mM benzoic acid. This study emphasizes the physicochemical and anatomical changes occurring in the oil palm wood during G. boninense colonization, and suggests that treating oil palm stumps with benzoic acid could be a solution to reducing the G. boninense inoculum pressure during replantation in a sustainable manner. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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13 pages, 11422 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Antifungal Activity of the Extract of a Macroalgae, Gracilariopsis persica, against Four Plant Pathogenic Fungi

by Latifeh Pourakbar, Sina Siavash Moghaddam, Hesham Ali El Enshasy and R. Z. Sayyed

Plants 2021, 10(9), 1781; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10091781 - 26 Aug 2021

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4358

Abstract

Nowadays, the extract of seaweeds has drawn attention as a rich source of bioactive metabolites. Seaweeds are known for their biologically active compounds whose antibacterial and antifungal activities have been documented. This research aimed to study the profile of phenolic compounds using the [...] Read more.

Nowadays, the extract of seaweeds has drawn attention as a rich source of bioactive metabolites. Seaweeds are known for their biologically active compounds whose antibacterial and antifungal activities have been documented. This research aimed to study the profile of phenolic compounds using the HPLC method and determine biologically active compounds using the GC-MS method and the antifungal activity of Gracilariopsis persica against plant pathogenic fungi. G. persica was collected from its natural habitat in Suru of Bandar Abbas, Iran, dried, and extracted by methanol. The quantitative results on phenolic compounds using the HPLC method showed that the most abundant compounds in G. persica were rosmarinic acid (20.9 ± 0.41 mg/kg DW) and quercetin (11.21 ± 0.20 mg/kg DW), and the least abundant was cinnamic acid (1.4 ± 0.10 mg/kg DW). The GC-MS chromatography revealed 50 peaks in the methanolic extract of G. persica, implying 50 compounds. The most abundant components included cholest-5-en-3-ol (3 beta) (27.64%), palmitic acid (17.11%), heptadecane (7.71%), and palmitic acid methyl ester (6.66%). The antifungal activity of different concentrations of the extract was determined in vitro. The results as to the effect of the alga extract at the rates of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 μL on the mycelial growth of four important plant pathogenic fungi, including Botrytis cinerea, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium expansum, and Pyricularia oryzae, revealed that the mycelial growth of all four fungi was lower at higher concentrations of the alga extract. However, the extract concentration of 1000 μL completely inhibited their mycelial growth. The antifungal activity of this alga may be related to the phenolic compounds, e.g., rosmarinic acid and quercetin, as well as compounds such as palmitic acid, oleic acid, and other components identified using the GC-MS method whose antifungal effects have already been confirmed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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17 pages, 2232 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Vitro Evaluation of the Inhibitory Activity of Different Selenium Chemical Forms on the Growth of a Fusarium proliferatum Strain Isolated from Rice Seedlings

by Elisabetta Troni, Giovanni Beccari, Roberto D’Amato, Francesco Tini, David Baldo, Maria Teresa Senatore, Gian Maria Beone, Maria Chiara Fontanella, Antonio Prodi, Daniela Businelli and Lorenzo Covarelli

Plants 2021, 10(8), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081725 - 20 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2732

Abstract

In this study, the in vitro effects of different Se concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, and 100 mg kg⁻¹) from different Se forms (sodium selenite, sodium selenate, selenomethionine, and selenocystine) on the development of a Fusarium proliferatum strain isolated from rice [...] Read more.

In this study, the in vitro effects of different Se concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, and 100 mg kg⁻¹) from different Se forms (sodium selenite, sodium selenate, selenomethionine, and selenocystine) on the development of a Fusarium proliferatum strain isolated from rice were investigated. A concentration-dependent effect was detected. Se reduced fungal growth starting from 10 mg kg⁻¹ and increasing the concentration (15, 20, and 100 mg kg⁻¹) enhanced the inhibitory effect. Se bioactivity was also chemical form dependent. Selenocystine was found to be the most effective at the lowest concentration (5 mg kg⁻¹). Complete growth inhibition was observed at 20 mg kg⁻¹ of Se from selenite, selenomethionine, and selenocystine. Se speciation analysis revealed that fungus was able to change the Se speciation when the lowest Se concentration was applied. Scanning Electron Microscopy showed an alteration of the fungal morphology induced by Se. Considering that the inorganic forms have a higher solubility in water and are cheaper than organic forms, 20 mg kg⁻¹ of Se from selenite can be suggested as the best combination suitable to inhibit F. proliferatum strain. The addition of low concentrations of Se from selenite to conventional fungicides may be a promising alternative approach for the control of Fusarium species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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17 pages, 1525 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Activity of Anthracenediones and Flavoring Phenols in Hydromethanolic Extracts of Rubia tinctorum against Grapevine Phytopathogenic Fungi

by Natalia Langa-Lomba, Eva Sánchez-Hernández, Laura Buzón-Durán, Vicente González-García, José Casanova-Gascón, Jesús Martín-Gil and Pablo Martín-Ramos

Plants 2021, 10(8), 1527; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081527 - 26 Jul 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3733

Abstract

In this work, the chemical composition of Rubia tinctorum root hydromethanolic extract was analyzed by GC–MS, and over 50 constituents were identified. The main phytochemicals were alizarin-related anthraquinones and flavoring phenol compounds. The antifungal activity of this extract, alone and in combination with [...] Read more.

In this work, the chemical composition of Rubia tinctorum root hydromethanolic extract was analyzed by GC–MS, and over 50 constituents were identified. The main phytochemicals were alizarin-related anthraquinones and flavoring phenol compounds. The antifungal activity of this extract, alone and in combination with chitosan oligomers (COS) or with stevioside, was evaluated against the pathogenic taxa Diplodia seriata, Dothiorella viticola and Neofusicoccum parvum, responsible for the so-called Botryosphaeria dieback of grapevine. In vitro mycelial growth inhibition tests showed remarkable activity for the pure extract, with EC₅₀ and EC₉₀ values as low as 66 and 88 μg·mL⁻¹, respectively. Nonetheless, enhanced activity was attained upon the formation of conjugate complexes with COS or with stevioside, with synergy factors of up to 5.4 and 3.3, respectively, resulting in EC₅₀ and EC₉₀ values as low as 22 and 56 μg·mL⁻¹, respectively. The conjugate with the best performance (COS-R. tinctorum extract) was then assayed ex situ on autoclaved grapevine wood against D. seriata, confirming its antifungal behavior on this plant material. Finally, the same conjugate was evaluated in greenhouse assays on grafted grapevine plants artificially inoculated with the three aforementioned fungal species, resulting in a significant reduction in the infection rate in all cases. This natural antifungal compound represents a promising alternative for developing sustainable control methods against grapevine trunk diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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Review

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15 pages, 2291 KiB

Open AccessReview

Actinomycete Potential as Biocontrol Agent of Phytopathogenic Fungi: Mechanisms, Source, and Applications

by Juan A. Torres-Rodriguez, Juan J. Reyes-Pérez, Evangelina E. Quiñones-Aguilar and Luis G. Hernandez-Montiel

Plants 2022, 11(23), 3201; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11233201 - 23 Nov 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5320

Abstract

Synthetic fungicides have been the main control of phytopathogenic fungi. However, they cause harm to humans, animals, and the environment, as well as generating resistance in phytopathogenic fungi. In the last few decades, the use of microorganisms as biocontrol agents of phytopathogenic fungi [...] Read more.

Synthetic fungicides have been the main control of phytopathogenic fungi. However, they cause harm to humans, animals, and the environment, as well as generating resistance in phytopathogenic fungi. In the last few decades, the use of microorganisms as biocontrol agents of phytopathogenic fungi has been an alternative to synthetic fungicide application. Actinomycetes isolated from terrestrial, marine, wetland, saline, and endophyte environments have been used for phytopathogenic fungus biocontrol. At present, there is a need for searching new secondary compounds and metabolites of different isolation sources of actinomycetes; however, little information is available on those isolated from other environments as biocontrol agents in agriculture. Therefore, the objective of this review is to compare the antifungal activity and the main mechanisms of action in actinomycetes isolated from different environments and to describe recent achievements of their application in agriculture. Although actinomycetes have potential as biocontrol agents of phytopathogenic fungi, few studies of actinomycetes are available of those from marine, saline, and wetland environments, which have equal or greater potential as biocontrol agents than isolates of actinomycetes from terrestrial environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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13 pages, 315 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

An Alternative Source of Biopesticides and Improvement in Their Formulation—Recent Advances

by Dragana Šunjka and Špela Mechora

Plants 2022, 11(22), 3172; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11223172 - 20 Nov 2022

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5352

Abstract

Plant protection in contemporary agriculture requires intensive pesticide application. Their use has enabled the increase in yields, simplifying cultivation systems and crop protection strategies, through successful control of harmful organisms. However, it has led to the accumulation of pesticides in agricultural products and [...] Read more.

Plant protection in contemporary agriculture requires intensive pesticide application. Their use has enabled the increase in yields, simplifying cultivation systems and crop protection strategies, through successful control of harmful organisms. However, it has led to the accumulation of pesticides in agricultural products and the environment, contaminating the ecosystem and causing adverse health effects. Therefore, finding new possibilities for plant protection and effective control of pests without consequences for humans and the environment is imperative for agricultural production. The most important alternatives to the use of chemical plant protection products are biopesticides. However, in order to increase their application and availability, it is necessary to improve efficacy and stability through new active substances and improved formulations. This paper represents an overview of the recent knowledge in the field of biopesticides and discusses the possibilities of the use of some new active substances and the improvement of formulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

20 pages, 728 KiB

Open AccessReview

Understanding Molecular Plant–Nematode Interactions to Develop Alternative Approaches for Nematode Control

by Mahfouz M. M. Abd-Elgawad

Plants 2022, 11(16), 2141; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11162141 - 17 Aug 2022

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4659

Abstract

Developing control measures of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) rank high as they cause big crop losses globally. The growing awareness of numerous unsafe chemical nematicides and the defects found in their alternatives are calling for rational molecular control of the nematodes. This control focuses [...] Read more.

Developing control measures of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) rank high as they cause big crop losses globally. The growing awareness of numerous unsafe chemical nematicides and the defects found in their alternatives are calling for rational molecular control of the nematodes. This control focuses on using genetically based plant resistance and exploiting molecular mechanisms underlying plant–nematode interactions. Rapid and significant advances in molecular techniques such as high-quality genome sequencing, interfering RNA (RNAi) and gene editing can offer a better grasp of these interactions. Efficient tools and resources emanating from such interactions are highlighted herein while issues in using them are summarized. Their revision clearly indicates the dire need to further upgrade knowledge about the mechanisms involved in host-specific susceptibility/resistance mediated by PPN effectors, resistance genes, or quantitative trait loci to boost their effective and sustainable use in economically important plant species. Therefore, it is suggested herein to employ the impacts of these techniques on a case-by-case basis. This will allow us to track and optimize PPN control according to the actual variables. It would enable us to precisely fix the factors governing the gene functions and expressions and combine them with other PPN control tactics into integrated management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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20 pages, 3278 KiB

Open AccessReview

Optimizing Safe Approaches to Manage Plant-Parasitic Nematodes

by Mahfouz M. M. Abd-Elgawad

Plants 2021, 10(9), 1911; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10091911 - 14 Sep 2021

Cited by 53 | Viewed by 5468

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) infect and cause substantial yield losses of many foods, feed, and fiber crops. Increasing concern over chemical nematicides has increased interest in safe alternative methods to minimize these losses. This review focuses on the use and potential of current methods [...] Read more.

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) infect and cause substantial yield losses of many foods, feed, and fiber crops. Increasing concern over chemical nematicides has increased interest in safe alternative methods to minimize these losses. This review focuses on the use and potential of current methods such as biologicals, botanicals, non-host crops, and related rotations, as well as modern techniques against PPNs in sustainable agroecosystems. To evaluate their potential for control, this review offers overviews of their interactions with other biotic and abiotic factors from the standpoint of PPN management. The positive or negative roles of specific production practices are assessed in the context of integrated pest management. Examples are given to reinforce PPN control and increase crop yields via dual-purpose, sequential, and co-application of agricultural inputs. The involved PPN control mechanisms were reviewed with suggestions to optimize their gains. Using the biologicals would preferably be backed by agricultural conservation practices to face issues related to their reliability, inconsistency, and slow activity against PPNs. These practices may comprise offering supplementary resources, such as adequate organic matter, enhancing their habitat quality via specific soil amendments, and reducing or avoiding negative influences of pesticides. Soil microbiome and planted genotypes should be manipulated in specific nematode-suppressive soils to conserve native biologicals that serve to control PPNs. Culture-dependent techniques may be expanded to use promising microbial groups of the suppressive soils to recycle in their host populations. Other modern techniques for PPN control are discussed to maximize their efficient use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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18 pages, 907 KiB

Open AccessReview

Photorhabdus spp.: An Overview of the Beneficial Aspects of Mutualistic Bacteria of Insecticidal Nematodes

by Mahfouz M. M. Abd-Elgawad

Plants 2021, 10(8), 1660; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081660 - 12 Aug 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4315

Abstract

The current approaches to sustainable agricultural development aspire to use safer means to control pests and pathogens. Photorhabdus bacteria that are insecticidal symbionts of entomopathogenic nematodes in the genus Heterorhabditis can provide such a service with a treasure trove of insecticidal compounds and [...] Read more.

The current approaches to sustainable agricultural development aspire to use safer means to control pests and pathogens. Photorhabdus bacteria that are insecticidal symbionts of entomopathogenic nematodes in the genus Heterorhabditis can provide such a service with a treasure trove of insecticidal compounds and an ability to cope with the insect immune system. This review highlights the need of Photorhabdus-derived insecticidal, fungicidal, pharmaceutical, parasiticidal, antimicrobial, and toxic materials to fit into current, or emerging, holistic strategies, mainly for managing plant pests and pathogens. The widespread use of these bacteria, however, has been slow, due to cost, natural presence within the uneven distribution of their nematode partners, and problems with trait stability during in vitro culture. Yet, progress has been made, showing an ability to overcome these obstacles via offering affordable mass production and mastered genome sequencing, while detecting more of their beneficial bacterial species/strains. Their high pathogenicity to a wide range of arthropods, efficiency against diseases, and versatility, suggest future promising industrial products. The many useful properties of these bacteria can facilitate their integration with other pest/disease management tactics for crop protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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15 pages, 324 KiB

Open AccessReview

An Overview of Some Biopesticides and Their Importance in Plant Protection for Commercial Acceptance

by Jitendra Kumar, Ayyagari Ramlal, Dharmendra Mallick and Vachaspati Mishra

Plants 2021, 10(6), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10061185 - 10 Jun 2021

Cited by 215 | Viewed by 21000

Abstract

Biopesticides are natural, biologically occurring compounds that are used to control various agricultural pests infesting plants in forests, gardens, farmlands, etc. There are different types of biopesticides that have been developed from various sources. This paper underscores the utility of biocontrol agents composed [...] Read more.

Biopesticides are natural, biologically occurring compounds that are used to control various agricultural pests infesting plants in forests, gardens, farmlands, etc. There are different types of biopesticides that have been developed from various sources. This paper underscores the utility of biocontrol agents composed of microorganisms including bacteria, cyanobacteria, and microalgae, plant-based compounds, and recently applied RNAi-based technology. These techniques are described and suggestions are made for their application in modern agricultural practices for managing crop yield losses due to pest infestation. Biopesticides have several advantages over their chemical counterparts and are expected to occupy a large share of the market in the coming period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Alternative Measures in Plant Protection)

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