This study compared the weed suppression ability of a native cover crop species phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), an introduced cover crop species rye (Secale cereale L.), and a no cover crop (herbicide‑managed) system in a vineyard. Cover crops were sown in the interrow spaces of the grapevine rows. Percent weed cover after the cover crop termination was lower in the interrow of the phacelia than the no cover crop plots. During the cover crop growing season, phacelia suppressed weeds more than rye. However, the weed seedbank of the cover crop plots was greater than that of the no cover crop plots.

We produced an extract of Melia azedarach and assessed its potential for managing health problems in Eucalyptus nurseries. We assessed different extraction parameters, looking for maximizing extraction efficiency. The enhanced percolation technique showed an efficient extraction process, facilitated using bioethanol as a solvent at room temperature. We carried out field trials to check the efficacy of the extract. We observed a decreased severity and incidence of powdery mildew after application of the extract, and a reduction in the infestation of B. occidentalis. These results highlight the potential of this extract as a sustainable alternative to chemical biocides.

Olive anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum is the most destructive olive disease worldwide causing blossom blight and fruit root. The in vitro effect of 14 fungicides from six chemical groups on the mycelial growth inhibition of Colletotrichum acutatum s.s., Colletotrichum nymphaeae, and Colletotrichum fioriniae isolates were evaluated. Tebuconazole, pyraclostrobin, and ziram significantly inhibit the mycelial growth of Colletotrichum spp. The effectiveness of these three fungicides was evaluated on detached flowers and copper oxychloride, cuprous oxide, and copper calcium sulfate on detached fruits. Arbequina, Frantoio, Coratina, and Picual cultivars inoculated with these Colletotrichum species were used. Over the flowers, fungicides caused a delay in the appearance of blossom blight between 24 and 48 h and a reduction in the disease incidence by more than 60%. Over the fruits, copper-based fungicides in general failed to reduce the anthracnose severity. This study presents the potential of some fungicides to be used for olive anthracnose control in an integrated management strategy.

Although over 350 species of plants have been documented to host the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), its invasion in West Africa has been mainly on maize. This study investigated the factors that limit the host utilization and tested the effects of intercropping of Poaceae (maize, sorghum, rice and Proso millet), Solanaceae (tomato and sweet pepper), and Fabaceae (cowpea and soybean) plants on FAW severity. The laboratory larvae fed with those crops showed higher pupation rates for maize (33.6%) than sorghum (20%), rice (24.2%), Proso millet (17.6%), tomato (fruit = 5.3% and leaf = 6 .4%), sweet pepper (fruit = 1.3% and leaf = 1.6%). Only larvae fed with Poaceae plants reached the adult stage. Female ovipositional potentiality was higher with maize compared to other Poaceae plants. In the field experiments, FAW severities were recorded only on Poaceae plants. However, the severity of FAW was significantly reduced on the intercropped maize with other crops compared to monocultures of maize. Therefore, intercropping can be considered as an eco-friendly FAW-IPM program in West Africa.

To create effective policies for promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) it is crucial to comprehend farmers’ attitudes toward IPM. A survey of 306 rice farmers was conducted to assess the perceived advantages and disadvantages of IPM practices and explain variations in perceptions among different groups of farmers. Through factor analysis, the primary advantages and disadvantages of utilizing IPM in farm field were categorized into six factors, namely: low efficacy in pest control, personal drawbacks, weak technical and support services (as disadvantages of IPM), as well as health benefits, cost effectiveness, and social advantages (as advantages of IPM). The cumulative percentage of variance accounted for by these six factors was 71.052%, with 36.78% of the variance stemming from positive aspects and 34.28% from negative aspects of IPM practices. Educated farmers showed a preference for IPM advantages (p < .001), while affluent farmers leaned towards IPM disadvantages (p < .020). Farmers with high rice production prioritized IPM disadvantages (p < .001), with those perceiving pesticides as harmful showing less preference for IPM drawbacks (p < .001). Training recipients favored IPM benefits (p < .000) and less so the drawbacks (p < .013). Farmers at health risk due to pesticides prioritized IPM advantages (p < .030) and lessened emphasis on disadvantages (p < .041). Additionally, farmers implementing IPM practices valued IPM advantages more (p < .000013) and disadvantages less (p < .000004). Using the scale from this research, agricultural extension services can tailor education efforts to emphasize the benefits of IPM practices and how to address their drawbacks, promoting widespread adoption of IPM among farmers.

Rodent pests pose significant impacts to agricultural systems and public health globally. Effective strategies for sustainable management while minimizing environmental impacts are crucial. To address the multifaceted nature of rodent impacts, well-coordinated initiatives are necessary to support control strategies, raise awareness among authorities, and inform the public. There is increasing global evidence of Working Groups delivering successful management of a range of natural resource management issues. We outline three case study working groups to tackle rodent pests: (1) National Mouse Group in Australia to manage mouse plague impacts, (2) Working Group Common Vole Management in Germany to manage common vole impacts, and (3) FREDON network for vole management in France. Each working group evolved independently, but all have remarkably similar structures, including monitoring, modelling/forecasting, regular stakeholder meetings (including producers, researchers, government agency staff and others), developing advice for management and identifying research priorities. The success of these working groups was related to: (1) broad stakeholder engagement (particularly farmers/producers), (2) dedicated funding to conduct direct research to inform control strategies, (3) maintained momentum through all phases of rodent population cycles, and (4) benefit for all stakeholders. As rodenticides are increasingly restricted, such working groups will become more important in the future, because stakeholder engagement is necessary to develop rodent management “toolboxes”.

In this work, we evaluated the activity of coumarins against larvae Spodoptera frugiperda in a group of compounds (1-7) purchased from SIGMA-ALDRICH (96% purity, as informed by the manufacturer) and a group of coumarin derivatives (compounds 8-15) synthesized according to suitable chemistry procedures. Coumarins were synthesized by the Pechmann method under solvent-free conditions using a bulk Keggin heteropolyacid. The compounds represent a valuable resource for future studies of plant chemical defense. Results indicate that coumarins: (12) 7-methyl-3,4-dimethyl-2H-chromen-2-one, (14) 7-hydroxy-3,4 dimethyl-2H-chromen-2-one, and (15) 4-methyl-2H-benzo[h]-chromen-2-one have highly significant insect growth regulatory activity. Furthermore, sublethal effects were observed such as pupal mortality and adult deformities. Compounds (13) 4,6,7-trimethyl-2H-chromen-2-one and (14) 7-hydroxy-3,4 dimethyl-2H-chromen-2-one caused pupal mortality higher than 40%. The quantitative structure-activity relationships were determined using the available data with the purpose of predicting the toxicity activity of a number of structurally related coumarins. A molecular structure and biological activity relationship is suggested. The observed effects were in part produced by severe alterations of the epithelial cells of the midgut.

Considering the cryptic life cycle of Hylesinus taranio (Dantoine), the prediction of adult emergence is the first step to establish the optimum timing for its management. The fieldwork was carried out over four years (2016 - 2019) in Lécera (Zaragoza, Spain). H. taranio was monitored from early April in larval phase until adult emergence in June when all pupal chambers were empty. The H. taranio development and the olive grove phenology were the variables considered to test whether there is a relationship between them. The strength of this relationship and the uncertainty coefficient were assessed. The most significant relationships (p < 0.001) were examined, being the association pupae/corolla coloration change and pupal chamber empty/freshly formed fruits those which show the highest contribution percentage to the relationship. The results substantiate that the olive grove phenology predicts the H. taranio development, becoming an easy strategy for the farmer to predict the adults on release, which could to decide the optimum timing of H. taranio management by only watching for olive grove phenophases. Accordingly, some management measures are suggested for reducing the density of H. taranio in the olive groves.

The haphazard and irrational use of chemical pesticides has led to pest resurgence and pesticide resistance, posing a significant challenge in the management of economically important pests. Farming systems built on integrated pest management (IPM) can minimize the use of chemical pesticides and secure soil, plant, and human health by controlling pests at the same time. Bactrocera cucurbitae is a serious pest of cucurbitaceous crops including more than other 70 hosts. Though various control strategies have been developed against melon fruit flies, fewer efforts have been paid to establish effective and efficient integrated pest management programs. This review provides an overview of the life cycle and behaviour of melon fruit fly as well as a detailed analysis of the various IPM strategies that have been developed for their control. These strategies include cultural practices, such as weeding, removal of alternate hosts, and field sanitation, biological control methods such as use of natural enemies, and entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana, B. pseudobassiana), use of botanicals (neem, jholmol), and chemical control measures, such as the use of pesticides.

The determination of functional response provides the foundation to determine the efficiency of a natural enemy for its use against a specific crop pest. The results indicated that the number of prey eaten by 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instars, male and female adults of C. undecimpunctata increased significantly with increasing prey density. Prey consumption increased with development of larvae, i.e. the 4th instar consumed more number of aphids at each prey density than the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st instars. Female adults consumed more aphids than the male adults. All stages of C. undecimpunctata exhibit a Type II functional response curve (a curvilinear rise to plateau) as B. brassicae densities increase, and the curve predicted by Holling’s disk equation did not differ significantly from the observed functional response curve. The attack rate was highest with the lowest handling time, when adult females fed on B. brasicae, followed by adult males and 4th instar larvae. However, further field experiments are needed to confirm its potential.