The occurrence of three bamboo aphid species of the genus Takecallis was detected. T. arundicolens (Clarke) and T. arundinariae (Essig) were recorded for the first time in Poland, and new localities for T. nigroantennatus Wieczorek were found. Key diagnostic morphological characteristics to help distinguish these species and DNA barcoding to analyze individuals at the molecular level were provided.

The objective of this investigation was to assess the chemical makeup of essential oil derived from Ptychotis verticillata (PVEO), and to examine its antifungal, insecticidal, and repellent properties. PVEO was extracted through hydrodistillation, and its volatile constituents were analyzed using Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of antifungal activity was carried out using the agar diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test against Candida glabrata, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium digitatum. We evaluated the repellent potential, as well as the contact and inhalation toxicity of PVEO against Callosobruchus maculatus. The results of the study indicated that the essential oil of P. verticillata was composed mainly of γ-Terpinen (25.86%), β-Cymene (18.70%) O-Cymen-5-ol (16.78) and α-Pinene (12.13%). PVEO showed potent antifungal activity against all strains tested. The results of insecticidal activity of this essential oil were promising in adult C. maculatus. At a dose of 20 ml · dm–3 of air, EO caused maximum mortality with an LC50 value of 5.64 ml · dm–3 for the inhalation test and 3.4 ml · dm–3 for the contact test. In addition, a significant decrease in the number of eggs laid and adult emergence was observed as EO doses increased, reaching a reduction of around 95% at a dose of 20 ml · dm–3 of air. In terms of repellent activity, PVEO also showed encouraging results. It demonstrated an average repellent activity of around 92 ± 10.95%. Furthermore, molecular docking simulations corroborated the in vitro results and demonstrated that specific p-Menthen-3-one compounds formed more robust hydrogen bonding interactions with the target receptors. These experiments underscore PVEO’s effectiveness as a fungicide against the tested fungal strains, demonstrating its role as a bio-insecticide against C. maculatus adults, and its potential as an appealing repellent. This suggests that PVEO could serve as a valuable alternative within integrated pest management strategies.

Seed coating technology combined with biopolymers offers an alternative method to reduce environmental contamination. However, when biological agents are incorporated, biopolymers would have diverse properties and effects. This underscores the necessity of exploring the optimal dosages and formulations of biopolymers to ensure the survival of beneficial microorganisms, seed quality, and proper storage. This study aimed to explore the effects of different sodium alginate and chitosan coating formulations on Trichoderma harzianum viability and canola seeds quality. The coating process involved mixing T. harzianum powder with sodium alginate, talc and chitosan in different doses, sequences and formulations. Trichoderma harzianum viability was assessed through colony-forming units per ml over time. Canola seed quality was evaluated by measuring radicle emergence, germination percentage, seedling growth, and field emergence. Sodium alginate, both alone and in combination with talc, improved T. harzianum viability immediately after treatment and during storage. These coatings did not impair seed germination and improved canola root growth. Among the different chitosan formulations, a 1 : 100 ratio in talc improved strain survival and root growth without affecting germination, radicle, and field emergence. Coating canola seeds is a practical alternative to the application of T. harzianum, sodium alginate and talc, as it preserves their viability over time and improves seedling performance. Chitosan formulations in acetic acid should be carefully developed to prevent negative effects on seeds or biological agents.

Biological diversity within a mixture field allows for better use of habitat and agro-technical conditions by the mixtures, which can be seen by higher and more stable yields than varieties sown separately. Our studies were conducted in the growing seasons 2011/2012–2014/2015 as field experiments with four winter barley varieties (Bombaj, Gil, Gregor, Bażant) and three, two- and three-component mixtures (Bombaj/Gil, Bombaj/Gregor, Gil/Gregor/Bażant). Seven different chemical treatments with fungicides were applied. The aim of this study was to compare the different varieties of winter barley with their mixtures for resistance to powdery mildew infection. To achieve this aim the logistic model for the analysis of data was used. Of the varieties under consideration, the best and the most resistant variety was Gregor, while the weakest and the most susceptible to diseases (powdery mildew) was Gil. This variety was also significantly weaker than any of the other mixtures taken into account. Moreover, it was so weak that when it was included in mixtures with other varieties, it weakened these mixtures as well.

The rose flea beetle, RFB (Luperomorpha xanthodera Fairmaire 1888) is a new flower pest in Europe. In 2012, it was brought accidentally to central Poland. To search for this introduced species in the area adjacent to the site of the first finding, 29 plant species belonging to five botanical families (Lamiaceae, Brassicaceae, Asteraceae, Plantaginaceae, Crassulaceae) were monitored over a 3-year-long study (2016−2018). RFB were found on 11 herbaceous/ ornamental plant species (Lamiaceae, Brassicaceae, Asteraceae) along with feeding damage to the flowers. White mustard (Sinapis alba L., Brassicaceae), hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.), and Monarda spp. (Lamiaceae) were its most preferred host plants. In each season, RFB females preferred host plants which bloomed abundantly and vividly. However, among the examined plant species there was a large variation in the year-to-year RFB abundance. Over the examined period the RFB extended its abundance exponentially, and its population survived and established itself in the area. The general sex ratio of the beetles was strongly female biased. In the female pool, females with conspicuously swollen abdomens predominated. The results of our study provide more insight into RFB behaviour, its establishment and spreading into new areas. To support the evidence for the RFB risk factor as an agricultural/ horticultural pest, further research should focus on the beetles’ biology, reproductive tactics, larval host plant preference, larva-inflicted damage and harmfulness, the impact of the RFB on the native fauna, as well as its further local and distant migration propensity. Presently our knowledge about these aspects is still fragmentary.

Pantoea species (Pantoea spp.) is a diverse group of Gram-negative bacteria in the Enterobacteriaceae family that leads to devastating diseases in rice plants, thus affecting significant economic losses of rice production worldwide. Most critical rice diseases such as grain discoloration, bacterial leaf blight, stem necrosis and inhibition of seed germination have been reported to be caused by this pathogen. To date, 20 Pantoea spp. have been identified and recognized as having similar phenotypic and diverse characteristics. Detection via phenotypic and molecular-based approaches, for example the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and multiplex PCR give us a better understanding of the diversity of Pantoea genus and helps to improve effective disease control strategies against this emergent bacterial pathogen of rice. In this review, we focused on the significance of rice diseases caused by Pantoea spp. and insights on the taxonomy and characteristics of this destructive pathogen via phenotypic and molecular identification.

Determination of interference periods, competitive ability and economic threshold level (ETL) are important tools for integrated weed management (IWM) in barley. The objective of the work was to determine the periods of interference, the competitive ability and the ETL of weeds in barley (Hordeum vulgare). Two field experiments were carried out, in a randomized block design, with four replications. In this study, the periods of coexistence and control for ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and turnip (Raphanus raphanistrum) infesting barley cultivar, cv. ANA 01 were evaluated. The coexistence periods and/or control were: 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 120 days after barley emergence (DAE). In experiment 2the treatments for determination of ETLs were composed by barley cultivars (BRS Suábia, ANA 01, BRS Korbel, BRS Manduri, BRS Cauê and BRS Greta), and turnip densities, from zero (0) to maximum densities of 816, 788, 948, 394, 584 and 618 plants · m−2, in competition with each cultivar. Control of turnip and ryegrass should be adopted in barley in the period between 12 to 22 DAE, which is described as a critical control period. The rectangular hyperbola adequately estimates losses in grain yield due to turnip infestation. There is an effect on the competitive ability of the cultivars in relation to turnip, which resulted in ETLs that ranged from 0.27 to 1.99 plants · m−2. The cultivars BRS Greta, BRS Suábia, ANA 01 and BRS Manduri were the most competitive in the presence of turnip.

The shipment of cut flowers from Colombia and Ecuador to the United States, the biggest importer of this product in the world, has doubled in the last 20 years. One of the main constraints in cut roses production is the gray mold disease caused by the fungus Bot rytis cinerea, which can destroy the flowers, in the crop, during storage and/or shipping. Since the resistance of the fungus to conventional fungicides has been increasing, as well as the health effects in rose growers, alternative approaches for controlling the disease are needed. The effect of UV-C light on the gray mold development in cut roses was studied. Irradiation with 2,160; 1,080 and 540 J ⋅ m -2 UV-C, every 24 h for 5 days in a humid chamber, did not harm the roses. Instead, as seen by image analysis, a highly significant reduction of the area of the lesions by the disease and of the fungus germination was obtained at 1,080 J ⋅ m -2 . The addition of a 4-h dark period to the irradiation did not improve the effect of UV-C on the disease. The results of this work potentiate the use of UV-C light in the agro-industry as a low-cost and non-invasive alternative method to control diseases. They also reflect the application of optical approaches as image analysis in the evaluation of important agricultural features.

Straw is a valuable by-product of crop production which can be used for various purposes (livestock feed and bedding, bioenergy). However, it should primarily be retained on farmlands to prevent soil organic matter (SOM) losses. Straw retained on the field is usually incorporated into the soil when conventional (with ploughing) and reduced tillage systems are used or left on the soil surface (mulching) when a no-tillage system is practiced. The aim of this study was to determine how different straw management practices (straw removal, straw incorporation and straw mulching) affected the incidence of Cephalosporium gramineum on two winter wheat cultivars, the grain yield of these cultivars and selected soil properties based on a long-term micro-plot experiment. Cephalosporium stripe disease was absent or occurred at very low levels (0-2.4%) when straw was removed or incorporated every second year. The disease was most severe, 24-33% tillers infected, in the SM(N) treatment with yearly straw mulching and cv. Bogatka was more tolerant to C. gramineum infection than cv. Bamberka. Importantly, yearly straw incorporation into the soil in contrast to straw mulching resulted in low disease levels (5-8% tillers infected) in both cultivars. Only in the case of cv. Bamberka was the grain yield significantly reduced in the SM(N) treatment compared to other treatments. The soil in this experiment contained the lowest level of soil SOM, which amounted to 21.0 g • kg -1 soil dry matter (DM), when each year wheat straw was removed (SR). Straw incorporation every second year resulted in 24.2 g of SOM • kg -1 soil and the largest amounts of SOM (26.0-26.1 g • kg -1 soil) were found with yearly straw incorporation into the soil. Yearly straw mulching was inferior in this respect and the soil in this treatment contained 23.8 g of SOM • kg -1 soil DM.

In the spring of 2019, many plants, mainly winter wheat, were observed to have dwarfism and leaf yellowing symptoms. These plants from several regions of Poland were collected and sent to the Plant Disease Clinic of the Institute of Plant Protection – National Research Institute in Poznań to test for the presence of viral diseases. Double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) results showed numerous cases of Wheat dwarf virus (WDV) and a few cases of plant infections caused by Barley yellow dwarf viruses (BYDVs). WDV was detected in 163 out of 236 tested winter wheat plants (69.1%), in 10 out of 27 tested winter barley plants (37%) and in 6 out of 7 triticale plants (85.7%) while BYDVs were found, respectively, in 9.7% (23 out of 236) and in 18.5% (5 out of 27) of tested winter forms of wheat and barley plants. Infected plants came mainly from the regions of Lower Silesia and Greater Poland. Furthermore, individual cases of infections were also confirmed in the following districts: Lubusz, Opole, Silesia, Kuyavia- -Pomerania and Warmia-Masuria. Results of Duplex-immunocapture-polymerase chain reaction (Duplex-IC-PCR) indicated the dominance of WDV-W form in wheat and WDV-B form in barley plants. Moreover, results of reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) connected with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, performed for 17 BYDVs samples, revealed 8 BYDV-PAS, 4 BYDV-MAV and 2 BYDVPAV as well as the presence of two mixed infections of BYDV-MAV/-PAS and one case of BYDV-MAV/-PAV. Next, RT-PCR reactions confirmed single BYDV-GAV infection and the common presence of BYDV-SGV. To the best of our knowledge, in 2020 the viruses were not a big threat to cereal crops in Poland.