TL;DR
The importance of host biochemical defenses in resistance to C. cupreata is demonstrated and provide a strong foundation for selecting resistant poplar clones and developing sustainable pest management strategies.
The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a devastating pest of maize, and host plant resistance offers a sustainable alternative to chemical control. This study evaluated the resistance of the maize germplasm CH1 against FAW through life table parameters, feeding and oviposition preferences and greenhouse experiment. Results showed that FAW larvae reared on CH1 exhibited significantly prolonged larval development (21.61 d vs. 12.49 d), reduced survival (65.00% vs. 94.00%), and lower fecundity (689.00 vs. 1369.93 eggs per female) compared to those on the susceptible control Huang C. Population parameters, including the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and net reproductive rate (R0), were significantly lower on CH1. Behavioral assays revealed strong feeding and oviposition preferences for Huang C over CH1. Greenhouse experiment confirmed that CH1 plants sustained only minor damage (Davis scale grade 2, resistant), whereas Huang C plants were severely damaged (grade 7, susceptible). These findings demonstrate that CH1 possesses multi-dimensional resistance against FAW, providing a promising genetic resource for breeding FAW-resistant maize varieties and supporting sustainable pest management strategies.
Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a major maize pest requiring effective and environmentally sustainable management strategies. This study evaluated the efficacy of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, pheromone traps, and their integration under field conditions in Iraq. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were observed among treatments for larval density, plant infestation, and damage severity. The untreated control recorded the highest larval density (3.46 larvae plant-1), infestation (52.4%), and damage severity (2.86). In contrast, the combined application of B. bassiana + pheromone traps provided the greatest suppression, reducing larval density to 0.92 larvae plant-1 (73.4% reduction), infestation to 18.7% (64.3% reduction), and damage severity to 1.21 (57.7% reduction) relative to the control. Among individual treatments, B. bassiana was more effective than M. anisopliae, reducing larval density to 1.35 larvae plant-1, infestation to 24.5%, and damage severity to 1.48. Pheromone traps alone provided moderate suppression, with corresponding values of 2.14 larvae plant-1, 33.6%, and 1.94, respectively. The superior performance of the combined treatment was attributed to simultaneous suppression of larvae by fungal infection and adult males through pheromone trapping, although synergistic interaction was not statistically established. Overall, integrating entomopathogenic fungi with pheromone-based control showed strong potential for reducing S. frugiperda populations and maize damage while supporting sustainable integrated pest management under field conditions.
Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium udum Butler, is a major biotic constraint limiting pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Huth) productivity in tropical and subtropical regions. Wilt incidence varied widely among 143 pigeonpea genotypes, ranging from 0.40 to 15.60 % at 30 days after sowing and escalating to 2.00 to 78.00 % at 75 DAS. Area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) values ranged from 57.9 to 2258.1, indicating diverse disease progression. Based on the percent disease index (PDI), relative AUDPC (rAUDPC) and r-values, genotypes were categorised as resistant (38.5 %), moderately resistant (37.8 %), susceptible (11.9 %) and highly susceptible (11.9 %). Notable resistant genotypes included Pusa Arhar 21-60, ICP 8863 and NAM 88. In vitro evaluation of seven plant extracts at 10, 15 and 20 ppm using the poisoned food technique revealed significant variation in antifungal activity. Thuja occidentalis L., Cannabis sativa L. and Mentha spicata L. consistently exhibited the highest inhibition in a dose-dependent manner, whereas Chenopodium album L. was least effective. Integration of resistant genotypes with potent botanical extracts offers an eco-friendly strategy for sustainable management of Fusarium wilt in pigeonpea.
The spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is an invasive pest threatening maize production in Türkiye, with larvae inflicting serious damage to stems and cobs. This study evaluated four maize varieties (Hera, DS 0224, AGM 2468, and AGM 2356) under natural infestation in Hatay Province during the 2025 main-crop season, focusing on larval density, feeding damage, and the relationship with plant morphological traits. Significant varietal differences were detected across all major parameters. Hera recorded the highest larval density (2.10 larvae/plant), larvae per stem (1.46) and cob (0.64), exit holes (4.15/plant), and infestation rates in plants (59%), stems (43%), and cobs (31%). In contrast, AGM 2356 showed the lowest larval density (0.51/plant), exit holes (3.00), and infestation rates (plants 22.5%; stems 16.3%; cobs 12%), indicating relative tolerance. DS 0224 (0.79 larvae plant-1; 45% plant infestation) and AGM 2468 (1.17 larvae/plant; 50% plant infestation) exhibited intermediate susceptibility. Tunnel length did not differ significantly among varieties (6.1-7.7 cm). Correlation analysis revealed that cob height, plant height, stem diameter, leaf width, and cob length were positively associated with larval density (p < .001), whereas cob diameter showed a negative relationship. Leaf length and spike length exhibited weak negative correlations. These findings demonstrate that varietal resistance to C. partellus is strongly influenced by plant architecture. The identification of tolerant variety such as AGM 2356, alongside the recognition of morphological traits associated with susceptibility, provides a valuable foundation for breeding programs and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to mitigate the impact of this invasive pest in Türkiye.
Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) is a widely distributed polyphagous pest, associated with soybean stay-green syndrome, causing substantial yield losses across Asia. Continued reliance on chemical control remains problematic, highlighting the need for sustainable biological alternatives. In this study, we comparatively evaluated the parasitism performance, host-feeding behavior, developmental traits, and host-age preference of five egg parasitoids of the genus Anastatus (A. dexingensis, A. fulloi, A. gansuensis, A. japonicus, and A. shichengensis) on R. pedestris eggs of different ages (0-, 2-, 4-, and 6-d-old). All five parasitoid species successfully completed development on R. pedestris eggs, with offspring emergence rates ranging from 82% to 100%. Parasitism and host-feeding were strongly influenced by host egg age, with all species showing a clear preference for 0- to 2-d-old. Anastatus dexingensis and A. japonicus parasitized the highest number of host eggs (13.5 and 12.3 eggs/24 h, respectively), whereas the thelytokous A. gansuensis exhibited the strongest host-feeding activity (3.8 eggs/24 h). In contrast, A. fulloi and A. shichengensis produced no female progeny, whereas A. dexingensis and A. japonicus produced less than 20% female offspring. Developmental duration generally increased with host age, indicating that older host eggs may be less suitable for parasitoid development. Overall, A. dexingensis and A. japonicus appear well suited for short-term suppression of R. pedestris through inundative releases, whereas the thelytokous A. gansuensis shows strong potential for long-term, sustainable population regulation, making it promising for augmentative biocontrol. These findings provide a scientific basis for selecting effective Anastatus spp. and optimizing egg-stage biocontrol strategies against R. pedestris.