An integrated pest management program for managing fusarium head blight disease in cereals

Fusarium head blight(FHB)is a worldwide devastating disease of small grain cereals and Fusarium graminearum species complex(FGSC)is the major pathogen causing the disease.The epidemics of FHB lead to the reduction of grain yield and economic losses.Additionally,mycotoxins produced by the FHB pathogens are hazardous to the health of human and livestock.In this review,we summarize the epidemiology of FHB,and introduce effects of this disease on economy,environment and food safety.We focus on the integrated management approaches for controlling FHB including agronomic practices,resistant cultivars,chemical control,and biocontrol.In addition,we also discuss the potential novel management strategies against FHB and mycotoxin.

Integrated pest management programme for cereal blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae

Magnaporthe oryzae,the causal agent of blast diseases,is a destructive filamentous fungus that infects many plants including most economically important food crops,rice,wheat,pearl millet and finger millet.Magnaporthe oryzae has numerous pathotypes because of its high host-specificity in the field.The Oryza pathotype(MoO)of M.oryzae is the most devastating pathogen of rice,causing 10–30%yield loss in the world.On the other hand,the Triticum pathotype(MoT)causes blast disease in wheat,which is now a serious threat to wheat production in some South American countries,Bangladesh and Zambia.Because of low fungicide efficacy against the blast diseases and lack of availability of resistant varieties,control of rice and wheat blast diseases is difficult.Therefore,an integrated management programme should be adopted to control these two diseases in the field.Here,we introduced and summarized the classification,geographical distribution,host range,disease symptoms,biology and ecology,economic impact,and integrated pest management(IPM)programme of both rice and wheat blast diseases.

Recent progress in maize lethal necrosis disease:From pathogens to integrated pest management

Maize(Zea mays),as a staple food and an important industrial raw material,has been widely cultivated for centuries especially by smallholder farmers.Maize lethal necrosis disease(MLND)is a serious disease infecting maize,which caused devastating damage in the African region recently.MLND is induced by co-infection of maize chlorotic mottle virus and one of several cereal-infecting viruses in the Potyviridae family,with the symptoms ranging from chlorotic mottle to plant death at different infection stages.Integrated pest management for MLND needs strengthening detection,focusing on prevention and effective control.Early detection system of MLND has been successfully established by serological methods,nucleic acid-based methods,next-generation sequencing,etc.The practices,such as using certified seeds,sanitary measures,crop rotation,tolerant or resistant varieties etc.,have been considered as the effective,economical and eco-friendly way to prevent and control MLND.

Integrated pest management concepts for red imported fire ants Solenopsis invicta （Hymenoptera： Formicidae）

Management of imported fire ant species has evolved since their accidental introduction into the United States and currently uses integrated pest management concepts to design, implement, and evaluate suppression programs. Although eradication is the management goal in certain isolated infestation sites, localized goals vary dramatically in larger infestations where reinvasion of treated areas is likely. These goals are influenced by regulatory policies, medical liabilities, ecological impact, and/or economic considerations. Tactics employed in fire ant management programs presented here include cultural and biological control options along with judicious use of site-specific insecticide products. In addition, program design considerations that include management goal（s）, action level（s）, ant form （monogyne or polygyne）, presence ofnontarget ant species, size of treatment area, seasonality, implementation cost, and environmental impact are also presented. Optimally, elegant IPM programs are target specific, threshold driven, environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Integrated Pest Management System with Impulsive Control of Spatial Heterogeneity

An impulsive integrated pest management system with diffusion is investigated within this paper.The conditions for pest eradication of the impulsive system without natural enemies are established based on the Krein-Rutman theorem and the comparison principle for parabolic equations.Integrated pest management can be achieved at an exponential rate,when the principal eigenvalues of the auxiliary system is large enough.Numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the theoretical results.A discussion is given at the end.

Potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans:From molecular interactions to integrated management strategies

Over 170 years after the infamous Irish Potato Famine,potato late blight(PLB)caused by Phytophthora infestans remains the single most devastating disease of global potato production,causing up to 10 billion USD in yield loss and management costs.Through decades of research,growers and agronomists in the field as well as laboratory scientists have made significant progress in understanding the molecular pathogenesis process of this critical pathosystem and effective management strategies to control PLB.Yet,the need to feed an ever-increasing global population under changing climate demands continued improvement in efficient and sustainable PLB management schemes that can be implemented across a broad economic spectrum.In this review,we briefly summarize the current understanding of the molecular interaction between P.infestans and its host plants,highlight the current integrated pest management strategy to control PLB on local and continental scales,and discuss the potential of further improvement of sustainable PLB control through genetic enhancement of crop resistance and emerging crop protection technologies.

DNA Barcoding of Insects and Its Direct Application for Plant Protection

The introduction of invasive insect pests across national borders has become a major concern in crop production. Accordingly, national plant protection organizations are challenge to reinforce their monitoring strategies, which are hampered by the weight and size of inspection equipment, as well as the taxonomic extensiveness of interrupted species. Moreover, some insect pests that impede farmer productivity and profitability are difficult for researchers to address on time due to a lack of appropriate plant protection measures. Farmers’ reliance on synthetic pesticides and biocontrol agents has resulted in major economic and environmental ramifications. DNA barcoding is a novel technology that has the potential to improve Integrated Pest Management decision-making, which is dependent on the ability to correctly identify pest and beneficial organisms. This is due to some natural traits such as phenology or pesticide susceptibility browbeaten by IPM strategies to avert pest establishment. Specifically, Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence information was applied effectively for the identification of some micro-organisms. This technology, DNA barcoding, allows for the identification of insect species by using short, standardized gene sequences. DNA barcoding is basically based on repeatable and accessible technique that allows for the mechanisation or automation of species discrimination. This technique bridges the taxonomic bio-security gap and meets the International Plant Protection Convention diagnostic standards for insect identification. This review therefore discusses DNA barcoding as a technique for insect pests’ identification and its potential application for crop protection.

Thrips: Pests of Concern to China and the United States

Thrips are among the most important agricultural pests globally because of the damage inflicted by their oviposition, feeding, and ability to transmit plant viruses. Because of their invasiveness, a number of pest species are common to both China and the United States and present significant challenges to growers of a wide range of crops in both countries. Among the pest thrips common to both countries are four of the major global thrips pests, Frankliniella occidentalis （Pergande）, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, Thrips palmi Karny, and Thrips tabaci Lindeman. This review addresses characteristics that enable thrips to be such damaging pests and how biological attributes of thrips create challenges for their management. Despite these challenges, a number of successful management tactics have been developed for various cropping systems. We discuss some of these tactics that have been developed, including the use of cultural controls, biological controls, and judicious use of insecticides that do not disrupt overall pest management programs. The exchange of this type of information will help to facilitate management of pest thrips, especially in regions where species have recently invaded. A prime example is F. occidentalis, the western flower thrips, which is native to the United States, but has recently invaded China. Therefore, management tactics developed in the United States can be adapted to China. Because further success in management of thrips requires a thorough understanding of thrips ecology, we discuss areas of future research and emphasize the importance of collaboration among different countries to enhance our overall understanding of the biology and ecology of thrips and to improve management programs for these widespread pests.

Ecology and management of the black inch worm, Hyposidra talaca Walker (Geometridae： Lepidoptera) infesting Camellia sinensis (Theaceae)： A review

The black inch worm, Hyposidra talaca （Walker） （Geometridae： Lepidoptera） has earned considerable importance as a defoliator during last decade in north east India. Characteristic features of H. talaca, Such as switching from wild plants to Camellia sinensis, and completion of 6-8 generations in a year without winter diapause appear to be the major reasons for persistence of the defoliator on C. sinensis. There are reports on the aggressive infestation of the pest on C. sinensis than on alternate host plants and development of high tolerance^resistance to certain insecticides. Till date, more than one hundred alternate host plants have been recorded for H. talaca, but with very few natural enemies. To manage this pest chemically, synthetic pesticides are widely used. Integrated management is recently being encouraged wherein cultural, mechanical, physical, biological and chemical methods have been contemplated. This review collates the work and literature on the ecology of H. talaca and offers an analysis of the problems encountered in managing the defoliator in tea plantations. Further, future directions for better management of H. talaca are suggested.

Evaluation of trap effi ciency for the Asian longhorned beetle,Anoplophora glabripennis

The Asian longhorned beetle(ALB),Anoplophora glabripennis,is a well-known stem borer with high polyphagous properties causing frequent outbreaks in northeast China.An attractant-based trap is needed to improve the sensitivity,reliability,and effi ciency for detection of the beetle.In this study,the eff ects of attractants,trap types and color synergy of a trapping system were evaluated.Attractant blends comprised of the male-produced,two-component pheromone plus plant volatiles were used in the fi eld in Hengshui city.Plant volatiles(e.g.,1-pentanol,and 2-pentanol)in combination with male pheromones increased the mean number of trapped ALB compared to the pheromone alone.Males responded better than females to traps baited with plant volatiles alone,whereas traps emitting plant volatiles plus pheromone,regardless of trap type,captured more females than males.The ALB-trapping effi ciency of a modifi ed fl ight intercept panel trap was more than ten times as high as a woodborer panel trap and 1.2 times a fl ight intercept panel trap.The 1-pentanol and 2-pentanol attractants alone or in combination with male-produced pheromone were more eff ective for monitoring ALB than common lures.In laboratory Y-tube olfactometer experiments,the color brown was better at increasing attraction of both males and females to 1-pentanol,2-pentanol,1-pentanol+pheromone,and 2-pentanol+pheromone compared to the clear-glass control arm.The fi ndings provide a reliable and eff ective trap system to monitor ALB infestations.

Evaluation of Lethal Effects of Chlorantraniliprole on Chilo suppressalis and Its Larval Parasitoid, Cotesia chilonis

Chlorantraniliprole was introduced into China from 2008 as a novel insecticide to control the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis （Walker）. Cotesia chilonis （Matsumura） is the major parasitoid of C. suppressalis. We collected seven populations of C. suppressalis and two populations of C. chilonis in different locations in China in 2009 to investigate the lethal effects of chlorantraniliprole on them. The populations of C. suppressalis from different regions showed various LD50 values ranging from 2.00 to 18.70 ng per larva. Chlorantraniliprole has negligible acute contact toxicity （LC50500 mg L-1） to C. chilonis and its oral toxicity is also much lower than that of fipronil （2 800-fold difference in LC50）. The results indicated that chlorantraniliprole is a good alterative in rice integrated pest management （IPM） programs. The susceptibility data of C. suppressalis will be useful for monitoring resistance levels in future.

Simulation modelling of potato virus Y spread in relation to initial inoculum and vector activity

Potato virus Y(PVY)is a non-persistent virus that is transmitted by many aphid species and causes significant damage to potato production.We constructed a spatially-explicit model simulating PVY spread in a potato field and used it to investigate possible effects of transmission efficiency,initial inoculum levels,vector behavior,vector abundance,and timing of peak vector activity on PVY incidence at the end of a simulated growing season.Lower PVY incidence in planted seed resulted in lower virus infection at the end of the season.However,when populations of efficient PVY vectors were high,significant PVY spread occurred even when initial virus inoculum was low.Non-colonizing aphids were more important for PVY spread compared to colonizing aphids,particularly at high densities.An early-season peak in the numbers of noncolonizing aphids resulted in the highest number of infected plants in the end of the season,while mid-and late-season peaks caused relatively little virus spread.Our results highlight the importance of integrating different techniques to prevent the number of PVY-infected plants from exceeding economically acceptable levels instead of trying to control aphids within potato fields.Such management plans should be implemented very early in a growing season.

Predation Capability of Black Kite (Milvus migrans parasitus) on Locust as a Biological Control Option in Madagascar

In Madagascar, the South and Southwest regions have for decades had locust outbreaks that have devastated crop fields. The locust species dominant in this area are the red locust (Nomadacris septemfasciata) and the Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria capito). This paper aimed at determining the predation values from the Black Kite (Milvus migrans parasitus), a natural enemy for locusts, as a biological measure for locust outbreak control. Two types of experiments were done that included observed predation and experimental predation. It was observed, in the observed predation, that a higher number of locusts were found in the bird’s stomach during the afternoon session (mean = 66) than during the morning session (mean = 21). The high peak observed during the afternoon session was also associated with the feeding of larvae of the migratory locust. The experimental predation results showed that almost 100 percent of the larval and 97 percent of the fledglings were fed on. The experimental predation results also showed that there was no preference for larvae or fledglings in the cage and that the bird fed on the different combinations equally. This study showed that the Black Kite birds can effectively control locust population in an outbreak when they are easy to predate on. However, there is a need to assess the population of birds in locust infested areas to determine if the bird population is enough to predate on a locust outbreak.

New aspects about Supella longipalpa(Blattaria:Blattellidae)

The brown-banded cockroach,Supella longipalpa(Blattaria:Blattellidae)(S.longipalpa),recently has infested the buildings and hospitals in wide areas of Iran,and this review was prepared to identify current knowledge and knowledge gaps about the brown-banded cockroach.Scientific reports and peer-reviewed papers concerning S.longipalpa and relevant topics were collected and synthesized with the objective of learning more about health-related impacts and possible management of S.longipalpa in Iran.Like the German cockroach,the brown-banded cockroach is a known vector for food-borne diseases and drug resistant bacteria,contaminated by infectious disease agents,involved in human intestinal parasites and is the intermediate host of Tnchospirura leptostoma and Moniliformis moniliformis.Because its habitat is widespread,distributed throughout different areas of homes and buildings,it is difficult to control.Considering its possible resistance to insecticides,the control situation may be far more complex.For improved control of S.longipalpa an integrated pest management program is needed.Sanitation,indoor insecticide spraying in the initial cockroach control phase and insecticide formulation baits are recommended simultaneously.

Combination of Piper guineense Essential Oil with Cowpea Varietal Resistance in Control of Cowpea Seed Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera： Chrysomelidae： Bruchinae)

To reduce the risks associated with over-dependence on synthetic insecticides and ensure leguminous food security, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the potentials of integrating Piper guineense essential oil （PgEO） with cowpea varietal resistance in the control of cowpea seed beetle, Callosobruehus maculatus Fabricius. Four cowpea varieties （Sokoto, Drum, Oloyin and Gwallam） were studied. Data collected included oviposition, progeny emergence, Reproductive Efficiency （RE） and Percentage Seed Damage （PSD）. At first filial generation, numbers of eggs laid on Oloyin variety treated with 25 μL PgEO per 25 g cowpea seeds （2.15） were significantly （p〈0.05） lower than the values obtained in untreated cowpea （3.61） and hexane-treated seeds （3.07）. C. maculatus RE on Oloyin （33.73） was significantly （p〈0.05） lower than values obtained on other varieties （47.34-54.67） for seeds without PgEO; and were significantly greater than 0.00 observed on Oloyin seeds treated with 50 pL PgEO. PSD on Oloyin （6.63%） was significantly （p〈0.05） lower than the values obtained on Sokoto （10.04%） and Drum （9.79%） for seeds without PgEO, while there was no damage in Oloyin treated with 50 pL PgEO. Significantly （p〈0.05） lower F2 progeny emergence occurred on Oloyin （4.02） and Sokoto （4.71） compared with Drum （9.03） and Gwallam （6.07） from the untreated cowpea seeds. The results implied that application of PgEO to Oloyin gave better protection from infestation of C. maculatus than other varieties. Hence, combination of varietal resistance with PgEO for management ofbruchid could be an effective mean of improving cowpea food security.

Suppression Effects on Pineapple Soil-Borne Pathogens by Crotalaria juncea,Dolomitic Lime and Plastic Mulch Cover on MD-2 Hybrid Cultivar

The development and implementation of sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices are indispensable as alternatives to pesticide use and to keep populations of soil-borne plant pathogens at levels that do not affect crop productivity.The present research evaluates the incidence of soil-borne phytopathogens on the pineapple variety MD-2,which was subjected to different treatments:Incorporation of Crotalaria juncea into the soil(organic amendment),application of dolomitic lime to soil(inorganic amendment),and the use of plastic mulch covering the soil.During the crop cycle(15 months),the following variables were evaluated:plant height(cm),fruit weight(kg·plant^(−1)),crop yield(ton·ha^(−1)),the bud root disease incidence caused by Phytophthora nicotianae,number of soil phytoparasitic nematodes and colony-forming-units(CFUs)of soil fungi and oomycetes.The results indicate that Crotalaria juncea treatment reduced the pathogen population(nematode and oomycetes)at levels that did not affect crop development,so that yield increased(18–20%).The incorporation of C.juncea into the soil as an organic amendment favors the populations of fungi disease suppressors(Trichoderma-Aspergillus).The phytoparasitic nematodes(Meloidogyne sp.,Pratylenchus sp.,and Mesocriconema sp.)and oomycetes(Phytophthora spp.,and Pythium spp.)showed a reduction of their population levels by effects of organic amendment(C.juncea).The plastic mulch was also effective,probably due to the maintenance of optimal condition to crop growth and weed control.However,the dolomitic lime application had the poorest effect under the conditions of the study area on the variables analyzed.The described observations are characteristics of a system-based approach for the potential management of soil-borne pathogens of pineapple MD-2 in Veracruz,México.

Adoption Levels of Certain Tomato Cultivation Practices by Farmer Field Schools in Sudan

This study assessed the effect of Integrated Pest Management/Farmer Field Schools(IPM/FFS)extension approach on adoption of some tomato(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)cultivation practices in Gezira Scheme,Sudan.A stratified random sampling technique was used to collect data from 100 tomato growers(50 FFS participants and 50 non-FFS participants),through personal interviews using a structured questionnaire.The data were statistically analyzed and interpreted using frequency distribution,percentage and Chi-square test.The study found that adoption rates for the use of improved tomato seed variety,sowing date and method,urea application,were higher among the FFS participants compared to the non-FFS participants(20%,90%and 50%)compared to 12%,76%and 36%,respectively.The result showed lower adoption rate(50%)in FFS participants for intercropping with companion plant compared to non-FFS participants(64%).Chi-square test showed that there was significant difference between FFS participants and non-FFS participant farmers in adoption of recommended sowing date and method,and intercropping at 95%confidence level,0.05 margin of error.There was no significant difference in adoption of urea application and use of recommended seed variety.This demonstrated that adoption of these two cultivation practices for tomato in the study significantly depended on FFS approach.To improve adoption rates of IPM innovations,the study recommends that FFS in the Gezira Scheme should be revitalized and later introduced in the other states in the country,with extensive and effective system of FFS trainings and follow-up.

The Phenology of Infestations and the Impacts of Different Varieties of Cold Hardy Red Raspberries on Drosophila suzukii

Spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (SWD), is emerging as the most significant pest of berries and stone fruits worldwide. With a broad host range, thin-skinned berries are particularly susceptible to infestation, and fruit producers are desperate for methods to control this pest. One of the keys to developing an integrated management program for SWD is to understand host preference and varietal susceptibility of highly susceptible crop hosts. Working in replicated small plots, experiments were conducted to evaluate differences in varietal susceptibility on cold hardy red primocane fruiting raspberries. Significant differences were observed in both the level of infestation and in the average number of larvae per berry by variety. In addition, it appears that there is a significant negative correlation between the level of infestation and the number of larvae per fruit with the time of sampling, but only an interaction of variety and time for the number of larvae per berry. These data provide a better understanding of the biology and ecology of this pest which is critical in refining current management practices. Knowledge of these interactions can aid in optimizing control strategies such as fine-tuning spatial and temporal control measures, which may be particularly important for early season infestations.

The Phenology of Infestations and the Impacts of Different Varieties of Cold Hardy Red Raspberries on <i>Drosophila suzukii</i>

Spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (SWD), is emerging as the most significant pest of berries and stone fruits worldwide. With a broad host range, thin-skinned berries are particularly susceptible to infestation, and fruit producers are desperate for methods to control this pest. One of the keys to developing an integrated management program for SWD is to understand host preference and varietal susceptibility of highly susceptible crop hosts. Working in replicated small plots, experiments were conducted to evaluate differences in varietal susceptibility on cold hardy red primocane fruiting raspberries. Significant differences were observed in both the level of infestation and in the average number of larvae per berry by variety. In addition, it appears that there is a significant negative correlation between the level of infestation and the number of larvae per fruit with the time of sampling, but only an interaction of variety and time for the number of larvae per berry. These data provide a better understanding of the biology and ecology of this pest which is critical in refining current management practices. Knowledge of these interactions can aid in optimizing control strategies such as fine-tuning spatial and temporal control measures, which may be particularly important for early season infestations.

Rearing the Predator Brontocoris tabidus(Heteroptera:Pentatomidae)with Tenebrio molitor(Coleoptera:Tenebrionidae)Pupa on Eucalyptus grandis in the Field

The use of natural enemies represents an important strategy in programs of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Asopinae predators are reared with alternative prey, but supplementary plant may enhance the fecundity and longevity of their females. The objective of this research was to evaluate the development and reproduction of the predator Brontocoris tabidus Signoret, 1852 (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) fed with Tenebrio molitor L., 1785 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) pupae in a Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden (Myrtaceae) plant in the field. The duration and survival of the nymphal stage of B. tabidus were 32.07 ± 8.95 days and 77.00 ± 0.42%, respectively with 15.55 ± 8.19 egg masses, 603.00 ± 379.20 eggs and 387.45 ± 291.40 nymphs per female of this predator while longevity of its males and females was 119.80 ± 32.80 and 160.20 ± 42.13 days, respectively. Better results with E. grandis plant in the field and the fact that B. tabidus will be adapted at release time show that this predator should be reared in these conditions.