Secondary Metabolites of Entomopathogenic Fungi, Biological Alternative for the Control of Agricultural Pests and Disease: Present and Perspectives

The use of entomopathogenic fungi (EF) in recent years has been highly effective against the different orders of insects considered pests of agricultural importance and their conidia have been commonly applied, but it has been reported that these are sensitive to the environmental conditions. For this reason, biopesticides products have been formulated based on secondary metabolites, recently. These biomolecules participate as biological control agent, such as: cyclic depsipeptides, amino acids, polyketides, polyphenols and terpenoids, affecting their morphology, life cycle and insect behavior. The use of secondary metabolites of entomopathogenic fungi opens the possibility of application in a more efficient way for the control of agricultural pests in a compatible with the environment and human health;therefore, it is important to know, analyzing the type of molecules, their effects, and their different methods of application.

Social Cost Analysis of Biological Control Technology for Crop Diseases and Insect Pests

With the rapid development of modern agriculture,the prevention and control of crop diseases and insect pests has become an important part to ensure the safety of agricultural production,the quality of agricultural products and the safety of agricultural ecological environment.Although the effect of traditional chemical prevention and control technology is remarkable,the health risks and environmental problems brought by it should not be ignored.As a green and environmentally friendly means of prevention and control,biological prevention and control technology has gradually become a hot research topic and a trend of agricultural production.This paper is intended to comprehensively evaluate the social costs of biological control technologies for crop diseases and pests,including the health risks reduced,environmental improvements,economic benefits,and barriers to promotion,and put forward corresponding policy recommendations.

Study of the Constraints of Millet Production (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) and the Peasant Perception of Biological Control in the Tahoua Region

Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is the Sahelian crop par excellence due to its adaptation to the particular production conditions in this region. Unfortunately, in recent years this crop has been threatened by very strong parasitic pressure and drought during the production period. The objective of this study is to analyze the main constraints of millet production and the solutions known to producers. A survey was carried out in November 2022 with a sample of 298 producers in five municipalities in the Tahoua region. The main constraints are drought and pressure from crop pests (locust, millet ear miner, floricultural insects) according to 57.9% of respondents. The millet ear miner is the most formidable pest according to 55% of respondents. Thus, the average yield obtained in a year of good production without the leafminer is 194 kg/ha and that obtained in a year of millet ear leafminer is around 27 kg to 43 kg/ha depending on the municipality. The yield obtained this last campaign after the attack of this leafminer varies from 64 to 77 kg/ha depending on the municipalities compared to a potential yield of over 1000 kg/ha. More than half of producers (58.1%) are unaware of the existence of biological control compared to only 12.5% who are aware of this alternative method. Work to popularize this technology is necessary in the five municipalities and the entire region in general.

Investigation of Kiwifruit Bacterial Canker Disease(Pseudomonas syringae pv.Actinidiae Takikawa) in Guanzhong Area of Shanxi Province and Its Biological Control

[ Objective ] The paper was to grasp the incidence characteristic of kiwifruit bacterial canker disease （Pseudomonas syrirtgate pv. actinidiae Takikawa） in Guanzhong area of Shanxi province, and to screen the endophytic actinomycetes with control effect against kiwifruit bacterial canker. [ Method] The incidence characteristics of kiwifruit bacterial canker disease in 65 orchards of 13 villages in guanzhong area of Shanxi province （Yangling, Zhouzhi, Meixian） were investiga- ted and analyzed. The antagonistic strains against Pseudomonas syringae were simultaneously screened from 242 endophytic actinomycetes, and carried out field dis- ease control test. [ Result] The average incidence rate of kiwifruit bacterial canker disease in guan^ong area of Shanxi province was 7.95% ; the variety of kiwifruit had dose relationship with incidence rate. 76 strains bad inhibition activity agmnst P. syringae, while the inhibition zone diameters of fermentation broths of 35 strains against P. syr/ngae were greater than 20 nun. TIASA5 strain had inhibition activity against four target bacteria; gCLA4 strain not only had inhibition activity against four target bacteria, but also had strong inhibition activity against 10 species of plant pathogenic fungi. Field test showed that the fermentation broth of gCLA4 strain had obvious control effect against kiwifruit bacterial canker disease, and the relative control effect at 21 d could reach 66.7%. [ Conclusion] The an- tibacterial spectrum of fermentation broth of gCLA4 strain is broad, so gCLA4 strain has the potential to be developed into a broad-spectrum agricultural fungicide. Key words Kiwifruit bacterial canker disease; Endophytic actinomycetes; Biological control; Field test

Study on Biological Habits and Control of Scirothrips dorsalis Hood on Mangoes

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the biological habits of Scirothrips dorsalis Hood and methods for controlling this pest. [Method] From 2009 to 2011, the biological habits of Scirothrips dorsalis Hood and the regularity of its occurrence on mangoes were investigated at the experimental base of the Institute of Tropical and Subtropical Cash Crops, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Shuanghongqiao Mango Orchard in Baoshan, Yunnan Province. In addition, a field trial on the effects of four medicaments on controlling this pest was also conducted. [Result] The result showed that Scirothrips dorsalis Hood completed 10-12 genera- tions per year in Baoshan area, and the peak period of its incidence was from February to April. The results of the pest control testing showed that at 0.05 level, there were significant differences of effect on pest controlling among the treatments I, II and IV, and the treatment III showed significant differences of controlling effect with the treatment IV, while no significant differences with either the treatment I or the treatment II; at 0.01 level, there was no significant difference among the treat- ments I, II and III, while all the three treatments showed significant differences with treatment IV. [Conclusion] This study revealed that the occurrence and the severity of Scirothrips dorsalis Hood on mangoes in Baoshan, Yunnan Province. In addition, pesticides with certain efficacy on controlling Scirothrips dorsalis Hood were screened, which provides more options for fruit growers to control this pest on mangoes.

Biological Characteristics of Sugarcane Rust in Beihai and Its Control Methods

The sugarcane rust was the main disease causing damage on sugarcane leaves. The biological characteristics of the sugarcane rust pathogens found in Beihai were studied. The research results showed that the germination of uredospores would be promoted under the dark condition or with the glucose concentration of 1.5%. The suitable temperature range for the germination of uredospore was 20 -25 ℃, 25 ℃3 was the optimum temperature. The range of relative humidity （RH） for the germination of uredospore was over 80%, the optimum relative humidity for the germination of uredospore was 100% ＋water drops with the germination rate of 28.3%. Urediospore could germinate in the pH value range of 4.1 - 11.1, the most suitable pH value was 7.0. At routine conditions, the longest survival period of uredospore was 120 days. Selection of resistant varieties and cultivation management was the key of control measures.

Identification and Characterization of Lysobacter enzymogenes as a Biological Control Agent Against Some Fungal Pathogens

Strain OH11, a Gram-negative, nonspore forming, rod-shaped bacterium with powerful antagonistic activity, was isolated from rhizosphere of green pepper in Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences of China and characterized to determine its taxonomic position. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain OH11 belongs to the Gammaproteobacteria and had the highest degree of sequence similarity to Lysobacter enzymogenes strain C3 （AY074793） （99%）, Lysobacter enzymogenes strain N4-7 （U89965） （99%）, Lysobacter antibioticus strain （AB019582） （97%）, and Lysobacter gummosus strain （AB16136） （97%）. Chemotaxonomic data revealed that strain OHI 1 possesses a quinine system with Q-8 as the predominant compound and C15：0 iso, C17：1 iso ω9c as the predominant iso-branched fatty acids, all of which corroborated the assignment of strain OH11 to the genus Lysobacter. Results of DNA-DNA hybridization and physiological and biochemical tests clearly showed that strain OH11 was classified as Lysobacter enzymogenes. Strain OH11 could produce protease, chitinase, and β-1,3-glucanase. It showed strong in vitro antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia scletotiorum, and several other phytopathogenic fungi. This is the first report of identification and characterization of Lysobacter enzymogenes as a biological control agent of plant diseases in China.

Parasitoid wasps as effective biological control agents

Biological control(biocontrol) is a safe, sustainable approach that takes advantage of natural enemies such as predators, parasitic insects or pathogens to manage pests in agroecosystems. Parasitoid wasps, a very large evolutionary group of hymenopteran insects, are well-known biological control agents for arthropod pests in agricultural and forest ecosystems. Here, we summarize the recent progress on the application of parasitoid wasps in biocontrol in China for the last five years. These include species diversity of parasitoid wasps, identification of dominant parasitoid wasps associated with insect pests and biocontrol practices(three types of biological control, i.e., classical, augmentative and conservation biological control) in several Chinese agroecosystems. We then treat different mass-rearing and release technologies and the commercialization of several parasitoid wasp species. We also summarize other work that may have a potential use in biocontrol, including the effect of plant volatiles on parasitoids and recent advance in the molecular mechanisms underlying the host regulation by parasitoid wasps. Future research area and applied perspectives are also discussed, noting that advances in biocontrol technologies in Chinese agriculture informs research at the global level.

Control of Lymantria dispar L. by biological agents

The experiment on control of Lymantria dispar L by using different kinds ofbiological measures, including nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) of Lymantria dispar L., BtMP-342,sex-attractant as well as botanical insecticide, was carried out in the forest regions of InnerMongolia in 2003. Two concentrations (2.632x10^6 PIB ? ml^(-1) and 2.632x10^7 PIB ?ml^(-1)) of Lymantria dispar L. NPV were sprayed on the 2rd-instar-larvae of L. dispar and 70% and77.8% control effect were obtained respectively. BtMP0-342 was applied to the 3rd- and 4th-instarlarvae and the control effect was around 80%. The sex-attractant provided by Canada Pacific ForestryResearch Center also showed a good result in trapping L. dispar adults. The self-produced botanicalinsecticide, which was extracted from a kind of poisonous plant distributed in Daxing'an Mountains,China, exhibited a good control result in controlling the larvae of L. dispar, and 82% mortalitywas observed when spraying primary liquid of the botanical insecticide on the 3rd-5th-instar-larvaein lab.

Potential of Steinernema carpocapsae(Weiser) as a biological control agent against potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella(Zeller)(Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The entomopathogenic nematode,Steinernema carpocapsae,was evaluated for control of the potato tuber moth,Phthorimaea operculella,under laboratory conditions.We evaluated different concentrations of S.carpocapsae for control of 2 nd,3 rd,and 4 th instar P.operculella.The median lethal concentration(LC50)of S.carpocapsae infective juveniles(IJs)to 2 nd,3 rd and 4 th instar larvae of P.operculella was 200,363,181 IJs mL–1,respectively.With the extension of treatment time,the cumulative mortality increased for 2 nd,3 rd,and 4 th instar larvae and pupae of P.operculella.Fourth instars were the most susceptible for all observation periods.Therefore,our results suggest that S.carpocapsae could be an effective biological control agent for P.operculella.

Effect of Sludge Retention Time on Nitrite Accumulation in Real-time Control Biological Nitrogen Removal Sequencing Batch Reactor

In this study,four sequencing batch reactors(SBR),with the sludge retention time(SRT)of 5,10,20 and 40 d,were used to treat domestic wastewater,and the effect of SRT on nitrite accumulation in the biological nitrogen removal SBR was investigated.The real-time control strategy based on online parameters,such as pH,dissolved oxygen(DO)and oxidation reduction potential(ORP),was used to regulate the nitrite accumulation in SBR. The model-based simulation and experimental results showed that with the increase of SRT,longer time was needed to achieve high level of nitritation.In addition,the nitrite accumulation rate(NAR)was higher when the SRT was relatively shorter during a 112-day operation.When the SRT was 5 d,the system was unstable with the mixed liquor suspended solids(MLSS)decreased day after day.When the SRT was 40 d,the nitrification process was significantly inhibited.SRT of 10 to 20 d was more suitable in this study.The real-time control strategy combined with SRT control in SBR is an effective method for biological nitrogen removal via nitrite from wastewater.

Biological Control of Tortricidae in Tea Fields in Japan Using Insect Viruses and Parasitoids

Tea is a perennial and evergreen plant. Cultivated tea trees provide a habitat for insect pests and their natural enemies. In Japan, granuloviruses (GVs) have successfully controlled two of the most important pests of tea, Adoxophyes honmai and Homona magnanima (Tortricidae: Lepidoptera). The GVs are produced in vivo and a single application sustains pesticidal efficacy throughout a year, which encompasses 4 to 5 discrete generations of both species. A. honmai and H. magnanima also have various natural enemies, especially hymenopteran parasitoids. Such resident natural enemies also play a role in reducing the pest density in virus-controlled fields, but the effect of virus infection on parasitoids sharing the same host larva has not been well studied. Survival of one of the major parasitoids of A. honmai, Ascogaster reticulata (Braconidae: Hymenoptera), is reduced by virus infection of the host. Viruses, including GV and entomopoxvirus (EPV), and certain koinobiont endoparasitoids, including A. reticulata, are both known to regulate host endocrinology. However, the GV and EPV have distinct host regulation mechanisms, and consequently have different impacts on the survival of A. retuculata, when A. reticulata parasitizes a host that is infected with either GV or EPV. These additional effects on host regulation displayed by both viruses and parasitoids affect the outcome of virus-parasitoid interactions.

Fire Blight Disease Caused by Erwinia amylovora on Rosaceae Plants in Kyrgyzstan and Biological Agents to Control This Disease

Erwinia amylovora species were isolated from the blossoms, exudates, infected fruits, leaves and bent branches of diseased apple, pear and hawthorn trees, selected in the Chy, Osh and Jalal Abad regions. Biochemical and pathogenicity tests, alongside PCR analyses, were conducted to identify the local isolates of Erwinia amylovora. The alternative antagonistic microorganisms which combat bacterium E. amylovora were tested within in vitro and in vivo conditions. The results revealed the ability of Streptomyces antagonistic bacteria to decrease fire blight severity on pear and apple trees during the first stage of the fire blight disease in leaf tissues. Streptomyces strain C1-4 suppressed E. amylovora disease symptoms in the leaf tissues and excised apple and pear shoots. The incidence of fire blight on leaves was reduced by about 70% with two applications of bacterial antagonists. Further studies at different locations in Kyrgyzstan, using large scale application, would allow for stronger recommendations to be made, including studies and recommendations on their ability to prevent disease and to use them as main components in an integrated pest management program.

Control Efficiency of Four Biological Pesticides against Pieris rapae Linne and Their Impacts on Yield and Benefit of Chinese Cabbage

[ Objective] The paper was to screen out ideal biological pesticides, in order to provide guidance for pollution-free control against Pieris rapae Linne. [Method] Taking Chinese cabbage variety Taiyuan Erqing as the test material, the field control efficiencies of four pesticides including PrGV · Bt WP 1 000 times dilution, NPV · Bt SC 750 times dilution, 0.5% azadirachtin EC 750 times dilution, and 0.3% matrine AS 500 times dilution against P. rapae were studied, and their impacts on yield and planting benefits of Chinese cabbage were also determined. Using foliar spray method, the pesticides were sprayed for the first time when the second or third instar larvae of P. rapae first occurred in fields, and sprayed for the second time with the interval of 15 d. The fields sprayed with beta-cypermethrin EC （organic chemical pesticide） and water were set as control. [ Result] NPV · Bt SC 750 times dilution had the best effect after spraying for two times： the control efficiency against P. rapae at 15 d after spraying was 90.11% ; the damage rate of Chinese cabbage was only 0.21%, while the commodity rate reached 100% ; compared with chemical pesticide spraying, the commodity yield （177 262.5 kg/hm2 ） and the income after deducting spraying cost （48 858.5 yuan/hm2 ） were increased by 14.7% and 13.75%, respectively. [ Conclusion] Although biological pesticides are more expensive, they have long persistence and good control effect, resulting in green and safe Chinese cabbage with high commodity rate and yield, and higher eventual economic benefit after deducting spraying cost.

Euborellia annulipes Mortality and Predation on Diatraea saccharalis Eggs after Application of Chemical and Biological Insecticides

Chemical and biological insecticides have been frequently used in sugarcane fields to control insects-pests, including the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis. Among the products used, those based on chlorantraniliprole and Metarhizium anisopliae entomopathogenic fungus, stand out. Euborellia annulipes is an insect of the order Dermaptera considered a potential predator of sugarcane borer eggs. This study aimed to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of the bioinsecticide based on M. anisopliae (Metarril®) and the chemical insecticide chlorantraniliprole (Altacor®) on the mortality of E. annulipes nymphs and adults, the predation and feeding preference of earwigs in eggs treated with the formulated products. Predator mortality was evaluated for seven days after treatment, while the effect on predation was analyzed by preference tests with and without choice, using prey eggs. The products tested were selective to the predator, causing ≤ 2% mortality and not affecting predation. The application of M. anisopliae on sugarcane borer eggs favored the food preference of fourth-instar nymphs, males, and females of the predator. Our results show that Metarril® and Altacor® can be used to control D. saccharalis when associated with the predator E. annulipes.

Integrated Biological Control of Tobacco Bacterial Wilt (<i>Ralstonia solanacearum</i>) and Its Effect on Rhizosphere Microbial Community

Biological control agents and soil amendments have been applied to control tobacco bacterial wilt, but the mechanism is not well-known. In the present study, a field experiment was performed to investigate the soil physicochemical properties, disease index (DI) and disease incidence of tobacco bacterial wilt, and rhizosphere microbial community. The results show that the control efficacy of single application of antagonistic bacteria and calcium cyanamide was 46.43% and 51.92%, respectively. While the combined control efficacy of antagonistic bacteria and calcium cyanamide was 65.79%. Besides, the combined application of antagonistic bacteria and calcium cyanamide could increase soil pH, total N alkaline N, and exchangeable Ca, which were negatively associated with the microbial diversity, soil-borne pathogenic microorganisms, and incidence of tobacco bacterial wilt. Additionally, the combination of antagonistic bacteria and calcium cyanamide can improve the proportion of some antagonistic microbial species, and these antagonistic microbial species were inversely associated with the DI of tobacco bacterial wilt. In conclusion: The integrated measure may influence soil microbial communities through enhancing soil physicochemical properties and rebuild healthy soil microbial community structure to mitigate tobacco bacterial wilt. The current study presented valuable insights into the mechanisms enhancing soil health in the integrated measure.

3D printed nerve guidance channels: computer-aided control of geometry, physical cues, biological supplements and gradients

Nerve guidance channels for peripheral nerve injury： Over the past decade, nerve guidance channels （NGCs） have emerged as a promising technology for regenerating gap injuries in peripheral nerves. Nerve gap injuries resulting from neurodegeneration and trauma, such as car accidents and battlefield wounds, affect hun- dreds of thousands of people annually. Motivated by suboptimal results obtained with the current gold standard of autologous grafting （i.e., autografts）, various commercially available NGCs composed of synthetic and biomaterials are now alternatively available （Jia et al., 2014; Jones et al., 2016）.

Biological Control of Insect Pests of Agricultural Crops through Habitat Management Was Discussed

Biological control through habitat management leads to sustainable insect pest control. Different types of land composition such as multiple landscapes, patchiness of landscapes enhance the natural enemies which ultimately lead to control of insect pest. Plant characteristics such as flower shape, flower color and blooming period ensures excess food for natural enemies like nectar and pollen. Moreover, some agricultural practices such as tillage, crop rotation, and intercropping influence the natural enemies especially parasitoid and preda-tors. Consequently, they increase longevity and fecundity of parasitoid and predator that help to control insect pest. One of the most important recently used methods is push-pull which consists of semiochemicals called Herbi-vore-Induced Plant Volatiles (HIPVs). This compound has been used to pre-vent pest and attract natural enemies.

Ecology and Role of the Rove Beetle, <i>Dalotia coriaria</i>, and Insidious Flower Bug, <i>Orius insidiosus</i>, in Greenhouse Biological Control Programs

Greenhouse production systems typically involve growing multiple crop types simultaneously, including ornamentals and vegetables. Therefore, greenhouse producers commonly deal with multiple pest complexes. Two important insect pests of greenhouse-grown horticultural crops are fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.) and western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis). A plant protection strategy that can be used to manage both pests is biological control. The rove beetle (Dalotia coriaria) and insidious flower bug (Orius insidiosus) are generalist predators commercially available for use in greenhouse production systems targeting fungus gnats and the western flower thrips. This article describes the biology, behavior, ecology, and role of both natural enemies in greenhouse production systems, and discusses the direct and indirect effects of pesticides (insecticides, miticides, and fungicides) on D. coriaria and O. inisidiosus.

The Main Biological Hazards in Animal Biosafety Level 2 Facilities and Strategies for Control

Concern about the biological hazards involved in microbiological research, especially research involving laboratory animals, has increased in recent years. Working in an animal biosafety level 2 facility （ABSL-2）, commonly used for research on infectious diseases, poses various biological hazards. Here, the regulations and standards related to laboratory biosafety in China are introduced, the potential biological hazards present in ABSL-2 facilities are analyzed, and a series of strategies to control the hazards are presented.