integrated pest management – Page 2

Trichoderma: The Current Status of Its Application in Agriculture for the Biocontrol of Fungal Phytopathogens and Stimulation of Plant Growth

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Trichoderma is a beneficial fungus that grows naturally in soil and can protect crops from harmful fungal diseases while promoting plant growth. It works through multiple mechanisms including directly attacking pathogenic fungi, competing for nutrients, and boosting the plant’s own defense systems. With over 77 commercial products already available, Trichoderma offers a promising sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting major world crops.

Xenorhabdus spp.: An Overview of the Useful Facets of Mutualistic Bacteria of Entomopathogenic Nematodes

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Xenorhabdus bacteria are tiny organisms that naturally live inside microscopic worms used for pest control. These bacteria produce powerful substances that can kill harmful insects, fungi, and plant-damaging worms without using toxic chemical pesticides. Scientists are discovering new types of these bacteria and their compounds, which could help create safer products for farming and disease control. This research shows these beneficial microbes could replace harmful chemicals in agriculture.

Bioprospecting of four Beauveria bassiana strains and their potential as biological control agents for Anastrepha ludens Loew 1873 (Diptera: Tephritidae)

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Researchers tested four strains of a beneficial fungus called Beauveria bassiana from Mexico to see if they could control the Mexican fruit fly, a major pest that damages mango and orange crops. The fungus naturally infects insects and kills them. Tests showed that all four strains were very effective at killing adult fruit flies, with the best performance at higher spore concentrations. These locally adapted fungal strains may work better than imported alternatives for farmers in the Veracruz region.

Effect of Rare, Locally Isolated Entomopathogenic Fungi on the Survival of Bactrocera oleae Pupae in Laboratory Soil Conditions

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Researchers tested seventeen types of fungi that infect insects to see if they could control the olive fruit fly, a major pest in Greece that damages olive crops. Using fungi from local Greek soil samples, they exposed young olive fruit flies to different fungal treatments both in soil and without soil. Some fungi, particularly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus keveii, were highly effective at killing the flies and preventing them from reproducing normally. These results suggest that using these naturally occurring fungi could be a safer alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting olive groves.

Evaluating Beauveria bassiana Strains for Insect Pest Control and Endophytic Colonization in Wheat

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Scientists tested three strains of a beneficial fungus called Beauveria bassiana to control crop-damaging insects and promote wheat growth. The best-performing strain, CBM1, successfully killed multiple types of pest insects and colonized wheat plants when applied to the soil. Wheat plants colonized with this fungus grew taller with longer roots and showed significantly better protection against fall armyworms, suggesting this fungus could be a valuable tool for sustainable, pesticide-free crop protection.

Laboratory and Field Bioassays of Arthropod Pathogenic Fungi Application for the Control of the Hazelnut Big Bud Mite, Phytoptus avellanae s. l.

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Hazelnut farming is threatened by small pests called big bud mites that damage buds and reduce crop production. This study tested two types of beneficial fungi as a natural pest control method, finding that Beauveria bassiana was very effective at killing these mites in both laboratory and field conditions. These fungal treatments could provide farmers with a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting their hazelnut crops.

The Impact of Insecticides on Mycelial Growth of Metarhizium spp. and Their Efficacy in Controlling Larvae and Pupae of the House Fly (Musca domestica L.)

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This study tested fungal organisms called Metarhizium as a natural way to control house flies without relying solely on chemical insecticides. Researchers found that two fungal isolates were very effective at killing house fly larvae and pupae. Importantly, these fungi could still work well even when grown alongside certain pyrethroid insecticides, making them useful for integrated pest management approaches that combine multiple control methods.

Biocontrol efficacy of Pochonia chlamydosporia against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica in eggplant and its impact on plant growth

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This study shows that a beneficial fungus called Pochonia chlamydosporia can effectively control harmful root-knot nematodes that damage eggplant crops. When applied to soil, this fungus directly attacks nematode eggs and parasitizes the parasitic juveniles, while also boosting the plant’s natural defense systems. Not only does the fungus reduce nematode populations by over 55%, but it also helps eggplant plants grow better with increased height, weight, and chlorophyll content, providing a promising eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.

Mycotoxins: An ongoing challenge to food safety and security

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Mycotoxins are poisonous substances produced by fungi that contaminate crops and threaten both human and animal health. Climate change is making the problem worse by creating conditions that favor toxic fungi growth. Scientists are developing better detection methods and recommending integrated farming approaches to reduce contamination and protect food safety globally.

Saponins, the Unexplored Secondary Metabolites in Plant Defense: Opportunities in Integrated Pest Management

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Plants naturally produce compounds called saponins that protect them from insects, fungi, bacteria, parasitic worms, and viruses. This review explains how saponins work as natural pest managers and discusses how plants rich in saponins, such as licorice and soapbark trees, could be used to develop environmentally friendly crop protection products instead of synthetic pesticides.

Research Keyword: integrated pest management