V preglednem članku se osredotočamo na alternativni pristop varstva krompirja (Solanum tuberosum) pred koloradskim hroščem (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), ki pri nas in v svetu velja za najpomembnejšega ...škodljivca te pomembne poljščine. V prispevku predstavljamo uporabo različnih inertnih prahov za zatiranje tega škodljivca. Osredotočili smo se na kategorizacijo prahov, predstavitev posameznih skupin inertnih prahov in opis ene ali več snovi, ki pripadajo specifični skupini. Poleg splošne predstavitve načinov delovanja posameznih prašiv navajamo tudi praktične zglede uporabe prašiv proti koloradskemu hrošču, s čimer želimo predstaviti potencial različnih prašiv za uporabo v praksi. Ugotavljamo, da veljata lesni pepel in diatomejska zemlja za bolj perspektivna inertna prahova pri zatiranju škodljivih žuželk. Lesni pepel učinkovito deluje proti ličinkam ter v manjši meri tudi na odrasle osebke, diatomejska zemlja pa prav tako vpliva na zmanjšanje številčnosti koloradskega hrošča na krompirju. Ostala inertna prašiva so v strokovni literaturi izpostavljena kot manj učinkovita oz. sploh še niso bila preizkušena ali uporabljena proti temu škodljivcu. Za dokončno določitev učinkovitosti prašiv bodo potrebne nadaljnje raziskave, tako v laboratorijskih razmerah kot na prostem.
Scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are a cosmopolitan group of beetles found on all continents except Antarctica. Because of their size, vibrant colors, and above all their role in the ...ecosystem, they are one of the most recognizable and studied taxons of beetles. Most larvae and adult beetles of species belonging to subfamilies Melolonthinae, Rutelinae, Dynastinae and Cetoniinae feed on plant organs such as roots, leaves, flowers and young fruits and are thus considered to be species of economic importance. In this article we describe some of the most economically important species of scarabs, including their most common host plants. Because the use of chemical insecticides to control scarabs is often limited, the implementation of entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents is an appropriate alternative based on the rational use of microorganisms to maintain an environmentally balanced level of the pest population. Representatives of the genera Beauveria and Metarhizium are the most commonly used entomopathogenic fungi to control larvae (white grubs) of scarab beetles. Biological control by entomopathogenic fungi has shown to be effective in some cases, however host range is often species-specific. Therefore, in order to effectively use the entomopathogens against scarab beetles, one needs to identify target species in grub-infested area and consequently select strains that are capable of overcoming the host’s defences.
Svetovna proizvodnja hrane je prisiljena v iskanje novih pristopov za zaščito rastlin pred škodljivimi organizmi in okoljskimi dejavniki. Ena izmed alternativ, bi lahko bila uporaba salicilne kisline ...(SA) in njenih derivatov. Na splošno so učinki SA na primarni ravni ekosistema, vzpodbudni, saj pripomorejo k izboljšani produktivnosti in kakovosti številnih rastlin ter izboljšujejo toleranco na številne stresorje. Sekundarna raven učinkov SA v okolju predstavlja učinke na škodljive organizme zaradi direktnega delovanja in tudi posrednih učinkov SA, ki nastanejo zaradi morfoloških in fizioloških sprememb, ko se rastlina prilagaja stresorjem. SA v veliko primerih vpliva na zmanjšanje okužb, na nekatere škodljivce pa deluje tudi odvračalno. Rastline po napadu škodljivega organizma sproščajo v okolje hlapne spojine, predvsem derivate SA kot je metilirana SA (MeSA). Ta privablja naravne sovražnike škodljivcev, kar bi se lahko uvedlo v varovanje rastlin pred škodljivimi organizmi, saj je bilo ugotovljeno pri številnih vrstah, da MeSA nanje deluje kot atraktant. Salicilati imajo zelo širok spekter delovanja, ki v okolju sprožajo različne vplive, ki se med seboj prepletajo in posledično vplivajo na več ravni v eksosistemu. V tem članku smo učinke salicilatov razdelili glede na različne nivoje v okolju, kar nam je dalo širši vpogled na potencialno uporabo salicilatov v kmetijstvu.
Thrips can cause considerable economic damage. In order to reduce the use of agrochemicals research has also focused on different natural enemies. We used bibliometric mapping and visualization to ...understand the structure of this field. Articles from Web of Science as well as software Vosviewer were used. Analysis of co-occurrence of terms shows the principal research areas: transmission of viruses, chemical or biological control and new species. A third of articles refer to biological control. Visualizations reveal three major groups of beneficials: entomopathogens, parasitoids, and predators. Recently, attention has shifted mainly to predatory mites as biocontrol agents. Our analysis aims to make such information visually more explanatory with better overview of research directions.
Many thrips are pests of commercial crops due to the damage they cause by feeding on developing flowers or vegetables. Thrips may also serve as vectors for plant diseases, such as tospoviruses. Their ...small size and predisposition towards enclosed places makes them difficult to detect by phytosanitary inspection. In this review, several methods available for identifying thrips, including their advantages and disadvantages, are discussed. A combination of different methods gives the most reliable identification. Relatively new morphometric, molecular and biochemical methods for identifying thrips species represent valuable alternatives for situations in which correct identification with classical morphological methods is very difficult, time consuming or virtually impossible. However, traditional morphological methods should not be neglected, especially because adequate identification using morphological keys is usually an indispensable first step in the development and validation of these new modern methods. In addition, modern systems may still require specimen identification to the genus level via morphological keys, or such keys may be recommended to confirm the results of modern identification methods.
In 2017, we conducted a field experiment to test the influence of a mixture of two plant growth-promoting bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens and Azospirillum brasilense) on the yield of three potato ...varieties. In addition, the influence of the mixture on potato susceptibility to infection by the pseudofungus Phytophthora infestans and fungus Alternaria solani and to attacks by the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) was investigated. It was the first experiment of its kind in Europe. In the unusually hot and dry year, a positive influence on the yield (17%-31%) was found in all three varieties when the tubers were soaked in the bacterial mixture prior to sowing. We observed no significant differences in potato resilience/susceptibility to harmful organisms among the different treatments (soaked tubers, sprayed tubers, untreated tubers); however, there were significant differences in the productivity between the tuber varieties. The results of our research indicate the bacterial mixture used in this study has a high potential to support satisfactory potato yields under dry conditions and under low levels of infection by foliar fungal diseases and attacks by foliar insects.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Plants respond to pest attack, among other mechanisms, by producing specific proteins with insecticidal properties. Proteins with toxic effects on insects have also been discovered in many other ...organisms, especially fungi and bacteria. Due to their biological function, insecticidal proteins represent an important potential in the development of more environmentally friendly plant protection methods. Increasing knowledge about the mode of action of insecticidal proteins and the identification of genes encoding their synthesis enable the breeding of transgenic plants resistant to insect pests and the development of new bioinsecticidal agents. The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) is one of the most important pests of potato, so the study of such control methods is crucial for the development of sustainable integrated pest management strategies of potato. This review highlights the properties of some groups of insecticidal proteins and their modes of action, and summarizes examples of studies of their use for the control of Colorado potato beetle.
Weed control by insects is increasingly important, as chemical weed control (the use of herbicides) has an important impact on the environment and, consequently, on all organisms living there. The ...use of insects to control weeds thus represents an alternative to herbicides. The article presents the suppression of some widespread and persistent weeds in Europe with their natural enemies - insects. The following combinations presented below are: broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius L.) – Gastrophysa viridula (De Geer, 1775), curly dock (Rumex crispus L.) – Apion violaceum (Kirby, 1808), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) – Ophraella communa (LeSage, 1986) and Zygogramma suturalis (Fabricius, 1775), creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.) – Cassida rubiginosa (Müller, 1776), cleavers (Galium aparine L.) – Halidamia affinis (Fallen, 1807) and Sermylassa halensis (Linnaeus, 1767), common knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare L.) and black-bindweed (Fallopia convolvulus L.) – Gastrophysa polygoni (Linnaeus, 1758) and as the last one field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) – Galeruca rufa (Germar, 1824) and Tyta luctuosa (Denis in Schiffmuller, 1775).
In 2020, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the suppression of annual bluegrass (
), which is a difficult weed to manage in cool-season in turfgrass mixtures on football pitches. ...The efficacy of prohexadione calcium (Pc), ethephon (Eth) and
against
,
and
was tested, as the latter two most commonly occur in turfgrass mixtures on football pitches. Mesotrione (Mes) was used as a positive control, and nontreated grass was used as a negative control. Only a single grass species was sown in each pot. Treatments were randomly distributed for two experiments conducted separately: first – unmown grass before the beginning of spraying and second – grass mowed before the beginning of spraying. In both experiments, plant height and the number of tillers were measured/counted several times during the growing season. In both experiments, grasses were sprayed six times with Pc, Eth and
, while Mes was applied twice. Based on the performed study, the efficacy of the tested products is connected to grass species and whether the grass was mowed/cut before spraying. It has been detected in the present study that spraying with Pc could reduce the height of annual bluegrass, while spraying with
has reduced the number of tillers. Spraying was more effective on grasses that were mowed/cut before the beginning of spraying. Mes should cause severe damage to annual bluegrass but without confirmation in this study. Results of this study have indicated that the application of Pc and
can inhibit the spread of annual bluegrass in football pitches; however, testing their effectiveness against
under field conditions should be performed as well.
Laboratory tests were carried out to evaluate the insecticidal efficacy of different natural inert dusts (diatomaceous earth, wood ash, quartz sand) and the leaf powder of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. ...against granary weevil (Sitophilus granarius L.) adults. The efficacy of the substances was tested individually and in combination with each other. The substances were applied at different concentrations, and bioassays were carried out at four different temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35°C) and two different relative humidity (RH) levels (55% and 75%). The adult mortality was recorded after the 7th, 14th and 21st days of exposure. The progeny production of individuals exposed to different combinations was also assessed. Wood ash proved to be the most efficient inert dust in our research. We detected 100% mortality in the treatment exposed to a higher concentration (5 w%) of wood ash at 35°C and 55% RH after 7 days of exposure. A lower RH level had also a negative impact on the progeny production. We can conclude that wood ash can be efficient in controlling granary weevil adults as a single substance or in combination with other substances. Further surveys should focus on the impact of the wood ash dose rates. Due to the high percentage of area covered with forest in some European countries, the main ingredient is present locally, but additional surveys are needed to help improve the practical use of wood ash.
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