Plant Protection specialist

Abstract

Abstract Biological control is a key component of integrated pest management, and greenhouse tomato production holds significant economic importance due to rising market demand. To align with global food safety trends, systematic improvements in cultivation practices and pest management strategies are essential. The application of biological control methods can play an effective role in producing healthy agricultural products while helping to conserve the biodiversity of natural enemies of pests. Predatory insects are particularly prominent in the context of biological pest control. Conventional reliance on chemical pesticides as the primary pest control method has resulted in various undesirable consequences, including reduced effectiveness of pest management and diminished product quality. To address these challenges and mitigate the negative impacts of chemical pesticides, this review explores sustainable and alternative solutions, such as biological control agents, for managing tomato pests. Although biological control is recognized as an effective approach, it remains underutilized; therefore, the widespread adoption of biological control agents could significantly support sustainable agricultural practices.

Abstract Neonicotinoids, as the fastest growing class of insecticides, have revolutionized the protection of agricultural and horticultural crops. The unique properties of these compounds, including high efficacy against a wide range of pests, flexibility in application, and systemic nature leading to uniform distribution in plant tissues, have made them a key tool in modern agriculture. However, these same properties have provided high environmental stability, which is directly linked to ecological risks and potential toxicity to non-target organisms. Acetamiprid, as a new generation insecticide, was initially considered due to its lower toxicity to honeybees (as vital pollinators) and was considered a relatively safer alternative for pest control. Acetamiprid’s mechanism of action is through the specific targeting of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in insects; however, evidence suggests that its widespread and ongoing use has been associated with direct and indirect negative consequences on ecosystems. One of the key challenges addressed in this study is the evidence of the potential toxicity of acetamiprid to mammals, which, contrary to initial assumptions, has raised serious concerns for the health of non-target species. Finally, this article explains the need to review the use protocols of these compounds and the need for integrated pest management (IPM) approaches to reduce the environmental footprint of neonicotinoids.

Abstract Plant viruses cause significant economic losses and pose a serious threat to sustainable agriculture. The frequent emergence of new viral diseases is largely driven by international trade, climate change, and the rapid evolutionary potential of viruses. Among plant viruses, RNA viruses exhibit a particularly high capacity for genetic diversity, rapid evolution, and adaptation due to their high mutation rates and large population sizes. Characterizing the genetic diversity of viral populations provides essential insights into the processes involved in virus evolution and epidemiology, and is crucial for designing reliable diagnostic tools and developing durable disease control strategies. Genetic bottlenecks are stochastic events that limit genetic diversity within populations, potentially leading to genetic drift and reduced adaptive potential. This review examines the genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of viruses belonging to the family Closteroviridae, which includes some of the most economically important plant viruses.

Abstract Trichoderma spp., as one of the most successful biological control agents, are the result of a complex and multidimensional evolutionary process during which a set of genetic, physiological, and ecological characters has developed in a coordinated manner. In this review article, with a focus on an evolutionary perspective, examines the evolutionary trajectory of biological control mechanisms in Trichoderma and demonstrates that the ability of these fungi in competition, mycoparasitism, production of secondary metabolites, and induction of resistance in the host plant is the outcome of natural selection and gradual adaptation to diverse soil and rhizosphere ecosystems. High genetic diversity at both species and strain levels, as one of the key factors underlying the success of Trichoderma, provides functional flexibility and enables effective responses to changing environmental conditions and different pathogens. Within this framework, the complex interactions of Trichoderma with plants and other microorganisms not only increase its efficiency as a biological control agent, but also highlight its role in sustainable agriculture and in reducing dependence on chemical pesticides.  The results of this review indicate that understanding the evolutionary processes governing the formation of biocontrol traits in Trichoderma can provide a scientific basis for the selection of more efficient strains and the optimization of their practical application in agricultural systems.

Abstract