Plant Protection specialist

Abstract The Baluchistan Melon Fly (Myiopardalis pardalina (Bigot, 1891) (Diptera: Tephritidae)) is a highly invasive pest. It poses a serious threat to global cucurbit production, destroying more than 90% of the crop during outbreaks. The Baluchistan Melon Fly has a four-stage life cycle (egg, larva, pupa and adult) and has distinct morphological adaptations. The species’ geographic range continues to expand, driven by global trade networks and its adaptation to changing climatic conditions. Infestations of this pest severely reduce yields, undermine food security and destabilize rural economies dependent on cucurbit cultivation. A variety of control strategies are evaluated, including surveillance and quarantine methods, agronomic practices, physical controls, chemical management, biological agents, and emerging genetic tools. It emphasizes the need to adopt integrated pest management (IPM) to strike a strategic balance between effectiveness, ecological sustainability, and operational scalability. Conventional insecticides are often ineffective against its internal feeding larvae, highlighting the need for innovative and integrated management strategies. Protecting cucurbit crops from the Balochistan melon fly is not only an agricultural priority, but also a critical step in protecting rural economies and global food security.

Abstract Air pollution is one of the major environmental stresses of the modern era whose impacts extend beyond human health and also affect the sustainability of agricultural production and food security. Pollutants such as ozone (O₃), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) can increase plant susceptibility to pests and pathogens by inducing oxidative stress, disrupting photosynthesis, reducing nutrient uptake, and weakening plant defense mechanisms. In addition, air pollution can disrupt the ecological balance of agroecosystems by degrading or altering plant volatile organic compounds, thereby interfering with the activity of pollinators and natural enemies of pests.

Evidence from field studies in different countries indicates that severe air pollution is associated with reduced crop yields, increased pest pressure, and the intensification of certain plant diseases. For example, a field study reported that exposure of plants to pollutants from diesel exhaust and ozone reduced pollinator abundance by about 62–70% and flower visitation by approximately 83–90%, leading to a decline in plant reproductive success. Pollutants may also reduce the capacity of plants to cope with biotic stresses by decreasing soil biological activity and disrupting nutrient cycling.

This article adopts a scientific–extension perspective to examine the direct and indirect pathways through which air pollution affects plants, pests, plant diseases, pollinators, natural enemies, and soil health, and highlights that air quality is an important yet often overlooked component of food security.

Abstract Azole compounds have become one of the most widely used pesticide groups worldwide due to their high efficacy in the management of fungal pests and diseases. The majority of these compounds, especially triazoles, act by targeting the demethylase enzyme and inhibiting the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway in the cell membrane of fungi. The range of applications of these compounds has expanded from the protection of agricultural and horticultural crops to the food industry and the treatment of fungal infections in medicine. Despite the key role of azoles in food security, their concentrated and repeated use has led to serious environmental challenges, including persistence in ecosystems and bioaccumulation in non-target aquatic and terrestrial species. However, due to their favorable efficacy and relatively lower toxicity indices compared to previous generations of pesticides, various derivatives of this family such as triazoles, pyrazoles, imidazoles and oxazoles are still approved and used as the main active ingredients in the formulation of plant protection products. This article, while reviewing the mechanism of action and applications of these compounds, analyzes the balance between agricultural efficiency and their ecological risks.

Abstract Postharvest fungal diseases are one of the fundamental challenges in the supply chain, storage and marketability of peach (Prunus persica) fruit. The presence of effective pathogens such as Monilinia spp., Penicillium expansum, Rhizopus stolonifera and Botrytis cinerea leads to extensive economic losses worldwide. Although the traditional management of these diseases is mainly based on the use of chemical fungicides, the emergence of pathogen resistance, public health concerns and regulatory restrictions have seriously challenged the effectiveness of these methods. The present article reviews and evaluates new control approaches including chemical, physical and biological methods, with a particular focus on the use of plant essential oils, microbial antagonists, induction of systemic resistance and environmentally friendly disinfectants. The findings indicate that integrated management is the most promising path to achieving sustainability. Finally, emphasis on a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of contamination and environmental conditions governing the epidemiology of each pathogen underlies the design of efficient control strategies tailored to the dynamics of the disease.

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 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.

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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 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.

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