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Biological Control as a Crucial Tool to Sustainable Food Production

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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Pest and Disease Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 July 2023) | Viewed by 13447

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Adeney De Freitas Bueno

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Guest Editor

Embrapa Soybean, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Londrina, PR 86001-970, Brazil
Interests: augmentative biological control; egg parasitoids; stink bugs; soybeans; Telenomus; Trichogramma; IPM
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Yelitza Colmenarez

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Guest Editor

UNESP-Fazenda Experimental Lageado, FEPAF (Escritorio da CABI), Botucatu 18610-307, SP, Brazil
Interests: biocontrol; sustainability; integrated pest management; integrated disease management; integrated weed management; food security; food safety; crop protection; eco-friendly pest management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agriculture is the most important human activity to produce food for an increasing global population that is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050. However, those cultivated plants are usually attacked by pests (insects, weeds, and pathogens) that can reduce yield if not well managed. Nevertheless, pest control must be accomplished with environmental preservation. Among the most eco-friendly pest control tool, biological control stands out and is the focus of this Special Issue. Biological control is one of the most used strategies to replace pesticides and fulfill the open demand created by a constantly decreasing number of chemicals available for agricultural use. Biological control can be preserved and even increased in crop systems. However, it is crucial its adoption in association with other considered sustainable pest control strategies, such as transgenic plants, RNAi, botanical insecticides, and selective pesticides among other tools inside Integrated Pest Management. Only this can provide sustainable food production, fostering equitable, secure, sufficient, and stable flows of both food and ecosystem services. Therefore, this Special Issue welcomes articles that address sound tools for sustainable food production, helping to reduce the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and increase both natural and augmentative biological control preservation which increases agroecosystem balance.

Dr. Adeney De Freitas Bueno
Dr. Yelitza Coromoto Colmenarez
Guest Editors

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Keywords

biocontrol
sustainability
integrated pest management
integrated disease management
integrated weed management
food security
food safety
crop protection
eco-friendly pest management

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 5557 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Tulasnella and Ceratobasidium as Biocontrol Agents of Fusarium Wilt on Vanilla planifolia

by Santiago Manrique-Barros, Nicola S. Flanagan, Erika Ramírez-Bejarano and Ana T. Mosquera-Espinosa

Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2425; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092425 - 20 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1175

Abstract

Fusarium wilt, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vanillae (Fov), is a disease that results in significant losses in commercial vanilla production. The genera Ceratobasidium (Ceratobasidiaceae) and Tulasnella (Tulasnellaceae), which are often reported as mutualistic symbionts in orchids, belong to the form genus Rhizoctonia, a paraphyletic group of fungi with potential for pathogen biocontrol. We assayed the antagonistic properties of the form genus Rhizoctonia from the roots of neotropical orchids: two Tulasnella spp. isolates (Bv3 and Er1) and one Ceratobasidium sp. (Er19). In a dual culture, we found that form genus Rhizoctonia isolates can generate a biocontrol effect against Fusarium through the mechanisms of antibiosis and competition for space and nutrients. On histological observations, orchid root endophytes also demonstrated potential for mutualistic symbiosis development by establishing themselves on the surface and within the root tissue of Vanilla planifolia accessions multiplied in vitro (NSF021 and NSF092). However, in plant assays, the form genus Rhizoctonia isolates did not reduce symptom expression or disease development due to infection by Fov in the host. These results contribute to the knowledge of the interactions between tropical orchids and their microbiota and demonstrate the need for multidisciplinary studies for the implementation of integrated management strategies for Fusarium disease in commercial systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control as a Crucial Tool to Sustainable Food Production)

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14 pages, 3043 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pseudomonas fluorescens SP007_S Formulations in Controlling Soft Rot Disease and Promoting Growth in Kale

by Aphisit Nilmat, Wannaporn Thepbandit, Wilawan Chuaboon and Dusit Athinuwat

Agronomy 2023, 13(7), 1856; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13071856 - 13 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1453

Abstract

Kale has gained popularity as a healthy food choice due to its rich nutrient profile. However, kale production systems are also affected by various pests and diseases, especially plant pathogenic bacteria, such as Pectobacterium carotovorum. The purpose of this research was to investigate the biocontrol activity of the Pseudomonas fluorescens strain SP007s and develop a formulation that provides stability, long shelf life, and disease control, as well as promoting growth in kale; we expect this formulation to have further commercial applications in the cultivation of kale. The results indicated that a unique mixture of paper sludge, sugar sludge, and glycerol at 40% relative humidity promoted SP007 survival for 6 months at room temperature (30 °C) with measures of 5.92 × 10⁶ CFU/g. This treatment maintained the control efficacy of P. carotovorum in infected soil within 28 days of soil drenching. We evaluated the SP007s formula for controlling soft rot disease in greenhouse conditions, and our results revealed that it can reduce the disease in kale by 65.2% and promotes growth in terms of canopy width, shoot height, number of leaves per plant, fresh weight, and dry weight, which were superior to the control. In addition, the formula can induce the accumulation of endogenous salicylic acid and phenolic compounds, as well as a systemic acquired resistance pathway in the plant defense system. Therefore, the formula of SP007s can be a promising novel biocontrol formula for use in kale production, as it promotes plant growth and acts against P. carotovorum causal soft rot disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control as a Crucial Tool to Sustainable Food Production)

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17 pages, 2627 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Secondary Metabolites of Pathogenic Fungi in Triticum durum Grain Protected with Debaryomyces hansenii in Two Different Locations in Poland

by Urszula Wachowska, Michael Sulyok, Marian Wiwart, Elżbieta Suchowilska, Weronika Giedrojć, Dariusz Gontarz, Wolfgang Kandler and Rudolf Krska

Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 721; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030721 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1503

Abstract

Durum wheat grain can accumulate mycotoxins because it is highly sensitive to infections caused by pathogens of the genera Fusarium and Alternaria. Reduced fungicide use increases the demand for biological methods of pathogen control. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the efficacy of Debaryomyces hansenii (Dh) yeast in reducing the content of secondary fungal metabolites present in the spikes of five durum wheat cultivars grown in southern and northern Poland. A total of 27 Fusarium metabolites and nine metabolites produced by other fungi were identified in the grain. The application of the Dh yeast strain decreased deoxynivalenol concentration in all samples relative to control treatments (by 14–100%) and treatments inoculated with F. graminearum (by 23–100%). In northern Poland, the biological treatment also led to a considerable reduction in the content of culmorin (by 83.2–100%) and enniatins A1 and B (by 9.5–65.3% and 6.7–70%, respectively) in the grain. An analysis of multiple fungal metabolites is a highly useful tool for determining grain quality and its suitability for consumption. When applied in the flowering stage, yeasts can partly complete fungicides in reducing Fusarium head blight. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control as a Crucial Tool to Sustainable Food Production)

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18 pages, 2676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metschnikowia pulcherrima as a Biocontrol Agent against Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Pathogens

by Aleksandra Steglińska, Artur Kołtuniak, Joanna Berłowska, Agata Czyżowska, Justyna Szulc, Weronika Cieciura-Włoch, Małgorzata Okrasa, Dorota Kręgiel and Beata Gutarowska

Agronomy 2022, 12(10), 2546; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12102546 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1879

Abstract

An increasing trend in protecting plants against phytopathogens is the replacement of chemical pesticides with environmentally acceptable biopreparations. This article focuses on the possible use of yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima as a biocontrol agent against potato pathogens. The scope included an assessment of the antimicrobial activity of 10 M. pulcherrima isolates against 10 phytopathogens: Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium sambucinum, Rhizoctonia solani, Alternaria solani, Alternaria, tenuissima, Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum coccodes, Phoma exigua, Pectobacterium carotovorum, and Streptomyces scabiei, by the agar-well diffusion method. Pulcherrimin formation, enzymatic profiles detected by the API ZYM system, and metabolite formation evaluated by HPLC analysis were conducted for the most active M. pulcherrima isolates. Leucine arylamidase, valine arylamidase, α- and β-glucosidase, and esterases were the most noteworthy in the pattern of activity. In turn, ethanol, glycerol, and organic acids (acetic, succinic, lactic acids) were determined in the largest quantities. The isolate M. pulcherrima TK1 was selected and cultured on supplemented acid whey. An in situ experiment was carried out on the seed potatoes, which showed a 30%–100% reduction in nine phytopathogens; only P. carotovorum was insensitive to yeast treatment. Therefore, M. pulcherrima TK1 was proposed as the potential biological solution for seed potato protection against phytopathogens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control as a Crucial Tool to Sustainable Food Production)

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16 pages, 1132 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environment-Friendly Control Potential of Two Citrus Essential Oils against Aphis punicae and Aphis illinoisensis (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

by Saqer S. Alotaibi, Hadeer Darwish, Ahmed K. Alzahrani, Sarah Alharthi, Akram S. Alghamdi, Amal M. Al-Barty, Mona Helal, Amal Maghrabi, Alaa Baazeem, Hala A. Alamari and Ahmed Noureldeen

Agronomy 2022, 12(9), 2040; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12092040 - 27 Aug 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2339

Abstract

Aphids are serious pests of a wide range of agricultural crops, including pomegranates and grapevines. In addition, due to the negative environmental impacts of chemical insecticides, these pests are developing important resistance against aphicides. Therefore, one alternative method to control aphids is the use of essential oils (EO). The present study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal activity of Citrus aurantium and C. reticulata peel EO at different concentrations and with different exposure periods to pomegranate and grapevine aphids, Aphis punicae and A. illinoisensis via the topical application method under laboratory conditions. The results reveal that C. aurantium L. EO had greater toxicity against pomegranate and grapevine aphids, with LC₅₀ of 0.37 and 0.82 μL/mL, respectively, at 48 h after application. The highest repellence effect was estimated for C. aurantium EO, at 2.5 μL/cm², on A. punicae, with a value of 100% after an exposure time of 3 h, in contrast to the 88% repellence estimated for A. illinoisensis. The GC-MS investigation of both essential oils identified limonene, 3-carene, pinene, and p-cymene as active substances that could be attributed to the effects observed. Overall, our results offer a potential tool to control the two aphid species and could help in the development of integrated insect management in pomegranate and grapevine fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control as a Crucial Tool to Sustainable Food Production)

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Review

Jump to: Research

18 pages, 1153 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biological Control as Part of the Soybean Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Potential and Challenges

by Adeney de F. Bueno, Weidson P. Sutil, Simone M. Jahnke, Geraldo A. Carvalho, Maria Fernanda Cingolani, Yelitza C. Colmenarez and Natália Corniani

Agronomy 2023, 13(10), 2532; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13102532 - 30 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1772

Abstract

Soybean production is usually performed on large scales, requiring simple but efficient pest management to be successful. Soybean fields are inhabited by several species of arthropods, demanding constant development of management practices to prevent pest outbreaks. More recently, stink bugs have become the most important pest group of soybeans in the Neotropics, responsible for up to 60% of the applied insecticides in Brazil. Natural enemies represent an important mortality factor that can keep the damage caused by stink bugs below the economic threshold levels without additional control actions. Thus, Conservation Biological Control (CBC) strategies can be adopted to preserve or even promote the increase in such natural enemies in the fields, or alternatively, massive releases of biocontrol agents in Augmentative Biological Control (ABC) programs could be adopted. Simple practices such as reducing insecticide use (with the adoption of economic thresholds), prioritizing harmless insecticides or biopesticides, and planting resistant soybean cultivars have been adopted in Brazil with positive results. The challenges to increasing the adoption of more complex stink bug management in commodity crops such as soybean may be overcome using the more recent economic incentives in the global agenda of decarbonized agriculture. The potential and challenges of conservation and augmentative biological control are further discussed in this review. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control as a Crucial Tool to Sustainable Food Production)

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11 pages, 1681 KiB

Open AccessReview

Fluopsin C: A Review of the Antimicrobial Activity against Phytopathogens

by Leandro Afonso, Matheus Felipe de Lima Andreata, Andreas Lazaros Chryssafidis, Stefani Fabiola Alarcon, Ana Paula das Neves, João Vittor Frossard Rodrigues da Silva, Gilmar da Silva Gonçalves, Leonardo Dib de Sousa Abussafi, Ane Stefano Simionato, Martha Viviana Torres Cely and Galdino Andrade

Agronomy 2022, 12(12), 2997; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12122997 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1761

Abstract

Fluopsin C (FlpC) is an organocupric secondary metabolite with low-molecular-weight, produced by some Pseudomonas and Streptomyces bacteria. The compound was identified in 1970 as prismatic dark-green crystals, with strong antimicrobial activity against several human and phytopathogens. Due to its high cytotoxicity, research on this compound decreased after the 1970s. During the early 2000s, FlpC gained more attention as a promising compound by which to develop new antimicrobials to control human, animal, and plant pathogens. This study provides an overview of the results pertaining to the in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity of pure FlpC, as well as semi-purified fractions containing FlpC, against phytopathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, the bioprospection history of the extensively researched FlpC-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa LV strain and the related molecular evidence regarding the compound’s biosynthesis are discussed. Overall, FlpC is proposed to be an important alternative to antimicrobial resistance in human and animal health, and in tackling the negative environmental impacts caused by the exacerbated use of pesticides against phytopathogens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control as a Crucial Tool to Sustainable Food Production)

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