Article
Agronomy
Eli Zaady, Shlomo Sarig, Itzhak Katra
Summary: This study investigates the presence and transport of pesticides through dust particles in farmlands and natural areas, showing that seasonal agricultural activities are the main driver of pesticide distribution.
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Roghaiyeh Karimzadeh, Andrea Sciarretta
Summary: Natural enemies can effectively reduce pest populations when they coincide spatially and temporally. Spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE) and geostatistics are statistical tools used to study spatial patchiness and association of pests and natural enemies. There are gaps in research about the spatial association of pests and natural enemies in orchards and stored products, as well as the effects of environmental factors on this association. Mapping the spatial distribution and association of pests and natural enemies can improve precision pest management practices.
PRECISION AGRICULTURE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Haoran Wang, Shufen Chao, Qing Yan, Shu Zhang, Guoqing Chen, Chonghui Mao, Yang Hu, Fengquan Yu, Shuo Wang, Liang Lv, Baojun Yang, Jiachun He, Songbai Zhang, Liangsheng Zhang, Peter Simmonds, Guozhong Feng
Summary: Invertebrate pests in rice fields are a natural reservoir of diverse RNA viruses, and host taxonomy and geographical location play important roles in shaping viral diversity. The discovery of new and known RNA viruses in this study provides valuable information for developing efficient strategies to manage insect pests and virus-mediated crop diseases.
SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ingrid Quintero, Yesica Xiomara Daza-Cruz, Tomas Leon-Sicard
Summary: The article highlights the importance of agro-biodiversity in agro-ecosystems and introduces the Main Agro-ecological Structure index as a tool to describe and evaluate it, with 10 criteria and 29 indicators. It also discusses the methodologies for evaluation and the possibility of adapting certain indicators to different ecological and cultural contexts.
Review
Plant Sciences
Krishan Verma, Xiu-Peng Song, Lin Xu, Hai-Rong Huang, Qiang Liang, Chandra Shekhar Seth, Yang-Rui Li
Summary: The extensive usage of plastics leads to the widespread dispersion of plastic waste in the environment, negatively impacting agro-ecosystems and plant development. Further research on the distribution and impact of microplastics and nanoplastics in farming systems is necessary.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lukasz Mikolajczyk, Ryszard Laskowski, Elzbieta Ziolkowska, Agnieszka J. Bednarska
Summary: The study proposes a methodological approach to describe agricultural landscape properties tailored for specific species, simplifying complex landscape descriptions into a few main shaping factors for further analysis. The results suggest that for pollinators with a home range radius above ca. 100 m, both local habitat counts and large-scale landscape properties are important for biodiversity management.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Grant C. Hose, Anthony A. Chariton, Michiel A. Daam, Tiziana Di Lorenzo, Diana Maria Paola Galassi, Stuart A. Halse, Ana Sofia P. S. Reboleira, Anne L. Robertson, Susanne Schmidt, Kathryn L. Korbel
Summary: Groundwater, as the largest freshwater ecosystem on Earth, offers stable environmental conditions that have shaped similar morphological and functional traits in the resident invertebrate fauna. Although the analysis of community traits has been widely used in assessing biodiversity and monitoring ecosystem status, its application to stygofauna and groundwater ecosystems is limited. This paper reviews the variation in functional traits among invertebrate fauna in groundwater ecosystems, comparing them with surface water communities. The study highlights the importance of functional traits in understanding the vulnerability of groundwater ecosystems to change.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Yu-Yi Zhang, Yicong Chen, Xiaoman Wei, Jie Cui
Summary: This study utilized a meta-transcriptomic approach to characterize the viromes of marine invertebrates, identifying 315 newly discovered RNA viruses in nine viral families or orders. The research revealed a hidden diversity of marine invertebrate RNA viruses, including evidence for possible host sharing and switch events during virus evolution.
SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Madelaine Venzon
Summary: Coffee plants host several herbivorous species, with Brazil being the largest coffee producer in the world. The country faces challenges with key pests such as the coffee leaf miner and coffee berry borer, leading to a search for alternative pest control methods. Agro-ecological strategies, including plant diversification, are being adopted by farmers to promote conservation biological control and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Nickolas G. Kavallieratos, Erifili P. Nika, Anna Skourti, Diego Romano Perinelli, Eleonora Spinozzi, Giulia Bonacucina, Loredana Cappellacci, Mohammad Reza Morshedloo, Angelo Canale, Giovanni Benelli, Filippo Maggi
Summary: The encapsulation of essential oils from Pimpinella anisum and Trachyspermun ammi in nanoemulsions demonstrated effective insecticidal properties against stored product insects, providing a potential sustainable solution for the protection of durable commodities.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Umesh Pravin Dhuldhaj, Rishikesh Singh, Vipin Kumar Singh
Summary: The continuous increase in pesticide use in agro-ecosystems to ensure food supply raises concerns for human health and the environment. The fate and transport of pesticides in the agro-ecosystem are determined by their nature, soil attributes, and soil-inhabiting organisms. Pesticide applications cause changes in soil microbiology, properties, and enzymatic activities, significantly affecting soil productivity. Indiscriminate use of pesticides leads to their accumulation in plant-based foods, feeds, and animal products, as well as contamination of nearby aquatic environments. Different physical, chemical, and biological techniques have been proposed to mitigate these negative consequences. This study reviews important findings on pesticide contamination, toxicity, effects on soil characteristics, and bio-based management approaches in agricultural soils, highlighting research trends in pesticide bioremediation in agro-ecosystems using bibliometric analysis.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kanming Wang, Ji Shu, Virender K. Sharma, Cong Liu, Xiping Xu, Nasri Nesnas, Hongyu Wang
Summary: This study investigated the kinetics of IMI removal by ferrate(VI) under various pH conditions, molar ratios, and the addition of Fe(III) ions. The results showed that the removal efficiency of IMI by ferrate(VI) was influenced by changes in these parameters, with pH having the most significant impact.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Bethan Shaw, Csaba Nagy, Michelle T. Fountain
Summary: Reductions in approved chemical plant protection products and a shift towards organic production have led to changes in fruit production practices in Europe; Organic orchards face challenges in controlling pests more easily suppressed by broad-spectrum insecticides in conventionally managed orchards; Organic practices could be more widely used in conventional and IPM-maintained orchards for more environmentally sustainable practices targeting global pests.
Review
Agronomy
Phillip Chalk, Christopher J. Smith, Deli Chen, Ji-Zheng He
Summary: The development of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in the early 1980s has greatly promoted the study of the role of B in plant nutrition. Boron is taken up by plants as undissociated boric acid and its within-plant mobility and physiological function have been studied post-1985. This article reviews the movement of B in important plant species and the molecular basis of its cellular transport.
ARCHIVES OF AGRONOMY AND SOIL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simon C. Groen, Zoe Joly-Lopez, Adrian E. Platts, Mignon Natividad, Zoe Fresquez, William M. Mauck, Marinell R. Quintana, Carlo Leo U. Cabral, Rolando O. Torres, Rahul Satija, Michael D. Purugganan, Amelia Henry
Summary: This study takes an evolutionary systems biology approach to investigate adaptive drought resistance traits in rice roots and shoots. The study finds that rice exhibits genetic variation in molecular, physiological, and morphological traits related to drought resistance. Co-expressed gene modules are associated with adaptive drought avoidance and tolerance mechanisms, indicating evidence of genetic adaptation in rice subgroups from drought-prone agro-ecosystems.
Article
Agronomy
James L. Maino, Joshua Thia, Ary A. Hoffmann, Paul A. Umina
Summary: Insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides are widely used in agriculture to increase yields but can have unintended consequences. Pesticide registration databases can help infer usage patterns, with increasing registrations associated with increased usage. However, there are still unexplained variations in pesticide usage patterns between different groups of active ingredients.
Article
Ecology
Veronique Paris, Rahul V. Rane, Peter T. Mee, Stacey E. Lynch, Ary A. Hoffmann, Thomas L. Schmidt
Summary: This study investigated the dispersal ecology and population structure of Aedes notoscriptus, an important disease transmitting mosquito, in the Mornington Peninsula, Australia. It found high mobility and low genetic structure of this mosquito species, which presents challenges for localized intervention strategies.
Article
Ecology
Joshua A. Thia, Pasi K. Korhonen, Neil D. Young, Robin B. Gasser, Paul A. Umina, Qiong Yang, Owain Edwards, Tom Walsh, Ary A. Hoffmann
Summary: Genomic data provides insights into pest management, resistance evolution, pest invasions, and population dynamics. The first reference genome for the redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor, was assembled to study pesticide adaptation and population demographics using whole-genome pool-seq data. Genetic mutations have been identified that contribute to organophosphate and pyrethroid resistance. Population genomic analyses reveal regional structuring in H. destructor populations, while demographic analyses indicate reduced genetic diversity and smaller effective population sizes in eastern populations. These findings have important implications for genetic markers, understanding resistance mechanisms, and predictive modeling of resistance evolution and spread.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Xiu-Jing Shen, Yu-Jie Zhang, Shuai-Yu Wang, Jin-Cui Chen, Li-Jun Cao, Ya-Jun Gong, Bin-Shuang Pang, Ary Anthony Hoffmann, Shu-Jun Wei
Summary: This study reveals the high frequency of resistant mutations in two-spotted spider mite populations across China, indicating the urgency of managing multiple acaricide resistance.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Letter
Ecology
Ary A. Hoffmann, Jon Bridle
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Xuefen Xu, Ary A. A. Hoffmann, Paul A. A. Umina, Samantha E. E. Ward, Marianne P. P. Coquilleau, Mallik B. B. Malipatil, Peter M. M. Ridland
Summary: Three polyphagous pest species have invaded Australia, causing damage to horticultural crops. This study identified 14 parasitoid species using molecular and morphological data, including five adventive eulophid wasps and two braconid species. The findings provide valuable information for controlling leafminers.
BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Paul. A. A. Umina, Leo McGrane, Joshua. A. A. Thia, Evatt Chirgwin, Ary. A. A. Hoffmann
Summary: Resistance to pesticides in the agricultural pest mite Halotydeus destructor has been validated through field experiments after being identified in laboratory bioassays. Results showed that resistance to the organophosphate chlorpyrifos was significantly higher than resistance to omethoate. While both chemicals effectively controlled pesticide-susceptible populations of H. destructor in field trials, chlorpyrifos was substantially less effective against a resistant mite population, while omethoate remained effective. Additionally, two non-pesticide treatments were found to be ineffective in controlling H. destructor in field conditions.
EXPERIMENTAL AND APPLIED ACAROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Paul A. Umina, James L. Maino, Owain Edwards, Xuan Cheng, Matthew Binns, Anthony van Rooyen, Sue Vern Song, Andrew Weeks, Aston L. Arthur, Olivia L. Reynolds, Ary A. Hoffmann
Summary: The redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor, has developed resistance to pyrethroid chemicals, making it an economically important pest in Australia. This study investigated the rate of reversion to susceptibility in partially resistant populations of H. destructor in the absence of pesticide exposure. Fitness costs associated with pyrethroid resistance were identified, and it was found that resistance can rapidly increase after a single pyrethroid application. These findings emphasize the importance of preventing the evolution of resistance and understanding the field fitness costs associated with pesticide resistance.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ary A. Hoffmann, Moshe Jasper, Vanessa L. White, Hiromi Yagui, Michael R. Kearney
Summary: Low-vagility species can hold strong genetic signatures and face vulnerability due to habitat loss. The genetic variation of Vandiemenella viatica populations in Tasmania and Victoria was analyzed, revealing low genetic diversity associated with past biogeographical processes. This study highlights the importance of preserving genetic variation.
Article
Agronomy
Yong-Fu Gao, Ya-Jing Ren, Jin-Cui Chen, Li-Jun Cao, Guang-Hang Qiao, Shi-Xiang Zong, Ary A. Hoffmann, Shu-Jun Wei, Qiong Yang
Summary: This study examined the effects of three fungicides on the cotton aphid. The results showed that two of the fungicides significantly reduced the lifespan and fecundity of the aphids, and increased the density of their endosymbiont. The study highlights the potential impact of non-insecticidal components of fungicides on aphids and their endosymbionts.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Joshua A. A. Thia, Paul A. A. Umina, Ary A. A. Hoffmann
Summary: Invasive Australian populations of redlegged earth mite have evolved increasing organophosphate resistance, which is associated with increased copy number and target-site mutations at the canonical ace gene.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kelly Richardson, Perran A. Ross, Brandon Cooper, William Conner, Tom Schmidt, Ary Hoffmann
Summary: MK Wolbachia was identified at a low frequency (around 4%) in natural populations of Drosophila pseudotakahashii. It had a stable density and transmission during laboratory culture, but the MK phenotype was lost rapidly. MK Wolbachia coexisted with another strain expressing a different reproductive manipulation. Genomic analysis revealed diverged Wolbachia regions involving 17 genes, and identification of the wmk and cif genes implicated in MK and CI. A dominant suppressor genetic element affecting MK was identified through backcrossing and genome analysis. These findings highlight the complexity of endosymbiont detection and dynamics, and the challenges of linking them to host phenotypes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
John G. Black, Anthony R. J. van Rooyen, Dean Heinze, Robbie Gaffney, Ary A. Hoffmann, Thomas L. Schmidt, Andrew R. Weeks
Summary: Identifying and analysing isolated populations is crucial for conservation. This study investigates the genetic structure and individual heterozygosity patterns of the eastern barred bandicoot in Tasmania, Australia. The findings reveal isolated populations undergoing significant genetic drift and multiple fine-scale differentiation regions. The study also highlights variations in individual heterozygosity within populations and spatial patterns of heterozygosity.
