Do pesticides promote or hinder sustainability in agriculture? The challenge of sustainable use of pesticides in modern agriculture

Importance of pesticide and additional food in pest-predator system: a theoretical study

Integrated pest management (IPM) combines chemical and biological control to maintain pest populations below economic thresholds. The impact of providing additional food for predators on pest-predator dynamics, along- side pesticide use, in the IPM context remains unstudied. To address this issue, in this work a theoretical model was developed using differential equations, assuming Holling type II functional response for the predator, with additional food sources included. Strategies for controlling pest populations were derived by analyzing Hopf bifurcation occurring in the system using dynamical system theory. The study revealed that the quality and quantity of additional food supplied to predators play a crucial role in the system's dynamics. Pesticides, combined with the introduction of predators supported by high-quality supplementary food, enable a quick elimination of pests from the system more effectively. This observation highlights the role of IPM in optimizing pest management strategies with minimal pesticide application and supporting the environment.

Ecological impacts of agrochemical and pharmaceutical antifungals on a non-target aquatic host-parasite model

Agrochemical fungicides and their pharmaceutical counterparts are a major anthropogenic threat to the biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems as they affect non-target organisms (including aquatic fungi) and disrupt the processes in which they intervene. The goal of this work was to assess the effects of four common agricultural fungicides differing in their modes of action (azoxystrobin, carbendazim, folpet, and mancozeb) and an antifungal pharmaceutical (clotrimazole) on a host × parasite experimental model. We conducted 21-day life history experiments with Daphnia magna (the host) in the absence or presence of Metschnikowia bicuspidata (a microparasitic yeast) to evaluate the effect of each fungicide on the outcome of this relationship (disease) and the fitness of both host and parasite. Interactive but context-dependent effects were observed in D. magna life history responses upon concomitant exposure to parasite and toxicant. The parasite had a drastic negative effect on host survival and reproduction. Carbendazim, clotrimazole and folpet significantly decreased host fitness. In some cases (depending on the combination of toxicant and measured endpoint), simultaneous exposure of the host to the parasite and fungicides led to a slight decrease in host reproduction, which was absent when only the fungicide was present. In two other cases, the fungicide interfered with the host-parasite relationship: azoxystrobin had an impact on infection intensity (decreasing spore load per host), whereas clotrimazole demonstrated a strong antiparasitic effect, clearing all signs of infection (0 % prevalence). These findings emphasize the context-dependent nature of the interaction between pollution and disease.

Toxic effects of polystyrene microplastics on atrazine in zebrafish: Exogenous toxicity and endogenous mechanism

The ubiquitous presence of microplastics and other contaminants in the environment poses a potential threat to organisms, yet the mode of action and mechanisms of toxicity when they are co-exposed remain underexplored. In this work, we investigated the combined effects of environmental concentrations of polystyrene (PS) and dry heat-UV-bioaged polystyrene microplastics (CPS) with the triazine herbicide atrazine on zebrafish. Acute toxicity experiments demonstrated that combined exposure of PS/CPS and atrazine enhanced the 96-h LC50 of atrazine. Long-term exposure experiments showed that combined exposures were more likely to result in tissue damage and oxidative stress disorders in the zebrafish gut and liver. Interestingly, our experiments show that co-exposure also affects exogenous water quality by decreasing dissolved oxygen and increasing NH3+-N, NO3- and NO2- in the water column, and that NO2- and NH3+-N can cause damage to zebrafish. Moreover, the combined exposure was more likely to cause changes in gut flora at the level of phylum. In terms of hepatic gene transcription, combined exposure not only led to a significant enrichment of pathways for amino acid metabolism, fat digestion and absorption, and fatty acid degradation, but also affected several disease-associated signaling pathways. These findings provide novel perspectives and evidence on the mechanisms of toxicity induced by combined exposure to new contaminants and provide guidance for ecological risk assessment.

Reaction time oriented a two-step DRST with three heterometallic UOFs: Rapid and selective detection of antibiotics and pesticides in food samples by using a smartphone-integrated fluorescent probe

Three heterometallic uranyl organic frameworks (UOFs): [Zn(5,5'-dmbpy)3]2[(UO2)4O2(npa)4] (1), [Zn(5,5'-dmbpy)2(H2O)2]2[(UO2)2(npa)4]·2H2O (2) and [Zn(UO2)(5,5'-dmbpy)(npa)2(H2O)]·H2O (3) (H2npa = 3-nitrophthalic acid, 5,5'-dmbpy = 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) were synthesized with varying reaction times under solvothermal conditions. It is worthing noting that a two-step dissolution and recrystallization structural transformation (DRST) process was observed. The DRST process was investigated and the transformation pathway was deduced. Notably, compound 3 exhibits a fluorescence quenching with tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) and metronidazole (MMT), and a fluorescence enhancement with the tebuconazole (TEB). The detection mechanisms for different substances were detailed discussion through multiple analyses. Furthermore, a smartphone-assisted detection platform was developed for the visual and quantitative detection TCs, MMT and TEB in selected food samples. On-site detection of these samples achieved high recoveries and low relative standard deviations. This innovative detection platform introduced a rapid, cost-effective, portable and user-friendly method for detecting antibiotics and pesticides in food samples.

Revolutionizing agroindustry: Towards the industrial application of antimicrobial peptides against pathogens and pests

Antibiotics are essential chemicals for medicine and agritech. However, all antibiotics are small molecules that pathogens evolve antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Alternatively, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer potential to overcome or evade AMR. AMPs provide broad-spectrum activity, favourable biosafety profiles, and a rapid and efficient mechanism of action with low resistance incidence. These properties have driven innovative applications, positioning AMPs as promising contributors to advancements in various industrial sectors. This review evaluates the multifaceted nature of AMPs and their biotechnological applications in underexplored sectors. In the food industry, the application of AMPs helps to suppress the growth of microorganisms, thereby decreasing foodborne illnesses, minimizing food waste, and prolonging the shelf life of products. In animal husbandry and aquaculture, incorporating AMPs into the diet reduces the load of pathogenic microorganisms and enhances growth performance and survival rates. In agriculture, AMPs provide an alternative to decrease the use of chemical pesticides and antibiotics. We also review current methods for obtaining AMPs, including chemical synthesis, recombinant DNA technology, cell-free protein synthesis, and molecular farming, are also reviewed. Finally, we look to the peptide market to assess its status, progress, and transition from the discovery stage to benefits for society and high-quality products. Overall, our review exemplifies the other side of the coin of AMPs and how these molecules provide similar benefits to conventional antibiotics and pesticides in the agritech sector.

Interpolyelectrolyte complexes of in vivo produced dsRNA with chitosan and alginate for enhanced plant protection against tobacco mosaic virus

We developed a formulation of long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) using interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs) composed of the biopolymers chitosan and alginate, in order to protect the dsRNA from biotic and abiotic factors. Our primary objectives were to enhance stability of dsRNA against environmental nucleases and, secondarily, to mitigate the negative charge of the dsRNA, which may promote foliar uptake. Our approach relies on submicron particles with adjustable surface charge being either positive or negative. Following this approach, we obtained a high encapsulation efficiency of 94 %. Subsequently, we investigated the influence of the charge ratio and total polymer content on the size, size distribution and ζ-potential of the IPECs. We discovered that formulating at low polymer concentrations ≤0.05 g/L with charge ratios of ≤0.9 (+/-) and ≥ 1.25 (+/-), respectively, produced <100 nm particles. Furthermore, the IPEC formulation protected dsRNA from enzymatic degradation by RNase III and micrococcal nuclease. In addition, we observed outstanding protection of formulated dsRNA from heat degradation. Experiments on Nicotiana benthamiana plants showed that formulated dsRNA offered protection against tobacco mosaic virus. In essence, this formulation demonstrates versatility for the production of IPECs with customizable size, surface charge, and nucleic acid content.

Advancing aquatic ecological risk assessment of imidacloprid in global surface water with mesocosm-based thresholds

Aquatic ecological risk posed by neonicotinoids has become a growing concern due to their widespread use and documented environmental impacts. However, current risk assessments predominantly rely on laboratory-based toxicity data, which often lack ecological relevance and may introduce substantial biases. In this study, we addressed a critical knowledge gap in neonicotinoid risk assessment by establishing the first global-scale comparison between traditional laboratory-based and ecologically realistic mesocosm-derived toxicity thresholds. Analysis of literature-reported concentrations revealed significant regional variations in imidacloprid pollution at a global scale, with the highest median concentrations detected in Oceania, followed by Asia, Africa, America, and Europe, although extreme concentrations were observed in America. The mesocosm-based hazard concentration for 5 % of species (HC5) was determined to be 0.013 μg/L, which was significantly lower than the laboratory-based HC5 of 0.086 μg/L. Risk assessment using the laboratory-based threshold identified 1.2 % of the 1378 freshwater samples as high risk (risk quotient, RQ>10) and 7.1 % as medium risk (1 Collapse

Key Words

• Land use
• Mesocosm
• Neonicotinoids
• Regional distribution
• Regulatory thresholds
• Species sensitivity distribution

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Affiliation(s)

Huizhen Li Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, College of Environment and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
Lingzhi Xie Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, College of Environment and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
Zewei Xu Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, College of Environment and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
Fei Cheng State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
Jing You Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, College of Environment and Climate, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China.

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Aqueous compost extracts with stabilized biofertilizing microbiota promote plant root growth and drought resilience

The excessive use of agrochemicals has caused significant negative environmental impacts, highlighting the growing need for more sustainable alternatives. Among these, aqueous composts extracts enable less harmful intensive agricultural practices. The objective of this study was to explore methods for stabilizing the biofertilizing microbiota of compost extracts and to evaluate their effects on drought and oxidative stress. For this, an aqueous extract was prepared from agri-food waste compost by suspending it in water at a 1:5 ratio and incubating the mixture for 14 days at room temperature. The physicochemical properties of the extract were analyzed. In addition, microorganisms associated with the biofertilizing capacity of the extract, which was formulated with various compounds were monitored over the course of one month storage at different temperatures. The bioformulations showing better biofertilizing potential were selected for testing on cucumber seedlings to evaluate their capability for promoting plant growth and alleviating oxidative stress. Additionally, a drought stress test was conducted on grass to evaluate the effect of applying the extract. The results of the physicochemical characterization and bacterial abundance showed a good nutritional composition and a rich microbiota with biofertilizing activity. In terms of microorganism counts under storage conditions, the most stable formulations were those formed by the extract supplemented with 2 % glycerol, as well as the extract without supplement (as extracted). Cucumber seedlings treated with the more stable extracts exhibited enhanced agronomic traits, particularly improved root development, and reduced oxidative stress. The root-promoting effect was also observed in the drought stress test, where grass seedlings subjected to 30 % soil moisture and treated with a combination of the extract with chemical fertilizer presented greater root development (around 5.50 g cm-3) compared to treatments lacking the extracts (around 2-3.30 g cm-3). These results suggest that aqueous compost extracts provide drought resistance and increased root development, offering a promising alternative to conventional mineral fertilization.

Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of 1,2,4-Oxadiazole Derivatives

1,2,4-Oxadiazole derivatives containing anisic acid or cinnamic acid were designed and synthesized, which were expected to be an effective Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) inhibitor, and their structures were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and ESI-MS. The antifungal activity of the compounds against plant pathogenic fungi was screened by the mycelial growth inhibition test in vitro. Compounds 4f and 4q showed significant antifungal activities against Rhizoctonia solani (R. solani), Fusarium graminearum (F. graminearum), Exserohilum turcicum (E. turcicum), Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea), and Colletotrichum capsica (C. capsica). The EC50 values of 4q were 38.88 μg/mL, 149.26 μg/mL, 228.99 μg/mL, and 41.67 μg/mL against R. solani, F. graminearum, E. turcicum, and C. capsica, respectively, and the EC50 values of 4f were 12.68 μg/mL, 29.97 μg/mL, 29.14 μg/mL, and 8.81 μg/mL, respectively. Compound 4f was better than commercial carbendazim against Exserohilum turcicum. Compounds 4f and 4q showed an antifungal effect on C. capsica of capsicum in vivo. Molecular docking simulation showed that 4f and 4q interacted with the target protein through the hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction, in which 4q can form hydrogen bonds with TRP173 and ILE27 of SDH, and 4f had hydrogen bonds with TYR58, TRP173, and SER39. This also explains the possible mechanism of action between the inhibitor and target protein.

Physiological response of rapeseed (Brassica napus) to the insecticide imidacloprid

The widespread and indiscriminate application of insecticides within agricultural systems results in phytotoxic effects on non-target crops. Furthermore, the processes by which plants adapt and develop resistance to these agricultural chemicals are still not fully understood. This study provided a detailed analysis of the antioxidant enzyme responses, growth, photosynthetic activity, and pigment content under insecticide imidacloprid exposure on rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) plants to shed light on this issue. It has been observed that imidacloprid causes phytotoxicity in rapeseed, especially at high concentrations. The insecticide significantly affected growth parameters, pigment amounts, Fv/Fm ratio, H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) and MDA (malondialdehyde) amount, and some antioxidant (APX-ascorbate peroxidase, CAT-catalase, DHAR-dehydroascorbate reductase, GPOD-guaiacol peroxidase, GR-glutathione reductase, SOD-superoxide dismutase) enzyme activities. These findings indicate that plants can adapt their physiological processes, such as enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, modulating photosynthetic pigment composition, and adjusting osmoprotectant accumulation to withstand and endure insecticides up to a certain level. This research offers insights into how neonicotinoid insecticides affect plant health, linking directly to crop productivity and quality, as improved stress tolerance can lead to better growth performance, better photosynthetic activity, higher yield, lower reactive oxygen species levels, and enhanced nutritional value of the harvested produce.

Discovery of Novel Inhibitors Targeting Fungal Chitin Deacetylase via Virtual Screening for Plant Disease Control

Fungal chitin deacetylase (CDA) plays a crucial role in pathogen-plant interactions, which is regarded as an innovative and promising target for fungicides. In this study, a pharmacophore-based virtual screening strategy was employed to identify compounds VS-24 and VS-25 as potent inhibitors against Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici CDA (PstCDA). Further bioassays demonstrated that VS-24 exhibited a protective effect of 61.2% against rice blast at 100 μg/mL, while VS-25 showed a superior protective effect of 45.5% against corn rust at 5 μg/mL, both superior to the reported CDA inhibitor benzohydroxamic acid (BHA). Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that multiple key interactions involving the Zn2+ ion and residues His207 and Tyr152 of PstCDA are critical for the binding of VS-24 or VS-25, with electrostatic interactions contributing most significantly to the binding free energy. Finally, toxicity predictions confirmed the potential biosafety of VS-24 and VS-25. Overall, this study identified two promising lead compounds targeting fungal CDA to control plant diseases.

Occurrence, persistence and risk assessment of pesticide residues in European wheat fields: A continental scale approach

Pesticide residues in agricultural soils represent an environmental concern that requires special attention due to their potential ecological and public health risks. We analyzed 614 pesticides in 188 wheat fields across Europe subjected to both conventional and organic farming systems. At least one pesticide residue was detected in 141 soils. Seventy-eight pesticides or their metabolites were detected. The presence of pesticides was significantly higher in both number and concentration in conventional fileds (up to 0.98 mg kg-1) compared to organically managed sites (up to 0.40 mg kg-1). A total of 88 % of conventional fields and 63 % of organic fields contained two or more pesticides. Conversion from conventional to organic farming does not guarantee that soils will be pesticide-free in the short term. Fenbutatin oxide was the most frequently detected pesticide in both farming systems, followed by AMPA. Other substances, such as boscalid, epoxiconazole, diflufenican, tebuconazole, dinoterb, bixafen, and DEET, were found in ≥ 10 % of samples. Some Persistent Organic Pollutants, including dieldrin, endosulfan sulphate, and chlorpyrifos, were also detected. Ecological risks were higher in conventionally managed fields, with 46 % exhibiting high-risk levels, compared to just 1 % in organic fields. Epoxiconazole and boscalid were the substances with the highest risk levels.

Advances in using non-thermal plasmas for healthier crop production: toward pesticide and chemical fertilizer-free agriculture

MAIN CONCLUSION

There is an urgent need for sustainable agriculture. Non-thermal plasma seed treatment offers a promising alternative by enhancing germination, nutrient uptake, and disease resistance, and reducing reliance on pesticides and fertilizers. There is an urgent need to transform agricultural practices to meet the challenges of sustainable food production amidst global population growth and environmental degradation. Traditional crop production methods heavily rely on pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, which pose significant risks to human health, disrupt ecosystems, and contribute to environmental pollution. Moreover, these methods are increasingly unsustainable due to rising costs and diminishing effectiveness, evolving pest resistance, and climate change impacts. Recently, non-thermal plasma (NTP) technology has emerged as a promising alternative for seed treatment in agriculture. NTP uses low-temperature plasma to modify seed surfaces, enhancing germination, vigor, and overall plant growth. Studies have demonstrated that NTP treatment improves nutrient uptake, increases disease resistance, and reduces the reliance on chemical inputs (pesticides and fertilizers), thereby promoting pesticide and chemical fertilizer-free agriculture. This paper explores recent research advancements in NTP seed treatment and its potential applications in sustainable agriculture. By exploring the mechanisms underlying the NTP effects on seed physiology, the paper provides a comprehensive understanding of how this technology can contribute to sustainable crop production. Furthermore, the paper discusses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges associated with the potential large-scale use of low-temperature plasmas in agriculture, aiming to accelerate the adoption of NTP and its commercialization in the agro-food industries. Overall, the goal of this paper is to highlight the transformative potential of NTP seed treatment in achieving healthier crop production that is environmentally friendly, economically viable, and capable of meeting the food demands of a growing global population.

Enzymatic activity and gene expression changes in the earthworms induced by co-exposure to beta-cypermethrin and triadimefon

Pesticides often exist as complex mixtures in soil environments, yet the toxicity of these combinations has not been thoroughly investigated. In light of this, the current study aimed to assess the enzymatic activity and gene expression responses in the earthworm Eisenia fetida when exposed to a mixture of beta-cypermethrin (BCY) and triadimefon (TRI). The findings revealed that co-exposure to BCY and TRI triggered acute synergistic toxicity in E. fetida, emphasizing the potential risk they pose to soil health. Significant elevations in MDA, Cu/Zn-SOD, and CAT levels were observed across most individual and combined treatments. Additionally, the expression of crt was notably upregulated under most exposure conditions, while the expression levels of tctp and sod were significantly downregulated. These changes suggested the occurrence of oxidative stress and potential carcinogenic effects upon exposure to BCY, TRI, and their combination. Notably, the activities of CAT, caspase-9, and CarE, along with the transcriptional levels of mt, displayed more pronounced variations in response to the pesticide mixture compared to individual exposures. These results indicated that the combined exposure to BCY and TRI intensified oxidative stress, promoted cellular apoptosis, and disrupted detoxification processes more than exposure to either chemical alone. Molecular docking results showed that these two pesticides could interact with CAT, SOD, and GST. These data provided critical insights into the biochemical and molecular toxicity caused by BCY and TRI on E. fetida, offering a deeper understanding of the ecological risks posed by chemical mixtures to soil organisms. This study shed light on the toxicological implications of BCY and TRI co-occurrence and underscored the importance of evaluating the environmental impact of pesticide mixtures to safeguard soil ecosystems.

In silico engineering of graphitic carbon nitride nanostructures through germanium mono-doping and codoping with transition metals (Ni, Pd, Pt) as sensors for diazinon organophosphorus pesticide pollutants

The extensive use of pesticides has raised concerns about environmental contamination, which poses potential health risks to humans and aquatic life. Hence, the need for a healthy and friendly ecosystem initiated this study, which was modeled through profound density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP-D3(BJ)/def2svp level of theory to gain insights into the electronic characteristics of germanium-doped graphitic carbon nitride (Ge@C3N4) engineered with nickel group transition metals (Ni, Pt, and Pd) as sensors for diazinon (DZN), an organophosphorus pesticide pollutant. To effectively sense diazinon, this research employed a variety of methodologies, beginning with the analysis of electronic properties, intermolecular investigations, adsorption studies, and sensor mechanisms. These detailed assessments revealed insightful results, as clearly indicated by their narrow energy gap and other electronic properties. Noncovalent interactions characterized by van der Waals forces were revealed predominantly by quantum atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and noncovalent interaction (NCI) analyses. Furthermore, the results of the adsorption studies, which measured the strength of the interaction between the pesticide molecules and the nanostructures, revealed favorable results characterized by negative adsorption energies of - 1.613, - 1.613, and - 1.599 eV for DZN_Ge@C3N4, DZN_Ni_Ge@C3N4, and DZN_Pd_Ge@C3N4, respectively. The simulated mechanism through which diazinon is sensed revealed favorable results, as observed by the negative Fermi energy and fraction of electron transfer (∆N), as well as a high dipole moment. This study also revealed that the codoping influenced the behavior of the systems, revealing that DZN_Ni_Ge@C3N4 was the best sensing system because of its strongest adsorption (- 1.613 eV), highest dipole moment (8.348 D), most negative Fermi energy (- 1.300 eV), lowest work function (1.300 eV), and good ∆N (- 1.558) values. This study, therefore, proposes these nanostructures for further in vitro studies seeking to sense diazinon and other pesticides to maintain healthy ecosystems.

Scarcity of pesticide data in New Zealand with a focus on neonicotinoids: A review

Since Europe's 2018 neonicotinoid ban on outdoor use of clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam, there has been growing political, scientific, and public interest in further understanding the impact of neonicotinoids on bees and the environment. Here, we assessed the trends in pesticide use in New Zealand, with a particular focus on neonicotinoids, to aid discussion on their use and associated risks. Obtaining data on annual trends in pesticide quantities is challenging, as there is no central collection of pesticide data across the agrichemical or regulatory sectors in New Zealand. Consequently, the true scale and frequency of pesticide usage, including neonicotinoids, remain largely unknown. The difference in neonicotinoid use patterns between New Zealand, where 45 % of forage brassicas (annual planting) and pastures (infrequent planting) are grown from neonicotinoid-treated seeds, and northern hemisphere countries, where 56 % to over 90 % of annual food crops rely on neonicotinoid-treated seeds, indicates a lower overall neonicotinoid use in New Zealand. This difference underscores the need for region-specific approaches to pesticide management and regulation. Although residues can persist and migrate in the soil, current regulations only consider the risk of foliar spray to protect honey bees, overlooking the potential risks to native bees, which primarily live underground, as well as wider lethal and sublethal impacts of residues on non-target organisms. The lack of publicly accessible pesticide data limits scientific research on non-target and environmental effects, and the absence of readily available substitutes for neonicotinoids is the key challenge to be overcome in order to better manage the impact of these pesticides on New Zealand ecosystems.

Ameliorative potential of Populus alba leaf powder against hexaflumuron exposure in Nile tilapia: immune-antioxidant, biochemical, histological, and transcriptomic analysis

Contamination of the aquatic bodies with pesticides is a serious issue that hinders the aquaculture industry worldwide. Preventing aquatic pollution is a challenge, and finding eco-friendly strategies could help to overcome such a problem. Herein, we studied the antagonistic potential of dietary fortification of white poplar (Populus alba; PA) leaf powder against chronic hexaflumuron (HX) toxicity in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fish (n = 200; 36.20 ± 1.55 g) were eventually grouped into four groups with five replicates and kept for 60 days. The C (control) and PA groups were fed basal diets fortified with 0 and 6 g PA/kg diet, respectively, without toxicant exposure. Additionally, the HX and PA + HX groups were exposed to 1/10 of 96-h lethal concentration 50 (96-h LC50) of HX (0.72 mg/L) and given the same diets as those of the C and PA groups, respectively. The biochemical, immune-antioxidant, survival, splenic gene expression, and tissue microstructure were assessed at the end of the exposure time. The outcomes of this research showed that exposure to HX resulted in biochemical disorders (elevated blood glucose, cortisol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatinine) in Nile tilapia. Immune suppression (lowered complement 3 and immunoglobulin M) and oxidative stress (lowered superoxide dismutase and catalase activity and higher malondialdehyde) were consequences of HX toxicity. The splenic expression of nuclear factor-kappa β65, kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, and heme oxygenase-1 was down-regulated by HX exposure. Various pathological changes were noted as consequences of HX exposure in the liver, kidney, and spleen tissues. By feeding on the PA diet, the fish survivability was increased (90%) compared to the non-fed group (76%). Additionally, the biochemical disorders were modulated, and immune responses were enhanced due to PA feeding. Amelioration of the oxidative stress condition (by improving the antioxidant enzyme activity and lowering malondialdehyde) and the immune gene expression were noticed when the HX-exposed Nile tilapia were fed on the PA diet. A noticeable soothing effect was noticed by feeding on the PA diet against the pathological changes in the Nile tilapia tissues. Overall, feeding on a 6 g PA/kg diet ameliorates the detrimental consequences of HX toxicity in Nile tilapia.

Hyperparameter Optimization for Tomato Leaf Disease Recognition Based on YOLOv11m

The automated recognition of disease in tomato leaves can greatly enhance yield and allow farmers to manage challenges more efficiently. This study investigates the performance of YOLOv11 for tomato leaf disease recognition. All accessible versions of YOLOv11 were first fine-tuned on an improved tomato leaf disease dataset consisting of a healthy class and 10 disease classes. YOLOv11m was selected for further hyperparameter optimization based on its evaluation metrics. It achieved a fitness score of 0.98885, with a precision of 0.99104, a recall of 0.98597, and a mAP@.5 of 0.99197. This model underwent rigorous hyperparameter optimization using the one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) algorithm, with a focus on essential parameters such as batch size, learning rate, optimizer, weight decay, momentum, dropout, and epochs. Subsequently, random search (RS) with 100 configurations was performed based on the results of OFAT. Among them, the C47 model demonstrated a fitness score of 0.99268 (a 0.39% improvement), with a precision of 0.99190 (0.09%), a recall of 0.99348 (0.76%), and a mAP@.5 of 0.99262 (0.07%). The results suggest that the final model works efficiently and is capable of accurately detecting and identifying tomato leaf diseases, making it suitable for practical farming applications.

High-performance delivery capsules co-assembled from lignin and chitosan with avermectin for sustainable pest management

Inexpensive biomass materials hold great potential for the development of green delivery systems aimed at improving the extremely low utilization efficiency of pesticides. However, current systems face challenges in achieving both high encapsulation rates and drug loading capacities. This study introduces a novel method using chitosan (CS) and sodium lignosulfonate (SL) to co-assemble with avermectin (AVM), a widely used hydrophobic pesticide, forming AVM-CS-SL micro-nano capsules. Engineered under optimized conditions of pH 5 and 40 °C, the capsules exhibit an AVM encapsulation efficiency of 84.27 % and a loading capacity of 90 %. The AVM-CS-SL capsules demonstrate multifunctional attributes that enhance pesticide application. The capsules, with an average diameter of 356 nm, facilitate stable embedding in leaf grooves and enable effective adhesion to leaf surfaces, thereby improving their resistance to wash-off by rain compared to conventional formulations. Their core-shell structure protects AVM from photodegradation, ensuring long-term stability and efficacy. The capsules also exhibit enhanced bioactivity, with higher mortality rates in Plutella xylostella larvae and low genotoxicity to Vicia faba plants. These findings highlight the strategy of developing multifunctional delivery systems by the co-assembled carrier materials with active ingredients, offering an effective solution for the sustainable development of society and environment.

Unravelling the secrets of soil microbiome and climate change for sustainable agroecosystems

The soil microbiota exhibits an important function in the ecosystem, and its response to climate change is of paramount importance for sustainable agroecosystems. The macronutrients, micronutrients, and additional constituents vital for the growth of plants are cycled biogeochemically under the regulation of the soil microbiome. Identifying and forecasting the effect of climate change on soil microbiomes and ecosystem services is the need of the hour to address one of the biggest global challenges of the present time. The impact of climate change on the structure and function of the soil microbiota is a major concern, explained by one or more sustainability factors around resilience, reluctance, and rework. However, the past research has revealed that microbial interventions have the potential to regenerate soils and improve crop resilience to climate change factors. The methods used therein include using soil microbes' innate capacity for carbon sequestration, rhizomediation, bio-fertilization, enzyme-mediated breakdown, phyto-stimulation, biocontrol of plant pathogens, antibiosis, inducing the antioxidative defense pathways, induced systemic resistance response (ISR), and releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the host plant. Microbial phytohormones have a major role in altering root shape in response to exposure to drought, salt, severe temperatures, and heavy metal toxicity and also have an impact on the metabolism of endogenous growth regulators in plant tissue. However, shelf life due to the short lifespan and storage time of microbial formulations is still a major challenge, and efforts should be made to evaluate their effectiveness in crop growth based on climate change. This review focuses on the influence of climate change on soil physico-chemical status, climate change adaptation by the soil microbiome, and its future implications.

Insect Resistance to Insecticides: Causes, Mechanisms, and Exploring Potential Solutions

Insecticides play a crucial role as the primary means of controlling agricultural pests, preventing significant damage to crops. However, the misuse of these insecticides has led to the development of resistance in insect pests against major classes of these chemicals. The emergence of resistance poses a serious threat, especially when alternative options for crop protection are limited for farmers. Addressing this challenge and developing new, effective, and sustainable pest management approaches is not merely essential but also critically important. In the absence of alternative solutions, understanding the root causes behind the development of resistance in insects becomes a critical necessity. Without this understanding, the formulation of effective approaches to combat resistance remains elusive. With insecticides playing a vital role in global food security and public health, understanding and mitigating resistance are paramount. Given the growing concern over insect resistance to insecticides, this review addresses a crucial research gap by thoroughly examining the causes, mechanisms, and potential solutions. The review examines factors driving resistance, such as evolutionary pressure and excessive pesticide use, and provides a detailed analysis of mechanisms, including detoxifying enzyme overproduction and target site mutations. Providing an analysis of potential solutions, it discusses integrated pest management, strategic insecticide rotation, and the use of new pest control technologies and biological agents. Emphasizing the urgency of a multifaceted approach, the review provides a concise roadmap for sustainable pest management, guiding future research and applications.

Synthesis of a new camphor-derived carboxylesterase-activated fluorescent probe for sensitive detection of dimethoate residues in agricultural products and its applications in biological systems

In this paper, a camphor-derived enzyme activatable probe CPA was synthesized for detecting dimethoate pesticide. The ester bond of probe CPA could be selectively hydrolyzed and fragmented in the presence of carboxylesterase (CE), which caused a remarkably enhanced green fluorescence signal at 501 nm. Probe CPA could function as an effective fluorescent platform for the sequential detection of dimethoate due to the obvious inhibition effect of dimethoate on the activity of CE. The detection limit of probe CPA to dimethoate was computed to be 0.1104 μg/mL. Even more important, CPA was effectively utilized for quantitative determination of trace dimethoate residues in agricultural products including fresh vegetables and fruits with good accuracy. Furthermore, the probe CPA could realize the detection of dimethoate in living cells and zebrafish. This work is expected to provide a highly sensitive and accurate analytical method for detecting organophosphorus pesticide residues in food samples and biological systems.

Determination of multi-pesticide residues in agricultural products with a modified QuEChERS process based on magnetic biochar from coconut clothing

In this study, the magnetic biochar material derived from coconut clothing was firstly successfully synthesized by in-situ polymerization method and applied as QuEChERS adsorbents for extracting multi-pesticides. The obtained magnetic coconut-clothing biochar (MCCBC) presented alveolate structure with abundant large irregular pores. The Fe3O4 particles was obviously attached on the surface of biochar. Under the optimized conditions, the modified QuEChERS process based on MCCBC coupled with HPLC-MS/MS for simultaneously extracting and determining 12 pesticides (organophosphorus insecticides and strobilurins) from different agricultural products (tomato, cucumber, cabbage, carrot, peach, pear, grape, apple) was established. After pretreated by MCCBC, most of pesticides had weak matrix effect. This proposed method showed good linearity (2-250 ng g-1) with R2 ≥ 0.9915, and the limits of detection and the limits of quantification were in the range of 0.01-2.67 ng g-1 and 0.03-8.91 ng g-1, respectively. The acceptable recovery was between 71.1 % and 114.0 % with relative standard deviations from 0.31 % to 13.94 %. These results fully demonstrated that the developed method was efficient for simultaneously extracting and determining organophosphorus insecticides and strobilurins in complex agricultural matrix, possessing obvious advantages of higher sensitivity, easier operation and good feasibility. More importantly, this study provided a useful strategy for magnetizing biochar, and the novel biochar from coconut clothing was also introduced as potential adsorbent for other trace organic pollutants.

Inhibition of transcriptional regulation of detoxification genes contributes to insecticide resistance management in Spodoptera exigua

Synthetic insecticides have been widely used for the prevention and control of disease vectors and agricultural pests. However, frequent uses of insecticides have resulted in the development of insecticide resistance in these insect pests. The resistance adversely affects the efficacy of insecticides, and seriously reduces the lifespan of insecticides. Therefore, resistance management requires new strategies to suppress insecticide resistance. Here, we confirm that CncC/Maf are the key regulators of various detoxification genes involved in insecticide resistance in Spodoptera exigua. Then, we develop a cell screening platform to identify the natural compound inhibitors of CncC/Maf and determine that sofalcone can act as a CncC/Maf inhibitor in vitro and in vivo. Bioassay results showed that sofalcone significantly enhanced the toxicity (more than 3-fold) of chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin against S. exigua larvae. Finally, we demonstrate that sofalcone can greatly improve the susceptibility of S. exigua larvae to insecticides by inhibiting the activity of the ROS/CncC-dependent detoxifying enzymes and downregulating the expression levels of detoxification genes. CncC/Maf inhibitors can be used as broad-spectrum synergists to overcome insecticide resistance in pest populations. Altogether, our results demonstrate that reduced expression of detoxification genes resulting from suppression of transcriptional regulation of these genes contributes to controlling insecticide resistance, which provides a very novel and high-efficiency green resistance management strategy.

Utilizing Olive Fly Ecology Towards Sustainable Pest Management

The olive fly (Bactrocera oleae, OLF) is a major pest of global significance that occurs in places where olive cultivation thrives. This paper highlights the economic and environmental damage caused by OLF infestations, including reduced olive oil yield and quality, disrupted supply chains, and ecosystem imbalances due to heavy insecticide use. Understanding olive fly ecology is crucial for developing effective control strategies. The review explores the fly's life cycle, its relationship with olive trees, and how environmental factors like temperature and humidity influence population dynamics. Additionally, studying the role of natural enemies and agricultural practices can pave the way for sustainable control methods that minimize environmental harm. Climate change, intensive cultivation, and the development of resistance to insecticides necessitate a shift towards sustainable practices. This includes exploring alternative control methods like biological control with natural enemies and attract-and-kill strategies. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of OLF ecology, including its response to temperature and its ability to find refuge in diverse landscapes, is critical for predicting outbreaks and implementing effective protection strategies. By employing a holistic approach that integrates ecological knowledge with sustainable control methods, we can ensure the continued viability of olive cultivation, protect the environment, and produce high-quality olive oil.

Self-assembled co-delivery nanoplatform for increasing the broad-spectrum susceptibility of fall armyworm toward insecticides

INTRODUCTION

Unscientific application of insecticides has led to severe resistance of pests to almost all classes of insecticides. Enhanced detoxification is the most common mechanism for this kind of resistance.

OBJECT

Fall armyworm (FAW) has developed insecticide resistance, which is often linked to the overexpression of detoxification genes. Herein, a multicomponent nano-pesticide is designed to increase its broad-spectrum susceptibility toward insecticides.

METHOD

Regulatory function of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in detoxification was confirmed using transcriptome sequencing, quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme activity measurement. A star polycation (SPc) was adopted to construct the pesticide/SPc/complex, whose self-assembly mechanism and characterization were examined using isothermal titration calorimetry, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscope. The delivery efficiency of SPc-loaded dsRNA was examined in vitro and in vivo using fluorescent tracer technique. A multicomponent nano-pesticide was created through the integration of bacterial expression system and nano-delivery system, and its bioactivity was tested in laboratory and field.

RESULTS

We confirmed the crucial role of Nrf2 in regulating the detoxification in FAW, and silencing Nrf2 could decrease detoxification gene expression and increase insecticide susceptibility. We then applied the SPc to self-assemble a nanoplatform for delivering Nrf2 double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and pesticide simultaneously. Nano-sized pesticide/SPc/dsRNA complex exhibited high delivery efficiency in vitro and in vivo. Excitingly, the insecticidal activities of pesticide/SPc/dsNrf2 complexes were remarkably improved with the normalized synergistic ratios of 5.43-6.25 for chlorantraniliprole, 4.45-15.00 for emamectin benzoate, and 6.75-15.00 for spinetoram. Finally, we developed a multicomponent nano-pesticide (pesticide/SPc/dsNrf2 complex) using a bacterial expression system and nano-delivery system. This approach exhibited excellent leaf protection and pest control efficacy.

CONCLUSION

The integration between the pesticide nanometerization and insecticide susceptibility improvement offers a promising strategy to increase insecticidal activity. Our study provides a revolutionary and universal strategy to increase insecticidal activity and decease application doses.

Susceptibility of solitary bees to agrochemicals highlights gaps in bee risk assessment

Ground-nesting solitary bees are the most abundant bee species in the xeric areas of the world, but the effects of agrochemicals on them have been little studied. Herein, we evaluated the topical toxicity of an insecticide, a herbicide, and an essential oil on Mediterranean ground-nesting bees (Andrena impunctata, A. nigroolivacea, A. stabiana, and A. vetula), and on the managed Apis mellifera, Bombus terrestris, and Osmia bicornis. We tested the lethal effects of commercial formulations of acetamiprid, glyphosate and a biopesticide based on sweet orange essential oil, and evaluated the locomotor behaviours of managed bees exposed to the same treatments. Although potential differences in pre-experimental conditions of wild bees may have influenced susceptibility, smaller bees, based on the measurements of weight, body length, and inter-tegular distance, were more susceptible to agrochemicals than the larger ones. For the majority of the tested species, acetamiprid was the most toxic compound. Treated bees also showed neuronal symptoms after acetamiprid exposure and locomotor alterations that varied among species and agrochemicals. Our results show how the susceptibility of bees varies between species in relation to their body size, highlighting the need for additional model species in current bee risk assessments.

Synergistic growth suppression of Fusarium oxysporum MLY127 through Dimethachlon Nanoencapsulation and co-application with Bacillus velezensis MLY71

Fusarium oxysporum is a destructive plant pathogen with robust survival mechanisms, complicating control efforts. This study aimed to develop nanoformulated fungicides, screen antagonistic bacteria, and evaluate their combined efficacy. A novel self-emulsifying nanoemulsion (DZW) was formulated using zein and benzaldehyde-modified wheat gluten (BgWG) as carriers for dimethachlon (DTN). The preparation process optimized material ratios and emulsification techniques. Concurrently, antagonistic bacterial strains against F. oxysporum were screened via the plate standoff method, identifying Bacillus velezensis MLY71 as both antagonistic and compatible with DTN. The DZW nanoemulsion achieved a particle size of 93.22 nm, an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 90.57%, and a DTN loading capacity (LC) of 67.09%, with sustained release over 96 h. The combination of DTN (0.04 mg·mL⁻¹) and B. velezensis MLY71 (1 × 10⁴ CFU·mL⁻¹) achieved a 76.66% inhibition rate against F. oxysporum MLY127, 1.71 times greater than DTN alone, indicating significant synergy. At a DTN concentration of 0.20 mg·mL⁻¹, the combination of DZW and MLY71 showed a synergy coefficient of 1.33. This synergy was also observed in soil environments, indicating its adaptability for controlling soil-borne pathogens. As sustainable management continues to gain attention in agricultural disease control, this study offers a promising strategy for achieving higher efficacy with the same fungicide dose or satisfactory control with reduced fungicide application. The excellent drug-loading performance of BgWG also expanded the applications of the wheat by-product gluten.

Preparation of Multifunctional Nano-Protectants for High-Efficiency Green Control of Anthracnose

Nanomaterials cannot only act as active ingredients (AIs), but also adjuvants to encapsulate or attach AIs to improve their fungicidal activity. Herein, a hydrophilic and lipophilic diblock polymer (HLDP) is designed and synthesized to prepare a series of HLDP nano-protectants to explore the best HLDP nano-protectant for anthracnose management. These results demonstrate that the HLDP-CS nano-protectant displays the best control effects on mango anthracnose via the direct pathogen inhibition and amplified plant immune responses. The HLDP can be spontaneously conjugated with CS into nanoscale spherical particles through hydrophobic interaction. The complexation of CS with HLDP remarkably improves the deposition and adhesion of CS droplets on mango leaves. The HLDP can interact with mycelium via electrostatic interaction to damage the cell wall/membrane, which can act as an AI to directly suppress the spore germination and mycelial growth. Meanwhile, HLDP can be applied as an adjuvant for CS to amplify the plant immune responses via accelerating the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and plant hormones. This work reports the multiple missions for nanomaterials in pathogen control, which proposes a novel strategy for designing nano-protectant with dual-synergistic mechanism.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-based biopesticide: Navigating success, challenges, and future horizons in sustainable pest control

The global demand for food production is escalating, necessitating innovative approaches to mitigate pest-related crop losses. Conventional pest management using synthetic pesticides has several drawbacks, promoting the search for eco-friendly alternatives such as biopesticides. Among these, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-based biopesticides have emerged as a promising option due to their specificity, sustainability, and safety. This article reviews the success and application of Bt as a biopesticide, analysing its environmental impacts, formulation strategies, marketing trends and associated challenges. The environment impact of Bt is multifaceted, influencing soil ecosystems, plant-associated habitats, and non-target organisms. It interacts dynamically with soil invertebrates and affects both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, demonstrating a complex ecological footprint. The market for Bt-based biopesticide is expanding, driven by their proven efficacy and eco-friendliness with projections indicating continued growth. Despite the promising market trends, regulatory hurdles and formulation complexities remain significant obstacles. Addressing these challenges require collaborative efforts to streamline processes and enhance market acceptance. Nonetheless, the future of Bt-based biopesticide appears promising. Ongoing research is focused on advanced formulations, expanding the range of targeted pests and fostering regulatory cooperation, underscoring the pivotal role of Bt-based biopesticide in sustainable agriculture.

Uncovering global risk to human and ecosystem health from pesticides in agricultural surface water using a machine learning approach

Pesticides typically co-occur in agricultural surface waters and pose a potential threat to human and ecosystem health. As pesticide screening in global agricultural surface waters is an immense analytical challenge, a detailed risk picture of pesticides in global agricultural surface waters is largely missing. Here, we create the first global maps of human health and ecological risk from pesticides in agricultural surface waters using random forest models based on 27,411 measurements of 309 pesticides and 30 geospatial parameters. Our global risk maps identify the hotspots, mainly in Southern Asia and Africa, with extensive pesticide use and poor wastewater management infrastructure. We identify 4 and 5 priority pesticides for protecting the human and ecosystem health, respectively. Importantly, we estimate that 305 million people worldwide are at potential health risk associated with the surface-water pesticide mixture exposure, with the vast majority (86%) being in Asia. We further identify the hotspots in the Ganges River basin in India, where more than 170 million people are at potential health risk. As pesticides are increasingly used to ensure the food production due to future population growth and climate change, our findings have implications for raising awareness of pesticide pollution, identifying the hotspots and helping to prioritize testing.

Nanocarrier-Based Eco-Friendly RNA Pesticides for Sustainable Management of Plant Pathogens and Pests

The production of healthy agricultural products has increased the demand for innovative and sustainable plant protection technologies. RNA interference (RNAi), described as post-transcriptional gene silencing, offers great opportunities for developing RNA pesticides for sustainable disease and pest control. Compared with traditional synthesized pesticides, RNA pesticides possess many advantages, such as strong targeting, good environmental compatibility, and an easy development process. In this review, we systematically introduce the development of RNAi technology, highlight the advantages of RNA pesticides, and illustrate the challenges faced in developing high-efficiency RNA pesticides and the benefits of nanocarriers. Furthermore, we introduce the process and mechanism of nanocarrier-mediated RNAi technology, summarize the applications of RNA pesticides in controlling plant pathogens and pests, and finally outline the current challenges and future prospects. The current review provides theoretical guidance for the in-depth research and diversified development of RNA pesticides, which can promote the development and practice of nanocarrier-mediated RNAi.

Enhancing the volatile organic compound and biomass production by three biocontrol potential bacteria in corn steep liquor growth medium and development of cell freeze-drying process

AIMS

This study investigates the traits of three plant growth-promoting (PGP) and antagonistic bacteria, Pseudomonas protegens MP12, Bacillus sp. 3R4, and Bacillus sp. T22, to assess their potential application as biocontrol agents by using the ecofriendly and low-cost substrate Corn Steep Liquor (CSL) medium. Analyses of antagonism through volatile organic compounds (VOCs) production, biofilm formation, and growth performance were carried out.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Dual antagonism assay showed that all strains displayed significant antagonistic activity against Botrytis cinerea through VOCs. Gas chromatography demonstrated that strains in the CSL exhibited higher VOCs production than nutrient medium. Moreover, enhanced biofilm formation analysed by Calgary Biofilm Device, growth, and biomass were noted in CSL cultures. Pseudomonas protegens MP12, which showed higher cell concentration and biomass yield, was selected for freeze-drying treatments. Storage cell viability assays evidenced that it can be effectively preserved for nearly 7 months at 4°C.

CONCLUSION

The results here obtained showed that CLS medium enhanced VOCs production, biofilm formation, growth, and biomass of the antagonistic bacteria of the three strains. Eventually, the more effective strain P. protegens MP12 can be stored for nearly 7 months at 4°C.

Use of dislodgeable foliar residue studies for the evaluation of isomerization potential of active substances for non-dietary risk assessment

When assessing the non-dietary risks for operators, workers, bystanders and residents to active substances in plant protection products (PPPs) that contain stereoisomers, the EFSA guidance on stereoisomers recommends the application of uncertainty factors when the initial ratio of stereoisomers undergoes a significant stereoisomeric excess change of more than 10%. This precautionary approach may be over-conservative in cases where the change in isomers is due to differences in their degradation rates rather than conversion of one isomer to a potentially more toxic isomer. Therefore, the impact of isomeric composition in non-dietary risk assessments of PPPs was evaluated, with particular emphasis on dislodgeable foliar residues (DFR) data and potential enantioselective degradation processes. Hypothetical outcomes are discussed as well as an evaluation of data for 5 compounds from a total of 35 DFR studies conducted under GLP, aimed at deriving DFR values for higher tier assessments. The findings indicate that possible isomerization of the active substance on leaves can be detected in DFR studies, which is essential for assessing risks to workers and residents. The results of this evaluation highlight the potential for over-conservatism of the current EFSA method for calculating uncertainty factors in non-dietary risk assessments. The EFSA method's reliance on worst-case assumptions, coupled with the lack of a formal statistical basis, can lead to overestimation of exposure, as illustrated in our theoretical considerations and supported by empirical data from DFR studies. To address this, we propose an alternative approach to evaluating risk considering both degradation and interconversion rates.

Metal-Organic Frameworks for Sustainable Crop Disease Management: Current Applications, Mechanistic Insights, and Future Challenges

Efficient management of crop diseases and yield enhancement are essential for addressing the increasing food demands due to global population growth. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which have rapidly evolved throughout the 21st century, are notable for their vast surface area, porosity, and adaptability, establishing them as highly effective vehicles for controlled drug delivery. This review methodically categorizes common MOFs employed in crop disease management and details their effectiveness against various pathogens. Additionally, by critically evaluating existing research, it outlines strategic approaches for the design of drug-delivery MOFs and explains the mechanisms through which MOFs enhance disease resistance. Finally, this paper identifies the current challenges in MOF research for crop disease management and suggests directions for future research. Through this in-depth review, the paper seeks to enrich the understanding of MOFs applications in crop disease management and offers valuable insights for researchers and practitioners.

Effects of Microplastics, Fertilization and Pesticides on Alien and Native Plants

Plastic mulches, fertilizers and pesticides have been extensively employed in agriculture to increase crop yields, though it has also led to the inadvertent accumulation of them over time. These accumulations have the potential to disrupt the soil ecological process and subsequently impact the plant community composition. Alien plants always benefit from environmental variability, thus whether the accumulation of fertilizer, plastic, and pesticide in soil promotes the dominance of alien plants in an invaded community. Here, five aliens and co-occurring natives were selected as study materials, and a full factorial experiment was conducted to answer this question. Our study found that microplastics promote the biomass production of native plants at higher nutrient availability while having marginal influence on growth of alien plants. Alien plants exhibited a lower root mass fraction (RMF) with increased nutrient availability and a higher specific leaf area (SLA) in response to the addition of nutrients and microplastics. Pesticide residues in the soil also significantly decreased the root mass fraction of three species, but there was no significant difference between the effects on alien and native species. Overall, our results revealed that alien species adjusted their functional traits more quickly, but native species gained more growth advantages in response to fertilization and microplastics.

Fabrication of ionic liquid self-assemblies based on dicamba with improved herbicidal activity and reduced environmental risks

The off-target loss of pesticide formulations caused by volatilization and leaching has reduced effective utilization and increased risks to the ecological environment and human health. Self-assembly of pesticides has been widely concerned due to the improved bioactivity and environmental compatibility. Herbicidal ionic liquids (HILs) could effectively decrease off-target loss and increase efficacy and environmental safety by improving the physicochemical properties of herbicides. Herein, HILs were prepared by pairing dicamba with quaternary ammonium salts containing different alkyl chain lengths and aromatic groups and subsequently self-assembled into spherical nanoparticles (HIL NPs) via electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic effect. Compared with dicamba, the obtained HIL NPs with an average particle size of 6-55 nm exhibited improved physicochemical properties, including high zeta potential values (+20.3 to +27.8 mV), low volatilization rate (2.4-3.9 %) and surface tension (22.83-33.07 mN m-1), decreased contact angle (32.25-41.55°) and leaching potential (76.2-86.5 %), and high soil adsorption (12.1-23.8 %), suggesting low risks to the environment. The control efficacy against Amaranthus retroflexus of HIL3 NPs pairing dicamba with octadecyl-trimethyl ammonium chloride was better than that of dicamba sodium salt at different concentrations. Therefore, the ionic liquid self-assembly developed by a facile and green preparation approach to reduce the volatility and leaching of pesticides would have enormous potential in sustainable agriculture.

Nanoparticle-mediated calmodulin dsRNA and cyantraniliprole co-delivery system: High-efficient control of two key pear pests while ensuring safety for natural enemy insects

Currently, the predominant method for managing pests in orchards is chemical control. However, prolonged use of chemicals leads to resistance issues and raise ecological safety. A promising approach to tackle these challenges involves nanoparticles-mediated delivery system of dsRNA and pesticides. Despite its potential, this strategy has not been widely applied in controlling pests in pear orchards. In this study, we developed a nanoparticle-mediated ternary biopesticide to tackle resistance and safety concerns associated with calmodulin dsRNA and cyantraniliprole. Initially, we assessed the effectiveness of cyantraniliprole against two key pear pests, Grapholita molesta and Cacopsylla chinensis. Subsequently, we observed an upregualtion of genes CaM and CN following cyantraniliprole treatment. Furthermore, inhibiting or silencing GmCaM and CcGaM enhanced the sensitivity to cyantraniliprole more effectively. By introducing hairpin RNA into the pET30a-BL21 RNaseIII- system to silence GmCaM and CcCaM, we developed a nanoparticle-mediated co-delivery system that exhibited improved control over these two pests. Importantly, our research demonstrated that using reduced cyantraniliprole dosages through ternary biopesticides could help mitigate risks to natural enemies. Overall, our research emphasizes the enhanced effectiveness of ternary biopesticides in boosting the performance of dsRNA and pesticide against pear pests, while fostering environmental sustainability-a novel advancement in this field.

Agricultural Pest Management: The Role of Microorganisms in Biopesticides and Soil Bioremediation

Pesticide use in crops is a severe problem in some countries. Each country has its legislation for use, but they differ in the degree of tolerance for these broadly toxic products. Several synthetic pesticides can cause air, soil, and water pollution, contaminating the human food chain and other living beings. In addition, some of them can accumulate in the environment for an indeterminate amount of time. The agriculture sector must guarantee healthy food with sustainable production using environmentally friendly methods. In this context, biological biopesticides from microbes and plants are a growing green solution for this segment. Several pests attack crops worldwide, including weeds, insects, nematodes, and microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, causing diseases and economic losses. The use of bioproducts from microorganisms, such as microbial biopesticides (MBPs) or microorganisms alone, is a practice and is growing due to the intense research in the world. Mainly, bacteria, fungi, and baculoviruses have been used as sources of biomolecules and secondary metabolites for biopesticide use. Different methods, such as direct soil application, spraying techniques with microorganisms, endotherapy, and seed treatment, are used. Adjuvants like surfactants, protective agents, and carriers improve the system in different formulations. In addition, microorganisms are a tool for the bioremediation of pesticides in the environment. This review summarizes these topics, focusing on the biopesticides of microbial origin.

Adoption status of integrated pest management (IPM) practices among vegetable growers of Lamjung district of Nepal

The widespread use of highly toxic pesticides for agricultural purposes has raised concerns about their hazardous impact on both human health and the environment. Integrated pest management (IPM) is a strategy designed to tackle pest problems and reduce pesticide use, with the aim of protecting both human health and the environment. This study was conducted in Besishahar, Sundarbazar, Rainas, and Madhyenepal municipalities of the Lamjung district of Nepal in the year 2023 with a sample of 100 vegetable-growing farmers to assess the adoption of IPM practices in vegetable cultivation. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data, and the logit model was used to identify the factors affecting the adoption of IPM practices in vegetable cultivation among farmers. Respondents were grouped into two categories, adopter and non-adopter, based on the extent of adoption of IPM practices. The findings revealed that only 37 % of the total respondents adopted IPM practices for vegetable cultivation. The easy availability of chemical pesticides and lack of bio-pesticides were the major constraints for the adoption of IPM practices in the study area. The output of the binary logit model indicated that greater participation in training, higher education levels, and increased contact with extension agents significantly influence the adoption of IPM practices in vegetable cultivation. The findings could be used to formulate better policies towards increasing the adoption of sustainable approaches in agriculture and regulation.

Assessing the impact of imidacloprid, glyphosate, and their mixtures on multiple biomarkers in Corbicula largillierti

Pesticide mixtures are frequently utilized in agriculture, yet their cumulative effects on aquatic organisms remain poorly understood. Aquatic animals can be effective bioindicators and invasive bivalves, owing to their widespread distribution, provide an opportunity to assess these impacts. Glyphosate and imidacloprid, among the most prevalent pesticides globally, are frequently detected in freshwater systems in South America. This study aims to understand the cumulative effects of pesticide mixtures on aquatic organisms, using invasive Corbicula largillierti clams from a natural stream in northwestern Argentina. We conducted 48-hour exposure experiments using two concentrations of imidacloprid (20 and 200 μg L-1 a.i), two concentrations of glyphosate (0.3 and 3 mg L-1 a.i), and two combinations of these pesticides (both at low and high concentrations, respectively), simulating the direct contamination of both pesticides based on their agronomic recipe and observed values in Argentine aquatic environments. Clam metabolism was assessed through the examination of multiple oxidative stress parameters and measuring oxygen consumption rate as a proxy for standard metabolic rate (SMR). Our findings revealed that imidacloprid has a more pronounced effect compared to glyphosate. Imidacloprid significantly decreased clam SMR and cellular levels of reduced glutathione (GSH). However, when both pesticides were present, also cellular glycogen and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were affected. Proteins and glutathione S-Transferase (GST) activity were unaffected by either pesticide or their mixture at the assayed concentrations, highlighting the need to test several stress parameters to detect toxicological impacts. Our results indicated additive effects of imidacloprid and glyphosate across all measured parameters. The combination of multiple physiological and cytological biomarkers in invasive bivalves offers significant potential to enhance biomonitoring sensitivity and obtain insights into the origins and cellular mechanisms of chemical impacts. These studies can improve pollution regulatory policies and pesticide management.

Tetraniliprole risk assessment: Unveiling a hidden threat for managing a generalist herbivore

Insecticide resistance poses a significant challenge in managing generalist herbivores such as the tobacco cutworm (TCW), Spodoptera litura. This study investigates the potential risks associated with using the novel diamide insecticide tetraniliprole to control TCW. A tetraniliprole-resistant strain was developed through twelve generations of laboratory selection, indicating an intermediate risk of resistance development. Field monitoring in China revealed a significant incidence of resistance, particularly in the Nanchang (NC) population (>100-fold). Tetraniliprole showed moderate to high cross-resistance to multiple insecticides and was autosomally inherited with incomplete dominance, controlled by multiple genes, some of which belong to the cytochrome P450 family associated with enhanced detoxification. Life table studies indicated transgenerational hormesis, stimulating TCW female fecundity and increasing population net reproduction rates (R0). These findings suggest a potential for pest resurgence under tetraniliprole use. The integrated risk assessment provides a basis for the sustainable management of TCW using tetraniliprole.

Combined stress of an insecticide and heatwaves or elevated temperature induce community and food web effects in a Mediterranean freshwater ecosystem

Ongoing global climate change will shift nature towards Anthropocene's unprecedented conditions by increasing average temperatures and the frequency and severity of extreme events, such as heatwaves. While such climatic changes pose an increased threat for freshwater ecosystems, other stressors like pesticides may interact with warming and lead to unpredictable effects. Studies that examine the underpinned mechanisms of multiple stressor effects are scarce and often lack environmental realism. Here, we conducted a multiple stressors experiment using outdoor freshwater mesocosms with natural assemblages of macroinvertebrates, zooplankton, phytoplankton, macrophytes, and microbes. The effects of the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid (1 µg/L) were investigated in combination with three temperature scenarios representing ambient, elevated temperatures (+4 °C), and heatwaves (+0 to 8 °C), the latter two having similar energy input. We found similar imidacloprid dissipation patterns for all temperature treatments with lowest average dissipation half-lives under both warming scenarios (DT50: 3 days) and highest under ambient temperatures (DT50: 4 days) throughout the experiment. Amongst all communities, only the zooplankton community was significantly affected by the combined treatments. This community demonstrated low chemical sensitivity with lagged and significant negative imidacloprid effects only for cyclopoids. Heatwaves caused early and long-lasting significant effects on the zooplankton community as compared to elevated temperatures, with Polyarthra, Daphnia longispina, Lecanidae, and cyclopoids being the most negatively affected taxa, whereas Ceriodaphnia and nauplii showed positive responses to temperature. Community recovery from imidacloprid stress was slower under heatwaves, suggesting temperature-enhanced toxicity. Finally, microbial and macrofauna litter degradation were significantly enhanced by temperature, whereas the latter was also negatively affected by imidacloprid. A structural equation model depicted cascading food web effects of both stressors with stronger relationships and significant negative stressor effects at higher than at lower trophic levels. Our study highlights the threat of a series of heatwaves compared to elevated temperatures for imidacloprid-stressed freshwaters.

Postbiotics as Potential Detoxification Tools for Mitigation of Pesticides

Pesticides possess a pivotal role in the realm of agriculture and food manufacturing, as they effectively manage the proliferation of weeds, insects, plant pathogens, and microbial contaminations. They are valuable in some ways, but if misused, they can cause health issues like cancer, reproductive toxicity, neurological illnesses, and endocrine system disturbances. In this regard, practical methods for reducing pesticide residue in food should be used. For reducing pesticide residue in food processing, some strategies have been suggested. Recent research has been done on detoxification processes, including microorganisms like probiotics and their metabolites. The term "postbiotics" describes soluble substances, such as peptides, enzymes, teichoic acids, muropeptides generated from peptidoglycans, polysaccharides, proteins, and organic acids that are secreted by living bacteria or released after bacterial lysis. Due to their distinct chemical makeup, safe dosage guidelines, lengthy shelf lives, and presence of various signaling molecules that may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesogenic, immunomodulatory, anti-hypertensive, and immunomodulatory effects, these postbiotics have attracted interest. They also can detoxify heavy metals, mycotoxins, and pesticides. Hydrolytic enzymes have been proposed as a potential mechanism for pesticide degradation. Postbiotics can also reduce reactive oxygen species production, enhance gastrointestinal barrier function, reduce inflammation, and modulate host xenobiotic metabolism. This review highlights pesticide residues in food products, definitions and safety aspect of postbiotics, as well as their biological role in detoxification of pesticides and the protective role of these compounds against the adverse effects of pesticides.

PGPR-Enabled bioremediation of pesticide and heavy metal-contaminated soil: A review of recent advances and emerging challenges

The excessive usage of agrochemicals, including pesticides, along with various reckless human actions, has ensued discriminating prevalence of pesticides and heavy metals (HMs) in crop plants and the environment. The enhanced exposure to these chemicals is a menace to living organisms. The pesticides may get bioaccumulated in the food chain, thereby leading to several deteriorative changes in the ecosystem health and a rise in the cases of some serious human ailments including cancer. Further, both HMs and pesticides cause some major metabolic disturbances in plants, which include oxidative burst, osmotic alterations and reduced levels of photosynthesis, leading to a decline in plant productivity. Moreover, the synergistic interaction between pesticides and HMs has a more serious impact on human and ecosystem health. Various attempts have been made to explore eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable methods of improving plant health under HMs and/or pesticide stress. Among these methods, the employment of PGPR can be a suitable and effective strategy for managing these contaminants and providing a long-term remedy. Although, the application of PGPR alone can alleviate HM-induced phytotoxicities; however, several recent reports advocate using PGPR with other micro- and macro-organisms, biochar, chelating agents, organic acids, plant growth regulators, etc., to further improve their stress ameliorative potential. Further, some PGPR are also capable of assisting in the degradation of pesticides or their sequestration, reducing their harmful effects on plants and the environment. This present review attempts to present the current status of our understanding of PGPR's potential in the remediation of pesticides and HMs-contaminated soil for the researchers working in the area.

Effect of abamectin on osmoregulation in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)

As a widely used pesticide, abamectin could be a threat to nontarget organisms. In this study, the toxic mechanism of abamectin on osmoregulation in Procambarus clarkii was explored for the first time. The results of this study showed that with increasing abamectin concentration, the membrane structures of gill filaments were damaged, with changes in ATPase activities, transporter contents, biogenic amine contents, and gene expression levels. The results of this study indicated that at 0.2 mg/L abamectin, ion diffusion could maintain osmoregulation. At 0.4 mg/L abamectin, passive transport was inhibited due to damage to the membrane structures of gill filaments, and active transport needed to be enhanced for osmoregulation. At 0.6 mg/L abamectin, the membrane structures of gill filaments were seriously damaged, and the expression level of osmoregulation-related genes decreased, but the organisms were still mobilizing various transporters, ATPases, and biogenic amines to address abamectin stress. This study provided a theoretical basis for further study of the effects of contaminations in aquatic environment on the health of crustaceans.

Acute toxicity effects of pesticides on beneficial organisms - Dispelling myths for a more sustainable use of chemicals in agricultural environments

Agricultural practitioners, researchers and policymakers are increasingly advocating for integrated pest management (IPM) to reduce pesticide use while preserving crop productivity and profitability. Using selective pesticides, putatively designed to act on pests while minimising impacts on off-target organisms, is one such option - yet evidence of whether these chemicals control pests without adversely affecting natural enemies and other beneficial species (henceforth beneficials) remains scarce. At present, the selection of pesticides compatible with IPM often considers a single (or a limited number of) widely distributed beneficial species, without considering undesired effects on co-occurring beneficials. In this study, we conducted standardised laboratory bioassays to assess the acute toxicity effects of 20 chemicals on 15 beneficial species at multiple exposure timepoints, with the specific aims to: (1) identify common and diverging patterns in acute toxicity responses of tested beneficials; (2) determine if the effect of pesticides on beetles, wasps and mites is consistent across species within these groups; and (3) assess the impact of mortality assessment timepoints on International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC) toxicity classifications. Our work demonstrates that in most cases, chemical toxicities cannot be generalised across a range of beneficial insects and mites providing biological control, a finding that was found even when comparing impacts among closely related species of beetles, wasps and mites. Additionally, we show that toxicity impacts increase with exposure length, pointing to limitations of IOBC protocols. This work challenges the notion that chemical toxicities can be adequately tested on a limited number of 'representative' species; instead, it highlights the need for careful consideration and testing on a range of regionally and seasonally relevant beneficial species.

Cytochrome P450 CYP736A12 is crucial for Trichoderma asperellum-induced alleviation of phoxim phytotoxicity and reduction of pesticide residue in tomato roots

Trichoderma can enhance the metabolism of organophosphate pesticides in plants, but the mechanism is unclear. Here, we performed high-throughput transcriptome sequencing of roots upon Trichoderma asperellum (TM) inoculation and phoxim (P) application in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). A total of 4059 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained, including 2110 up-regulated and 1949 down-regulated DEGs in P vs TM+P. COG and KOG analysis indicated that DEGs were mainly enriched in signal transduction mechanisms. We then focused on the pesticide detoxification pathway and screened out cytochrome P450 CYP736A12 as a putative gene for functional analysis. We suppressed the expression of CYP736A12 in tomato plants by virus-induced gene silencing and analyzed tissue-specific phoxim residues, oxidative stress markers, glutathione pool, GST activity and related gene expression. Silencing CYP736A12 significantly increased phoxim residue and induced oxidative stress in tomato plants, by attenuating the TM-induced increased activity of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes, redox homeostasis and transcripts of detoxification genes including CYP724B2, GSH1, GSH2, GR, GPX, GST1, GST2, GST3, and ABC. The study revealed a critical mechanism by which TM promotes the metabolism of phoxim in tomato roots, which can be useful for further understanding the Trichoderma-induced xenobiotic detoxification and improving food safety.

Sensitive fluorescence detection of glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium pesticides by purine-hydrazone-Cu2+ complex

Organophosphorus pesticides play an important role as broad-spectrum inactivating herbicides in agriculture. Developing a method for rapid and efficient organophosphorus pesticides detection is still urgent due to the increasing concern on food safety. An organo-probe (ZDA), synthesized by purine hydrazone derivative and 2,2'-dipyridylamine derivative, was applied in sensitive recognition of Cu2+ with detection limit of 300 nM. Mechanism study via density functional theory (DFT) and job's plot experiment revealed that ZDA and Cu2+ ions form a 1:2 complex quenching the fluorescence emission. Moreover, this fluorescent complex ZDA-Cu2+ was applicable for detecting glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium following fluorescence enhancement mechanism, with detection limits of 11.26 nM and 11.5 nM, respectively. Meanwhile, ZDA-Cu2+ was effective and sensitive when it is used for pesticide detection, reaching the maximum value and stabilizing in 1 min. Finally, the ZDA-Cu2+ probe could also be tolerated in cell assay environment, implying potential bio-application.

Effects of thiamethoxam on physiological and molecular responses to potato plant (Solanum tuberosum), green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), and parasitoid (Aphidius gifuensis)

BACKGROUND

To improve integrated pest management (IPM) performance it is essential to assess pesticide side effects on host plants, insect pests, and natural enemies. The green peach aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) is a major insect pest that attacks various crops. Aphidius gifuensis is an essential natural enemy of M. persicae that has been applied effectively in controlling M. persicae. Thiamethoxam is a neonicotinoid pesticide widely used against insect pests.

RESULTS

The current study showed the effect of thiamethoxam against Solanum tuberosum, M. persicae, and A. gefiuensis and the physiological and molecular response of the plants, aphids, and parasitoids after thiamethoxam application. Thiamethoxam affected the physical parameters of S. tuberosum and generated a variety of sublethal effects on M. persicae and A. gefiuensis, including nymph development time, adult longevity, and fertility. Our results showed that different thiamethoxam concentrations [0.1, 0.5, and 0.9 μm active ingredient (a.i.)/L] on different time durations (2, 6, and 10 days) increased the antioxidant enzyme activities SOD, POD, and CAT of S. tuberosum, M. persicae, and A. gefiuensis significantly compared with the control. Our results also showed that different thiamethoxam concentrations (0.1, 0.5, and 0.9 μm a.i./L) on different time durations (2, 6, and 10 days) increased the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CarE) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genes of S. tuberosum, M. persicae, and A. gefiuensis compared with the control.

CONCLUSION

Our findings reveal that using thiamethoxam at suitable concentrations and time durations for host plants and natural enemies may enhance natural control through the conservation of natural enemies by overcoming any fitness disadvantages. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.