Search Results (41)

Sustainable crop and weed management is among the crucial challenges in the era of the EU Green Deal. The main objective of the present study was to apply an innovative approach for the rapid assessment of herbicide efficacy in maize (Zea mays) crop in four different trials during two years. Weed NDVI values were recorded at two weeks after treatment, while weed biomass and crop yield were also measured. The results revealed significant differences between the several treatments. In many cases, significant effects of herbicide application on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values and weed biomass were noticed at two weeks after treatment. Moreover, the mixture nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron + mesotrione resulted in high efficacy on the crop yield of all fields. Consequently, our approach can allow for an early prediction of the real field efficacy of several herbicides and thus act as an alert for the farmers in order to choose the most efficient herbicide, avoid applications of low efficacy and reduce the herbicide inputs. Full article

Plant probiotic bacteria are being increasingly used to maximize both the productivity and quality of field crops. Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6 (PcO6) is a plant root colonizer with probiotic activities. This bacterium produces an array of metabolites, including a group of phenazines that are functional in plant protection. The paper reports responses of PcO6 to a nonionic triblock copolymer surfactant, Pluronic F68. This Pluronic exhibits membrane “healing” activity and improves cryopreservation recovery in eukaryotic cells. The product is FDA-approved and is applied as an adjuvant in formulations used in agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology. Growth of PcO6 on lysogeny broth at 25 °C was unhindered by 0.1 and 1.0 g/L F68, reduced at 10 g/L, and with significant inhibition at 100 g/L F68; micelle formation could account for inhibited growth at higher doses. Phenazine production was not changed by F68, whereas the surfactant activity of F68 induced the spread of bacterial colonization on 0.5% agar. Exposure of cells to fluorescein-labeled F68 resulted in intense fluorescence, stable to washing, showing a direct association of the Pluronic with the bacterium. However, neither protection nor harm was found for PcO6 cells suspended in either 0.1% or 1% F68 after three freeze (−20 °C)/thaw cycles. These findings suggest that F68 could be compatible for use in agricultural formulations with little effect on probiotics such as PcO6. Full article

Trichome is a hair-like structure involved in mechanical and chemical defenses of plants against herbivorous insects. Nicotiana benthamiana, a wild tobacco plant, has well-developed glandular trichomes that secrete sugar esters with potent repellent and insecticidal properties. However, there is a lack of information about the effectiveness of trichome extract in the control of plant-sapping insects. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of N. benthamiana trichome exudates on Bemisia tabaci MED (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), a highly destructive insect pest that poses significant threats to both vegetable and ornamental plants globally. First, we determined the host preference and mortality of B. tabaci adults using the choice test and feeding assay towards tomato and N. benthamiana plants. B. tabaci preferred tomato over N. benthamiana plants. Second, we extracted N. benthamiana trichome exudates by washing the leaves with either water or ethanol and evaluated their oral toxicities against B. tabaci adults using a parafilm feeding chamber containing 20% sucrose solution. Oral ingestion of both extracts significantly increased mortality in a concentration-dependent manner. Oral ingestion of ethanol-washed 10% trichome extract caused >60% mortality in B. tabaci adults after 36 h. Third, trichome exudates were concentrated by drying to obtain a powder form, which was more potent in killing whiteflies than the liquid form. Oral ingestion of 1% trichome powder was completely lethal to B. tabaci within 36 h. N. benthamiana trichome exudates are highly toxic to B. tabaci through oral ingestion, suggesting that N. benthamiana can be used as a potential natural pesticide for whitefly management. Full article

Recently, the search for sustainable and environmentally friendly agrochemicals from natural origin is steadily growing. Propolis, a resinous substance collected by honeybees, well known for its diverse biological activities, has attracted the attention of scientists and farmers with its agrochemical potential in the last years. This review article aims to delve into the fascinating world of propolis and its utilization in agriculture. Here, we provide a brief overview of propolis: its chemical composition and the bioactive substances responsible for its biological properties. The effectiveness of propolis in controlling common pests and diseases that affect crops, suppressing postharvest illnesses of fruits and vegetables, stimulating plant defenses and increasing stress resistance, is reviewed. Discussion of the challenges and future perspectives related to the integration of propolis in agriculture is also one of our objectives, including chemical variability, standardization and regulatory considerations. We also focused on the latest research trends and technological advances that promise to unlock the full potential of propolis as a sustainable agricultural tool. Full article

Membrane fractionation with track-etched membranes was used to size-profile the microelement composition of water-extractable soil colloids (WESCs). The aim of the study is the element composition of narrow WESC fractions of typical chernozems in the range of 0.01–10 µm. Micro-/ultrafiltration through a cascade of track-etched polycarbonate membrane filters with pore sizes of 5, 2, 1, 0.8, 0.4, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05, 0.03, and 0.01 µm at room temperature was used. ICP–AES using direct spraying of obtained fractions without decomposition was used; Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Si, Sr, Ti, Zn, Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, and S were found. Narrow WESC fractions differ significantly. For macro- and microelements, maximum amounts of Si, Al, Fe, and Ti and their maximum percentages are observed in fractions with sizes above 1 µm, while Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, K, and S are accumulated more in fractions with sizes below 1 µm. The developed approach provides preparative isolation of a detailed set of narrow WESC fractions in the micrometer–nanometer range. This provides element soil profiles that reveal distinct differences and the individual character of each fraction as well as trends in changes in the mineral matrix and microelement composition with fraction size. Full article

In Benin, synthetic insecticides are the main pest control option used by farmers to protect and enhance their production. However, failures to control the target pests are often observed after application and may be related to agricultural practices or insecticide quality. The present work was designed to assess a rapid, simple, and reliable analytical method for detecting and quantifying the most commonly used insecticides (λ-cyhalothrin and acetamiprid) in Benin. The analytical standard technical grade separation was performed by gradient reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on a C₁₈ stationary-phase column. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of acetonitrile/water using a gradient flow. The flow rates were 1 and 1.4 mL·min⁻¹ for λ-cyhalothrin and acetamiprid, respectively. The analysis times were 15 and 20 min, with retention times of 2.35 and 7.94 min for λ-cyhalothrin and acetamiprid, respectively. Results reveal that most of the surveyed farmers were not educated (70% < Primary School Certificate) and were men (95%). Of the main insecticides applied by farmers, λ-cyhalothrin and acetamiprid were found to be the most technical-grade ones. Furthermore, the analysis of insecticides showed that the concentrations obtained in our study often differed from the ones mentioned on insecticide labels. The proposed method is useful for quantifying insecticides in various technical and commercial formulations with little interference from additives. Full article

Biocontrol agent (BCA) plant protection active substances composed from microorganisms, semiochemicals and substances from natural origins are increasing in Europe, since their entry into force of Regulation (EC) 1107/2009, in number and as a percentage of total active substances. As they are included in the scope of plant protection products (PPPs), this raises the question as to whether they are only substitute active substances, more socially acceptable, sustainable and environmentally preferable, or really another way of managing bioaggressors, pests and diseases. As we have conducted a survey of all active substances listed in all Parts of Regulation EU 540/2011 and compared chemical to BCA active substances, described their evolution and characteristics since 2011 and predicted the global perspective in the future years for both chemical, which are in decline, and BCA AS separately, these works raised the question of whether these BCA AS are a substitution, as is often the case for users, for the previous chemical AS, or whether they are fundamentally different new substances, which clearly obey a new vision of crop protection. This study therefore encompasses all active substances approved at any time in Europe since 2011 for both categories, whether still approved or not. At the end of this assessment, the following conclusion can be drawn: BCA AS are mainly fundamentally different substances from chemical AS, in all the compartments studied. A comparison between BCAs and chemical active substances allowed under (EC) 1107/2009 PPP Regulation is described together with a characterisation of BCA AS listed in EC 540/2011 PPP Regulation. Finally, the specific distinction of BCA vs. chemical active substance profile is analysed. This work allows us to conclude on the evolution of crop protection and the means that must be implemented to face current and new threats. Full article

The global demand for sustainable agricultural practices is increasing, necessitating the preference for fertilizers and organic stimulants with minimal chemical transformation. This study investigates the potential use of Mucuna (Mucuna pruriens sp.) and avocado (Persea americana Mills) seed residues in the cultivation of cherry-tomato crops (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) var. cerasiforme. After extracting L-dopa, the Mucuna ground residual seeds were incorporated into the soil substrate as an edaphic fertilizer. In contrast, the hydrolyzed avocado seed was mixed with water or the nutrient Long Ashton and applied as a foliar biostimulant to cherry plants grown in a greenhouse. We report the nutrients and amino acid content in hydrolysates of the avocado and Mucuna’s residue seeds and experiment with their effect in plants employing a completely blocked random design of eight treatments with four replicates. Data inspection involved analysis of variance, and mean differences were determined using Fisher’s least significant difference test. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among the treatments regarding the number of flowers (70%), fruits (23%), and dry weight fruits (25%) in favor of those using these seed residues. A second experiment revealed that treatments containing both seed residues slightly increased the °Brix in fruits. This study supports with evidence that residual seeds benefit tomatoes and probably other important plants, contributing to the path to sustainable agriculture. Full article

The unintended loss of glyphosate and P from cropland may pose an environmental risk to downstream water quality and marine ecosystems. Glyphosate and P compete for exchange sites, and since glyphosate is an organophosphate, it reacts similarly to phosphates in soil. The competition for exchange sites between glyphosate and P could lead to an increased risk of loss due to leaching, leading to water quality degradation and harm to aquatic wildlife. The focus of this study was to (i) determine the sorption tendencies of P and orthophosphate in Florida Entisols and (ii) determine the sorption tendencies of glyphosate in Florida Entisols. Adsorption and desorption experiments were performed for both P and glyphosate. The data from the sorption experiments were fitted to linear, Freundlich, and Langmuir models. Orthophosphate-P (ortho-P) was best represented by the linear isotherm. Glyphosate adsorption was best represented by the linear isotherm, and desorption was best represented by both the linear and Freundlich models. Phosphorus and glyphosate sorption and desorption increased with soil depth, likely due to the higher concentrations of Fe and Al with greater depth. These results could improve P and glyphosate application rates when applied in tandem to citrus trees, increasing overall tree health and improving soil quality. Full article

Greek consumers perceive an increased risk of pesticide residues in food. This study examined Greek consumers’ perceptions of the safety of Greek plant-based food compared to those from other EU countries. One-half of Greek consumers believe Greek food is as safe as other European foods, while the other half disagree. According to a principal component analysis and a bivariate logistic regression, several factors, such as the perceived safety of plant foods, education, age, gender, traceability, perceived benefits and risks of pesticides, actual pesticide use, and authoritative information sources, influence this attitude. Authoritative knowledge in this field can reduce risk perception and improve Greek consumers’ attitudes towards food safety. The latent class analysis identified two categories of consumers. The first class receives limited information about pesticides, leading to lower perceived pesticide benefits, higher mistrust of traceability, and concerns about pesticide residues. In contrast, the second class actively searches for information from credible sources, endorses the Greek plant foods safety, acknowledges the pesticide benefits, and trusts traceability. Official information is associated with reduced risk perception. Regulators should consider the impact of sociodemographic and other intrinsic characteristics on individuals’ risk perceptions and prioritise transparency in risk communication strategies. Full article

The short-term intake (ESTI) of pesticide residues in Hungarian consumers was assessed based on 2331 test results obtained during the 2017–2021 monitoring program on frequently analyzed apples, sour cherries, table grapes, peaches, nectarines, peppers, and strawberries (23.5% of all samples taken from 119 crops). The age-specific consumption data were obtained from national food consumption surveys (2009 and 2018–2020). The exposure was characterized by Hazard Quotient and Hazard Index considering the acute reference doses of pesticide residues detected in the samples. When ESTI was calculated with all detected “single” residues and a variability factor of 3.6, recommended for evaluation of monitoring results, the HI only exceeded 1 for children <3 years old eating grapes (1.50–1.81). HI was <1 when any of the six foods were eaten together within one day. Between forty and fifty percent of samples contained 2–23 residues. Though the individual residue concentrations were below the corresponding MRLs, multiple residues being present in one sample resulted in maximum HI values in apples (1.14); grapes (6.57); peaches and nectarines (2.57); strawberries (2.74); and peppers (10.44). Residues with low ARfD values contributed the most. Applying HI is simple, but provides only point estimates; therefore, it should only be used in first-tier risk assessment. Full article

Neonicotinoid (NN) insecticides derived from natural insecticide nicotine are EU chemical crop protection systemic active substances that are controversial regarding their toxicity and ecotoxicity, especially versus pollinators and birds. Clearly, the last European evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority exhibited a danger to wild and managed bees. Concomitantly, the decline in birds was partially attributed to this class of substances, which constitutes a family in itself, both in Europe and the USA. At the regulatory level, following the initial approval waves in 2011 and 2019, and mainly taking into account these ecotoxicological considerations, the commission banned the use of three NN insecticides in 2013 (imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam), and later, only one NN (acetamiprid) was renewed. Four NN approvals were removed by the end of approval or non-renewal in 2019 and 2020, and two are currently concerns for renewals in 2025, even if extensions of the approval durations of these NNs are to be expected due to the current slowness of the renewal procedure. Therefore, from the total number (17) of NN insecticide molecules known all over the world, up to seven NN were approved by the EU plant protection Regulation EC 1107/2009 between 2011 and now. All of these active substances are listed in Parts A and B of Regulation EU 540/2011 managing active substances. The regulatory evolution of these agrochemicals is analysed in this work, from the corresponding global modifications in terms of the number of active substances, employment, functions, uses covered, protected crops, and maximum residue limits. We also analysed their ability to persist as an agrochemical family and the potential of the inclusion of new NN members together with their current restrictions during their active substance life in Europe. Full article

Horseweed (C. canadensis) and fleabane (C. sumatrensis) are two annual or perennial herbaceous weeds present with high frequency and density in many parts of the world. Their response to water deficit was studied by means of seed germination tests and pot experiments. Seed germination was tested in solutions with different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Two biotypes of each species were examined, one glyphosate resistant and the other susceptible. Growth responses were similar in the two species, both being more affected by lower (−1 MPa) than higher water potential (−0.2 MPa). The results revealed a significant effect of the biotype and the weed species on the drought stress response and adaptation. When high PEG concentrations were applied (−0.6 MPa), both C. sumatrensis biotypes had higher germination percentages (up to 88%) than the C. canadensis biotypes, while in most cases the seeds of the resistant biotypes germinated more (up to 72%) compared to the susceptible ones. These findings were confirmed by means of NDVI values, indicating that remote sensing can be used for a quick evaluation of the drought stress response of these weeds. The results obtained highlight the significant effect of species, biotypes and drought stress level on the germination, survival and growth of the weeds. Full article

As mandated by the EU and the national risk management duties, pesticide residues were determined by four specialized laboratories in 9924 samples taken from 119 crops of economic importance in Hungary and imported foodstuffs during 2017–2021. The screening method applied covered 622 pesticide residues as defined for enforcement purposes. The limit of detection ranged between 0.002 and 0.008 mg/kg. The 1.0% violation rate concerning all commodities was lower than in the European Union. No residue was detectable in 45.9% of the samples. For detailed analyses, six commodities (apple, cherry, grape, nectarine/peach, sweet peppers, and strawberry) were selected as they were analyzed in over 195 samples and most frequently contained residues. Besides testing their conformity with national MRLs, applying 0.3 MRL action limits for pre-export control, we found that 73% of the sampled lots would be compliant with ≥90% probability based on a second independent sampling. Multiple residues (2–23) in one sample were detected in 36–50% of the tested lots. Considering the provisions of integrated pest management, and the major pests and diseases of selected crops, normally three to four and exceptionally, seven to nine active ingredients with different modes of action should suffice for their effective and economic protection within four weeks before harvest. Full article

Use of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides is ubiquitous in US agriculture and widespread around the world. Despite marketing efforts to the contrary, numerous studies demonstrate glyphosate toxicity to non-target organisms including animals, primarily focusing on mortality, carcinogenicity, renal toxicity, reproductive, and neurological toxicity, and the biochemical mechanisms underlying these physiological outcomes. Glyphosate toxicity also impacts animal behavior, both in model systems and in agricultural and environmentally relevant contexts. In this review, we examine the effects of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides on animal behaviors, particularly activity, foraging and feeding, anti-predator behavior, reproductive behaviors, learning and memory, and social behaviors. Glyphosate can be detected both in food and in the environment, and avoided through activity and feeding strategies. However, exposure also reduces activity, depresses foraging and feeding, increases susceptibility to predation, interferes with courtship, mating, fertility and maternal behaviors, decreases learning and memory capabilities, and disrupts social behaviors. Changes in animal behavior as a result of glyphosate toxicity are important because of their sometimes severe effects on individual fitness, as well as ecosystem health. Implications for human behavior are also considered. Full article