Academic literature on the topic 'Calonectria, integrated control, biological control, fumigation'

Chemical control represents the main effective strategy for managing Calonectria diseases in ornamental nurseries. The occurrence of fungicide-resistant strains and the European Directive on “Sustainable Use of Pesticides” has forced ornamental plant growers to establish effective integrated pest management strategies to control Calonectria infections. Here, three nursery experiments were performed to detect the best combinations of fungicides and biological control agents (BCA) to control both leaf spot, caused by six Calonectria spp. on bottlebrush and metrosideros, and stem rot, caused by Calonectria morganii on Dodonaea plants. Overall, the cyprodinil + fludioxonil mixture alone or combined with bioformulates containing Bacillus, Trichoderma, and Streptomyces spp. provided the best performance in reducing leaf spot and stem rot caused by Calonectria spp., followed by the mixture of boscalid + pyraclostrobin. Although BCA alone provided disease suppression significantly lower than the controls in most cases, these treatments were, on average, the least effective in controlling Calonectria infections. Otherwise, there were no significant increases in efficacy with fungicides plus BCA over fungicides alone. Thus, the application of boscalid + pyraclostrobin and cyprodinil + fludioxonil mixtures may also be used in large-scale applications to reduce Calonectria diseases because they effectively managed leaf and stem infections. Our comprehensive research applied previously acquired information on Calonectria disease management in nurseries, resulting in important data that affects integrated plans to fight these pathogens in accordance with European legislation.

Soil fumigation with methyl bromide plus chloropicrin is used as a preplant treatment to control a broad range of pathogens in high-value annual crop production systems. In California, fumigation is used on approximately 10,125 ha of strawberry production to control pathogens ranging from Verticillium dahliae to root pruning pathogens such as Pythium, Rhizoctonia, or Cylindrocarpon spp. In addition to pathogen control, fumigation also causes an enhanced growth response of the plant and reduces weed pressure. The development of successful, long-term cost effective biocontrol strategies most likely will require the development of an integrated systems approach that incorporates diverse aspects of the crop production system. Although application of single microbial inoculants may provide some level of control for specific production problems, it will be a challenge to provide the broad spectrum of activity needed in production fields.

The desirability of integrated fruit production, defined as an economical way of growing fruit while providing long-term safeguards to public health and the environment, and components of such a system that are currently available in the Netherlands (biological pest control, supervised chemical control of diseases, resistant cultivars, alternatives to herbicides and to soil fumigation, replacement of plant growth regulators, novel spraying techniques and fertigation) are discussed. Results of ongoing trials with 8 cultivars of apples at Numansdorp and Zeewolde, in which the current standard method of production is being compared with 2 systems of integrated production, are also presented. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

This research evaluates biological control agents (BCAs) and fungicide alone and in combination for the management of decline caused by multiple fungi on milkwort (Polygala myrtifolia). Four experiments were performed in a greenhouse within a nursery located in Catania province (southern Italy). The activity of fungicides and biological control agents was evaluated by calculating the plant mortality (%) and recovery frequency (%) of different fungi associated with symptomatic tissue. Comprehensively, boscalid + pyraclostrobin and fosetyl-Al showed the best results in managing disease complex on milkwort. Biological control agents provided, on average, the lowest performances; nevertheless, in most cases, they were able to significantly reduce multiple infections and sometimes when combined with fungicide enhanced the effectiveness. The molecular analysis of 86 isolates obtained from symptomatic tissue allowed to identify the fungi involved in the disease as Calonectriapauciramosa, C. pseudomexicana, Fusariumoxysporum, Neocosmospora solani (syn. F. solani) and binucleate Rhizoctonia AG-R. Calonectriapseudomexicana never reported on milkwort and in Europe was inoculated on P. myrtifolia potted healthy cuttings and produced crown and root rot after 40 days. Our findings represent the first worldwide report about disease complex of milkwort caused by several fungi (Calonectria spp., Fusarium spp. and binucleate Rhizoctonia) and on the effects of integrated control strategies to manage this disease in the nursery.

Abstract Urban insect pests such as ants, termites, cockroaches, and bed bugs are more than just nuisances; they often negatively impact structures, landscapes, animal health, commercial food production, food safety, and public health (mental, physical, and financial). Due to the tremendous burden these insects can inflict, researchers, manufacturers, and pest management professionals work to create solutions that effectively manage urban and structural pests. One solution that has proven useful in agriculture is the development of an integrated pest management (IPM) plan; i.e., a science-based approach to pest control that utilizes multiple tactics such as preventative tools, chemical control (sprays, fumigation, and baits), biological control, and exclusion. There are many permutations of urban IPM plans, but in general they consist of five components: 1) identifying the pest, 2) monitoring the pest, 3) developing an intervention plan (including prevention and control techniques), 4) implementing the program, and 5) recording and evaluating the results. The objectives of the current publication were to 1) highlight urban entomology research published in 2019 and 2) show how the results from these publications help pest management professionals create and implement IPM plans.

AbstractAmong the insect species causing infestations and serious damages to stored commodities, the cigarette beetle,Lasiodermaserricorne(F.) and the tobacco moth,Ephestiaelutella(Hübner) are the major pests of both raw and manufactured tobacco. Post-harvest tobacco control is achieved through sanitation, insect monitoring, and fumigation with phosphine. However, insect resistance to phosphine and control failures have been reported, and increasing regulatory pressure is being exerted on fumigants. Biological control agents such asBacillus thuringiensis(Bt) appear to be environmentally sound and potentially viable alternatives to chemical control. Bt is a bacterium that produces insecticidal crystal proteins during the sporulation phase and has been, for more than 40 years, the microorganism of choice for the biocontrol of phytophagous insect pests. It produces insecticidal crystal proteins that display specific activity against certain orders of insects and become active upon ingestion by the insect. Our laboratory has conducted extensive research and worldwide surveys to evaluate the presence of Bt in stored tobacco and has confirmed previous findings indicating that Bt may be considered part of the naturally occurring phylloplanemicroflora. Several Bt strains were isolated from tobacco and characterized by DNA and protein profiling. The insecticidal activity of selected strains and of two commercial products against the larvae ofL. serricornewas determined by diet incorporation assays. Moreover, the stability of Bt spores and crystal proteins on cured tobacco leaves was assessed over a storage period of time of 30 months. Cigarette prototypes were made with Bt-treated tobacco. Standard cigarette and smoke evaluations did not show any significant difference between the test and control cigarettes. Although the tested Bt strains and products did not yield satisfactory levels of mortality at the required times and doses, the experimental results summarized in the present review indicate thatB. thuringiensishas potential for the control of the cigarette beetle. The integration of conventional control approaches with novel systems based on biological agents with different modes of action should offer new avenues for the effective management of stored tobacco pests in line with integrated pest management (IPM) concepts.

Nonchemical methods including host resistance, organic amendments, crop rotation, soil solarization, and cultural practices have been used to control soilborne pests in fresh market vegetable production systems. Their suitability as alternatives to methyl bromide will depend on the approach to pest management used by the grower. Traditionally, methyl bromide is used in production systems that rely on the single application of a broad-spectrum biocide to disinfest soils prior to planting. Non-chemical methods are not suitable for a single tactic approach to pest management because they do not provide the same broad spectrum of activity or consistency as fumigation with methyl bromide. Nonchemical methods are compatible with an integrated pest management (IPM) approach, where multiple tactics are used to maintain damage from pests below an economic threshold while minimizing the impact to beneficial organisms. However, adoption of IPM is hindered by the paucity of economically feasible sampling programs and thresholds for soilborne pests and by a reluctance of growers to commit additional resources to the collection and management of biological information. A novel approach to the management of soilborne pests is to design the crop production system to avoid pest outbreaks. Using this “proactive” approach, a tomato production system was developed using strip-tillage into existing bahia-grass pasture. By minimizing inputs and disruption to the pasture, growers were able to reap the rotational benefits of bahiagrass without cultivating the rotational crop. While minimizing the need for interventive procedures, a proactive approach is difficult to integrate into existing crop production systems and will require several years of testing and validation.

Plant essential oils (EOs) and their active compounds are recognized as sustainable tools for the management of arthropod pests. The bitter orange, Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae), is a widespread tree in the Mediterranean region that is used especially as a rootstock for other Citrus. Although most of this plant’s parts are accredited with medicinal properties, its fruits are not consumable and generally considered as non-valued waste. The aim of this work was to assess the potential use of the EO extracted by hydrodistillation from C. aurantium peel in the fumigation of chickpea seeds against Calloosbruchus maculatus. Analysis of EO of the bitter orange peel by gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) identified twenty-two compounds with limonene as the major component (86%). EOs of C. aurantium peel exerted toxic effects, in a concentration-dependent manner, on eggs (LC50 = 62.7 µL/L air), larval stages inside the seed (LC50 = 62.8 µL/L air), and adults (females: LC50 = 148 μL/L air and males: LC50 = 109 µL/L air). The C. aurantium EO also negatively affected the biological and demographic performances of the weevil compared to the untreated control. Fecundity and the number of emerged adults were reduced by more than 57 and 71, respectively, while the net reproduction rate and the intrinsic rate of increase were respectively decreased by over 71% and 37%, resulting in the total extinction of the pest at a concentration equal to 100 µL/L air. Our findings suggest the possible valorization of bitter orange peel by using them as a source of bioinsecticide to be integrated within sustainable programs for the management of stored product pests. Further studies are needed to verify similar uses of essential oils extracted from solid wastes from citrus-processing industries.

Calonectria species are important plant pathogens in ornamental plant nurseries. The chemical control of Calonectria diseases is necessary, but alternative management strategies would be re-evaluated to comply with the latest European Regulations on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides (Directive 2009/128/EC). Several experiments were carried out to develop integrated pest management (IPM) programs for controlling of leaf spot, stem rot and crown and root rot caused by several Calonectria species on several ornalmental plants. In vitro preliminary assays showed a variable antagonistic activity of some Trichoderma spp., Clonostachys rosea and Penicillium oxalicum. In vivo experiments showed that a good control of Calonectria diseases is achieved by applying boscalid+pyraclostrobin or cyprodinil+fludioxonil in combinations with different BCAs belonging to the genus Bacillus, Trichoderma and Streptomyces. All biological and integrated treatments were able to manage stem rot on Dodonaea viscosa, crown and root rot on Polygala myrtifolia and leaf spot on Metrosideros spp. and Callistemon spp. Since Calonectria species are soil-borne pathogens producing microsclerotia (that represent the primary inoculum) in the soil, the reduction or suppression of this inoculum is an important task of management of this pathogen. The first set of experiments of this PhD thesis on soil fumigation with metham-sodium and dazomet show clearly excellent performances in reducing Calonectria microsclerotia viability both in microcosm and in nursery when applied at label and sub-label rats. Moreover, in accordance with the Directive 2009/128/EC on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides , in these experiment these fumigants were applied at rates lower and lower and in association with gas-tight tarps, such as VIF and TIF. The data showed that in these conditions both fumigants were able to reduce Calonectria microsclerotia, with a consequent reduction of amount of fumigants (up to 5-fold reduced). In addition, the use of TIF barrier offered a better retain capacity of fumigant than VIF, with a lower emission of pollutant molecules to the atmosphere and a lower impact in rhizosphere.

Potato production is seriously compromised due to prevalence of a number of diseases and they are the major constraints in potato production resulting in significant yield reduction. Integrated disease management of potato includes regular inspection for healthy seed or nursery, crop production, correct identification of the problem, cultural practices (crop rotation, sanitation etc.), biological control, soil fumigation (if necessary), seed or nursery stock treatment and disinfestations of cutting tools. Due to the ever increasing number of new fungicide resistant fungal pathogens, proper and timely diagnosis of potato diseases is becoming paramount to effective disease management, and growers need up-to-date information to help make important decisions on optimal use and timing of pesticides and other control options.