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We provide a one-stop online platform, namely, dsRNAEngineer, to help users optimize dsRNA for RNAi-based pest control.dsRNAEngineer incorporates a range of pest and non-pest species to enable large-scale transcriptome-level analysis for dsRNA design.dsRNAEngineer contains four functionalities, namely, screen-target, on-target, off-target, and multiple-target functions, to design rational dsRNAs that sufficiently target pests but are safe for non-target organisms. Over the past two decades, many double-stranded (ds)-RNAs have been synthesized to silence target genes for exploration of gene functions in pests. Some of these dsRNAs are lethal to pests, leading to a new category of pesticides. The generation of these environmentally friendly pesticides requires precise in silico design of dsRNA molecules that target pests but not non-pest organisms. Current efforts in dsRNA design focus mainly on the analysis of the target gene sequence, lacking comprehensive analysis of all transcripts of the whole transcriptome per given species, causing low efficiency and imprecise dsRNA target exploration. To address these limitations, we created the dsRNAEngineer online platform (https://dsrna-engineer.cn), which allows comprehensive and rational dsRNA design, incorporating hundreds of pest and non-pest transcriptomes. Developed functionalities include screen-target (screen conserved genes for cotargets of various pest species), on-target, off-target, and multi-target to generate optimal dsRNA for precise pest control. [Display omitted] dsRNAEngineer incorporates hundreds of pest and non-pest transcriptomes to provide comprehensive dsRNA design for pest control. With the application of several RNA-based pesticides in the field, dsRNAEngineer illustrates a framework for designing pest-specific and biosafe dsRNA, which will greatly promote the development of RNAi biotechnology as a pest control strategy. Over the past two decades, RNAi biotechnology has been intensively investigated for pest control, and several products have been registered and applied in the field. However, current methods of double-stranded (ds)RNA design lack a comprehensive analysis of all transcripts at the transcriptome level for both pest and non-pest species. To solve these problems, our timely developed tool, dsRNAEngineer (https://dsrna-engineer.cn), which has four functionalities (screen-target, on-target, off-target, and multi-target functions) was developed to help users design rational dsRNAs that sufficiently target pests but are otherwise safe for non-target organisms, based on large-scale transcriptome-level analysis of both pest and non-pest species. With the emergence of RNA pesticides, we believe that dsRNAEngineer can be considered as a gold standard in dsRNA design to promote pest control based on RNAi biotechnology.

Future trajectories of agricultural productivity need to incorporate environmental targets, including the reduction of pesticides use. Landscape features supporting natural pest control (LF-NPC) offer a nature-based solution that can serve as a partial substitute for synthetic pesticides, thereby supporting future productivity levels. Here, we introduce a novel approach to quantify the contribution of LF-NPC to agricultural yields and its associated economic value to crop production in a broad-scale context. Using the European Union as case study, we combine granular farm-level data, a spatially explicit map of LF-NPC potential, and a regional agro-economic supply and market model. The results reveal that farms located in areas characterized by higher LF-NPC potential experience lower productivity losses in a context of reduced synthetic pesticides use. Our analysis suggests that LF-NPC reduces yield gaps on average by four percentage points, and increases income by a similar magnitude. These results highlight the significance of LF-NPC for agricultural production and income, and provide a valuable reference point for farmers and policymakers aiming to successfully invest in landscape features to achieve pesticides reduction targets.

Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus ) is a prominent vegetable crop in Asia, confronting persistent threats from pests such as leafhoppers, whiteflies, and shoot and fruit borers. Conventional chemical control methods, despite their adverse ecological effects, remain the primary approach for pest management. Indiscriminate chemical use has led to reduced biodiversity among natural predators and the disruption of food webs in ecosystems. To address these challenges, this study assessed the efficacy of integrated (IM) and biointensive (BM) pest management modules in comparison to conventional chemical methods (CM) for mitigating insect damage to okra leaves and fruits, and subsequently, their impact on okra yield. Our result revealed that the BM exhibited the least effectiveness but outperformed untreated control plots significantly. In contrast, both IM and CM significantly reduced damage from sap-sucking insects and borer pests. Notably, plots treated with the chemical module found decreased populations of natural enemies. The IM demonstrated the lowest fruit infestation rate (5.06%), yielding the highest crop production (8.97 t ha −1 ), along with the maximum net return (Indian Rupees: 44,245) and incremental cost–benefit ratio (3.31). Thus, the study suggested that the implementation of integrated pest management practices can result in higher okra yields and greater economic benefits. These findings shed light on the potential of sustainable agricultural practices as a safer and more economically viable alternative to chemical-intensive pest control in okra cultivation.

In recent years, the problem of pests seriously affects the yield and quality of crop, posing a major challenge to the safe production of crop, which have seriously hindered the development of China’s agriculture. How to quickly and accurately monitor pests, timely grasp the occurrence dynamics of pests, and prevent and control pests is of great significance for reducing crop yield losses. Considering the discontinuity of spraying pesticides and releasing natural enemies in the process of pest control, and the Filippov system’s ability to accurately depict switching states and human intervention measures, a non-smooth Filippov predator-prey system with threshold strategies is investigated incorporating several different functional responses, such as Holling II functional response and ratio functional response etc, which should be selectively applied dependent on the population of the prey. The aim of this study is to investigate the complex dynamics including bistabilities of the ecosystem when the relative populations of the prey and predator is substantially different, by modelling the non-smooth Filippov system with multiple switchable functional responses for the very first time, which is believed to be more realistic for modeling the dynamics of real ecosystem, thus the solution of the present work may be more suitable for real world applications such as for the integrated pest management. The validity of the proposed system is assessed by simulation, and bifurcation set of equilibria and the global stability of equilibria has been numerically obtained through an arbitrary set of parameters. Moreover, the dynamic behaviors of proposed system, such as the existence of various equilibria and their global stabilities; the existence of various domains such as the sliding domain, escaping domain and crossing domain, have been analyzed in great details in the present work. It is shown that the sliding region and escaping region cannot coexist when the density of the prey and predators is substantially different. It is further demonstrated that the real equilibrium and pseudo-equilibrium points can coexist when the population of the prey is less than that of the predator; and only the virtual equilibrium and pseudo-equilibrium can coexist in the case of when the population of the prey is more than that of the predator.In particular, it is noted that all trajectories of the prey and predators population are eventually converging into certain equilibrium points as it is demonstrated in the numerical simulation. This implies that there exists global asymptotic stability of equilibrium points under the proposed system, in which the population of preys eventually reaches a steady state of density at the real equilibrium and pseudo-equilibrium points. This work also highlights the significant role of the threshold in the process of pest controls: it is seen from this work that different types of equilibrium points can occur dependent on the choice of the economic threshold (ET). The conclusions obtained will be applied to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to spray pesticides and release natural enemies in a timely and quantitative manner, thereby achieving efficient and rapid monitoring and control of large-scale crop. This can more effectively ensure stable and high crop yields, provide theoretical guidance for scientific prevention and control, and is of great significance for reducing the burden on farmers, promoting agricultural development, and realizing agricultural modernization.

The escalating interest in Bacillus velezensis as a biocontrol agent arises from its demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting both phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria, positioning it as a promising candidate for biotechnological applications. This mini review aims to offer a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted properties of B. velezensis , with particular focus on its beneficial interactions with plants and its potential for controlling phytopathogenic fungi. The molecular dialogues involving B. velezensis , plants, and phytopathogens are scrutinized to underscore the intricate mechanisms orchestrating these interactions. Additionally, the review elucidates the mode of action of B. velezensis , particularly through cyclic lipopeptides, highlighting their importance in biocontrol and promoting plant growth. The agricultural applications of B. velezensis are detailed, showcasing its role in enhancing crop health and productivity while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. Furthermore, the review extends its purview in the industrial and environmental arenas, highlighting its versatility across various sectors. By addressing challenges such as formulation optimization and regulatory frameworks, the review aims to chart a course for the effective utilization of B. velezensis . Key points • B. velezensis fights phytopathogens, boosting biotech potential • B. velezensis shapes agri-biotech future, offers sustainable solutions • Explores plant-B. velezensis dialogue, lipopeptide potential showcased

Considering the hibernation of pests and impulsive nonlinear release of natural enemies, we construct a pest management system with hibernation of pests and impulsive nonlinear release of natural enemies. Using Floquet theory and the comparison theorem of impulsive differential equations, we derive the conditions under which the pest-eradication periodic solution is globally asymptotically stable (GAS) and the system is permanent. Furthermore, we obtain a control threshold that is critical for managing pest population. The validity of these conditions is rigorously tested and confirmed through numerical simulations. Our work provides ways to pest management.

To evaluate the efficacy of a synthetic sex-aggregation pheromone of the sand fly vector Lu. longipalpis, co-located with residual insecticide, to reduce the infection incidence of Leishmania infantum in the canine reservoir. A stratified cluster randomised trial was designed to detect a 50% reduction in canine incident infection after 24 months in 42 recruited clusters, randomly assigned to one of three intervention arms (14 cluster each): synthetic pheromone + insecticide, insecticide-impregnated dog collars, or placebo control. Infection incidence was measured by seroconversion to anti-Leishmania serum antibody, Leishmania parasite detection and canine tissue parasite loads. Changes in relative Lu. longipalpis abundance within households were measured by setting three CDC light traps per household. A total 1,454 seronegative dogs were followed-up for a median 15.2 (95% C.I.s: 14.6, 16.2) months per cluster. The pheromone + insecticide intervention provided 13% (95% C.I. 0%, 44.0%) protection against anti-Leishmania antibody seroconversion, 52% (95% C.I. 6.2%, 74·9%) against parasite infection, reduced tissue parasite loads by 53% (95% C.I. 5.4%, 76.7%), and reduced household female sand fly abundance by 49% (95% C.I. 8.2%, 71.3%). Variation in the efficacy against seroconversion varied between trial strata. Equivalent protection attributed to the impregnated-collars were 36% (95% C.I. 14.4%, 51.8%), 23% (95% C.I. 0%, 57·5%), 48% (95% C.I. 0%, 73.4%) and 43% (95% C.I. 0%, 67.9%), respectively. Comparison of the two interventions showed no statistically consistent differences in their efficacies; however, the errors were broad for all outcomes. Reductions in sand fly numbers were predominant where insecticide was located (chicken and dog sleeping sites), with no evidence of insecticide-induced repellence onto humans or dogs. The synthetic pheromone co-located with insecticide provides protection particularly against canine L. infantum parasite transmission and sand fly vector abundance. The effect estimates are not dissimilar to those of the insecticide-impregnated collars, which are documented to reduce canine infection incidence, human infection and clinical VL disease incidence, in different global regions. The trialled novel lure-and-kill approach is a low-cost potential vector control tool against ZVL in the Americas.

In agricultural landscapes, the amount and organization of crops and semi-natural habitats (SNH) have the potential to promote a bundle of ecosystem services due to their influence on ecological community at multiple spatio-temporal scales. SNH are relatively undisturbed and are often source of complementary resources and refuges, therefore supporting more diverse and abundant natural pest enemies. However, the nexus of SNH proportion and organization with pest suppression is not trivial. It is thus crucial to understand how the behavior of pest and natural enemy species, the underlying landscape structure, and their interaction, may influence conservation biological control (CBC). Here, we develop a generative stochastic landscape model to simulate realistic agricultural landscape compositions and configurations of fields and linear elements. Generated landscapes are used as spatial support over which we simulate a spatially explicit predator-prey dynamic model. We find that increased SNH presence boosts predator populations by sustaining high predator density that regulates and keeps pest density below the pesticide application threshold. However, predator presence over all the landscape helps to stabilize the pest population by keeping it under this threshold, which tends to increase pest density at the landscape scale. In addition, the joint effect of SNH presence and predator dispersal ability among hedge and field interface results in a stronger pest regulation, which also limits pest growth. Considering properties of both fields and linear elements, such as local structure and geometric features, provides deeper insights for pest regulation; for example, hedge presence at crop field boundaries clearly strengthens CBC. Our results highlight that the integration of species behaviors and traits with landscape structure at multiple scales is necessary to provide useful insights for CBC.

This paper describes the 'push-pull' or 'stimulo-deterrent diversionary' strategy in relation to current and potential examples from our own experiences. The push-pull effect is established by exploiting semiochemicals to repel insect pests from the crop ('push') and to attract them into trap crops ('pull'). The systems exemplified here have been developed for subsistence farming in Africa and delivery of the semiochemicals is entirely by companion cropping, i.e. intercropping for the push and trap cropping for the pull. The main target was a series of lepidopterous pests attacking maize and other cereals. Although the area given to the cereal crop itself is reduced under the push-pull system, higher yields are produced per unit area. An important spin-off from the project is that the companion crops are valuable forage for farm animals. Leguminous intercrops also provide advantages with regard to plant nutrition and some of the trap crops help with water retention and in reducing land erosion. A major benefit is that certain intercrop plants provide dramatic control of the African witchweed (striga). Animal husbandry forms an essential part of intensive subsistence agriculture in Africa and developments using analogous push-pull control strategies for insect pests of cattle are exemplified.

The non-persistent impact of biocontrol agents can be revealed for pest control when associated entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) negatively affect the natural enemies. In this assay, impacts of Beauvaria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin were studied for their compatibility or side effects on life table parameters of an important generalist predator, Coccinella septempunctata L. The results indicated non-significant impacts of both EPFs on life table parameters of C. septempunctata . The development time (egg-adult) was not significantly different in control (69.79 days) and EPFs treated C. septempunctata (69.35–80.07 days). Both fungi did not induce any significant changes in the fecundity, adult pre-oviposition period (APOP), total preoviposition period (TPOP), and mean generation time (T) as compared to control treatment. Similarly, no difference in fecundity rate of C. septempunctata was observed after EPFs treatment (287.7–288.5) compared to control (290.0). The highest net reproductive rate ( R 0 ) occurred in control (87.05 offspring individual −1 ) and M. anisopliae (86.31 offspring individual −1 ) as compared to B. bassiana treated beetles (76.97 offspring individual −1 ). The age-specific fecundity curves indicated that the C. septempunctata had a similar fecundity rate in both EPFs treatments and control. This study demonstrates no significant side effects of B. bassiana and M. anispoliae on the performance and biology of C. septempunctata . Considering the compatibility of both EPFs with C. septempunctata , their combinations can be recommended in various integrated pest management programs.