Plant Protection Science - Online first

Azadirachtin as a sustainable tool for zero pesticide residue production: Residue dissipation in open-field tomato productionOriginal Paper

Tahseen Chikte, Václav Psota, Michal Kum¹ta, Tomá¹ Kopta

Plant Protect. Sci., X:X | DOI: 10.17221/90/2025-PPS  

The growing demand for vegetables free from pesticide residues has fuelled the search for sustainable pest management solutions. This study assessed the efficacy of azadirachtin, a neem-derived biopesticide, in achieving no detectable pesticide residues in tomato production under open-field conditions. The experiment, conducted from April to September 2024, included a systematic application and residue analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The results showed that azadirachtin degraded rapidly, with residual levels in leaves, green fruits, and mature fruits falling below the detection threshold (0.01 mg/kg) after 8–10...

Effects of aqueous extracts of Dittrichia viscosa (Asteraceae) and insecticides on life history traits of Chaitophorus leucomelas (Insecta: Aphididae)Original Paper

Fatma Zohra Tchaker, Zahr-Eddine Djazouli, İsmail Karaca

Plant Protect. Sci., X:X | DOI: 10.17221/187/2024-PPS  

Methods used to control insect pests have been mainly chemical. Given the irritations associated with the use of pesticides, a search for alternatives is required, particularly through the use of plant extracts. The present study focused on comparing the insecticidal power of the aqueous extracts of the whole plant Dittrichia viscosa (commonly known as false yellowhead), the aqueous extract ratio of D. viscosa, and the bio-adjuvant Silene fuscata (1 : 1), as well as the synthetic pesticides Thiamethoxam/Lambda-cyhalothrin. Abundance, fecundity, demographic parameters, and biochemical parameters (lipid-glucidic...

An investigation of the presence of Xylella fastidiosa in Cicadomorpha specimens collected in different habitats in PolandOriginal Paper

Monika Ka³u¿na, Gra¿yna Soika, Wojciech Warabieda

Plant Protect. Sci., X:X | DOI: 10.17221/207/2024-PPS  

A quarantine organism, the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Xf), is a xylem-inhabiting, vector-transmitted, Gram-negative, and very slow-growing bacterium in the Lysobacteraceae (earlier Xanthomonadaceae) family. The spreading of X. fastidiosa over long distances occurs mainly via import/export human-mediated transportation of mainly latently or symptomatically infected plant material. Short-distance distribution is usually by xylem sap-feeding insects. Until now, the presence of X. fastidiosa has not been reported or studied in Poland. During our study, over 500 individuals from the four families: Cicadellidae, Aphrophoridae,...

Diversity and Geography of Cultivated PlantsBook Review

Ale¹ Lebeda

Plant Protect. Sci., X:X | DOI: 10.17221/18/2026-PPS  

Editor-in-Chief of this book Karl Hammer, emeritus professor at Kassel University (Germany), is a leading scientist in plant genetic resources (PGR) and agrobiodiversity. His research has focused on taxonomy, plant domestication, ecology, biogeography, conservation and exploitation of PGR in plant breeding. He also performed many studies and conducted missions around the globe. His life activities, knowledge and experience created an excellent background for this book. The book involves a close collaboration with two other editors, Dr. M.Á.E Pérez (Cuba) and Prof. C. Long (China), as well as eleven additional contributors from nine countries. The book...

Bionomics of wheat seed gall nematode Anguina triticiOriginal Paper

Manish Kumar, Matiyar Rahaman Khan, Ajay Singh Sindhu, Arti Kumari, Swathi Karthika, Bharat Gawade, Swathi Karthika Koottiyattil Sasisankar, Ashish Kumar Singh, Vishal Singh Somvanshi, Anil Sirohi

Plant Protect. Sci., X:X | DOI: 10.17221/28/2025-PPS  

The wheat seed gall nematode Anguina tritici is a scientifically interesting nematode due to its aerial parasitic behaviour and ability to survive for years under desiccated conditions in seed galls. However, Anguina's life cycle and its correlation with host-plant growth and environment are poorly understood. Here, we conducted a microplot study at IARI, New Delhi, India, to examine the effects of early and late sowing dates on the life cycle of the wheat seed gall nematode using growing degree days (GDD). The study confirmed the presence of juvenile stages in the soft, undifferentiated floral mass and the upper one-third part of the...

Flavonoids as bio-insecticides: Harnessing plant metabolites as a biochemical shield against insectsReview

Thamaraikannan Sivakumar, Sunilkumar Devanathan, Parthasarathi Ganesan, Kavithamani Duraisamy, Murugan Marimuthu, Vellaikumar Sampathrajan, Karthikeyan Adhimoolam, Senthil Natesan

Plant Protect. Sci., X:X | DOI: 10.17221/56/2025-PPS  

The global decline in crop production poses a significant threat to food security, particularly in the context of a growing human population. Among various environmental constraints on agriculture, biotic stress, particularly that caused by insect pests, remains a major reason for yield losses. Traditionally, synthetic pesticides have been used to manage insect infestations; however, their excessive and non-targeted application has raised serious concerns regarding environmental pollution, adverse health effects, and the accelerated development of pesticide-resistant pest populations. In this context, plant-derived biocactive compounds, particularly...

Interaction of seaweed metabolites with plants to enhance protection against biotic and abiotic stressesReview

Bibi Aida, Deepak Kasote, Jisun Hyunsook Lee

Plant Protect. Sci., X:X | DOI: 10.17221/5/2025-PPS  

Biotic and abiotic stresses severely compromise economically important food crops' nutritional quality, growth, and yield. Conversely, the conventional reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides has generated substantial environmental and health risks, necessitating the development of sustainable alternatives. Seaweeds are rich sources of bioactive primary and secondary metabolites, and also promising natural biostimulants for enhancing plant resilience and productivity. Specific seaweed-derived metabolites function as molecular elicitors, mimicking pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and activating multi-layered plant defence mechanisms....