Plant Protection Science, 2017 (vol. 53), issue 1

List of Reviewers 2016

editors

Plant Protect. Sci., 2017, 53(1):I-II | DOI: 10.17221/9417-PPS  

Key scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of high economic importance in a Mediterranean area: host plants, bio-ecological characteristics, natural enemies and pest management strategies - a reviewReview

Ramzi Mansour, Kaouthar Grissa-Lebdi, Pompeo Suma, Gaetana Mazzeo, Agatino Russo

Plant Protect. Sci., 2017, 53(1):1-14 | DOI: 10.17221/53/2016-PPS  

Key scale insects that have long been considered as having high economic importance in Tunisia and for which several research studies and pest management programs have been undertaken include the mealybug species Planococcus ficus (Signoret) and Planococcus citri Risso, the soft scale Saissetia oleae (Olivier) and the armoured scale Parlatoria ziziphi (Lucas). The host plants, bio-ecological aspects, auxiliary fauna of each of the aforementioned species as well as the related economic losses and pest management strategies adopted are explored and discussed. Among these species, P. ficus is considered herein...

Formulation of entomopathogenic nematodes for crop pest control - a reviewReview

Heriberto Cruz-Martínez, Jaime Ruiz-Vega, Pastor T. Matadamas-Ortíz, Carlos I. Cortés-Martínez, Jesusita Rosas-Diaz

Plant Protect. Sci., 2017, 53(1):15-24 | DOI: 10.17221/35/2016-PPS  

The different materials and methods used to develop biopesticides with entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) still limit the quality of the final product, reducing field efficacy and complicating application strategies. Therefore, the objective of this review is to identify priority areas to improve the EPN formulation process based on the scientific and technological research developed so far. The results show great progress in the EPN survival time, from 7 days to 180 days, through two types of formulations: water dispersible granules and calcium alginate capsules. Also, EPNs formulated and applied as insect cadavers showed higher efficacy for the pest...

Genetic population structure of Bemisia tabaci in Spain associated with Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus - short communicationShort Communication

Dirk JANSSEN, Almudena SIMON, Oscar CRESPO, Leticia RUIZ

Plant Protect. Sci., 2017, 53(1):25-31 | DOI: 10.17221/62/2016-PPS  

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) originates from Asia where it is persistently transmitted by indigenous cryptic species of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. The virus has recently invaded Spain, Tunisia, and Italy, and to investigate whether whitefly species new to the Mediterranean are involved, 35 populations were collected during 2015 from different crops in different regions of southern Spain. Comparison of partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I sequences from the collected whiteflies revealed the existence of 7 different haplotypes belonging to the Mediterranean-Q1 cryptic species. ToLCNDV was detected in 15 populations...

Characterisation of endophytic bacteria from a desert plant Lepidium perfoliatum L.Original Paper

Yuanting LI, Cong CHENG, Dengdi AN

Plant Protect. Sci., 2017, 53(1):32-43 | DOI: 10.17221/14/2016-PPS  

Sixty-two endophytic bacteria from the leaves, roots, and stems of healthy Lepidium perfoliatum L. were isolated and characterised. From the results, 89, 87, 90, and 97% isolates could tolerate 12% NaCl, 30% PEG 6000, 50°C and pH 10, respectively. 74% isolates could form a biofilm. Besides, 28 isolates could improve the germination rate of host seeds under different degree of drought stress. These data suggest that the endophyte isolates show considerable resistance to abiotic stress and assist their plant hosts to germinate under drought stress.

Effects of insecticides used against the European corn borer on thrips abundance on maizeOriginal Paper

Paweł Krystian Bereś, Halina Kucharczyk, Dariusz Górski

Plant Protect. Sci., 2017, 53(1):44-49 | DOI: 10.17221/78/2016-PPS  

The effect of a single chemical treatment against Ostrinia nubilalis (Hbn.) on thrips abundance on maize in south-eastern Poland was evaluated. Two insecticides: Karate Zeon 050 CS, containing lambda-cyhalothrin, and Proteus 110 OD, containing thiacloprid with deltamethrin, were tested. Maize was sprayed in the second ten days of July, during the abundant occurrence of O. nubilalis larvae, which coincided with the population peak of thrips on plants. The tested active substances showed high effectiveness against thrips, but a better effect, reflected in a decrease in thrips abundance, was found for the mixture of thiacloprid with...

Natural parasitism of the second generation European corn borer eggs Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) by Trichogramma spp. in sweet corn fields in Vojvodina, Serbia - short communicationShort Communication

Ján Tancik

Plant Protect. Sci., 2017, 53(1):50-54 | DOI: 10.17221/12/2016-PPS  

Natural parasitism of the European corn borer eggs (Hübner) by Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) was assessed in sweet corn field in north-west Serbia, region Vojvodina at the localities of Ruski Krstur, from 2004 till 2007. The rate of egg parasitism in 2004 varied from 35.89% to 73.58%. The parasitism in 2005 was lower than in 2004. On four different sampling dates in 2005 parasitism varied from 28.48% to 57.05% and averaged 39.4%. In 2006 parasitism fluctuated between 9.31 and 62.9%, averaging 32.15%. In 2007 parasitism varied from 36.8% to 54.54% and averaged 43.48%. The egg parasitoid species was identified as Trichogramma...

Management of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) stand height using growth regulatorsOriginal Paper

Tomáš Spitzer, Jan Bílovský

Plant Protect. Sci., 2017, 53(1):55-60 | DOI: 10.17221/24/2016-PPS  

The possibility of reduce the length of poppy plants and their risk of lodging by applying selected plant growth regulators and effects on the plant and yield were studied in field experiments during 2010-2012. Statistically significant reduction was achieved only with ethephon (576 g a.i./ha) in all experimental years. In 2010 reduction for metconazole (60 g a.i./ha) was recorded. In 2012, ethephon at rates of 576 and 288 g a.i./ha prevented significantly poppy lodging. The 576 g a.i./ha rate was phytotoxic and decreased yield. The commonly used 576 g a.i./ha rate diminished heights by 16-20 cm in all experimental years and significantly reduced lodging...