Problems with the Concept of “Pest” among the Diversity of Pestiferous Thrips

Almost all of the thrips species that are considered pests are members of a single subfamily of Thripidae, the Thripinae, a group that represents less than 30% of the species in the insect Order Thysanoptera. Three of the five major Families of Thysanoptera (Aeolothripidae, Heterothripidae, Melanthripidae) are not known to include any pest species. The Phlaeothripidae that includes more than 50% of the 6300 thrips species listed includes very few that are considered to be pests. Within the Thripidae, the members of the three smaller subfamilies, Panchaetothripinae, Dendrothripinae and Sericothripinae, include remarkably few species that result in serious crop losses. It is only in the subfamily Thripinae, and particularly among species of the Frankliniella genus-group and the Thrips genus-group that the major thrips species are found, including all but one of the vectors of Orthotospovirus infections. It is argued that the concept of pest is a socio-economic problem, with the pest status of any particular species being dependent on geographical area, cultivation practices, and market expectations as much as the intrinsic biology of any thrips species.

PHYTHORMONES AND ABIOTIC STRESS (REVIEW)

Plants experience a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses that cause crop losses worldwide. Preventing crop losses due to these factors is of particular importance. For this, it is important to understand the mechanisms of both suppressing and stimulating seed germination and to develop technologies for controlling seed dormancy and development in order to avoid unwanted germination in the ears. Gene switching technologies can be used to address this and similar problems in seed development. Recent studies have shown that classical phytohormones - auxins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, ethylene, gibberellins - control all stages of plant ontogenesis. In addition to the classic phytohormones, there are relatively new ones - brassinosteroids, jasmonates, strigolactones, salicylates, which deserve consideration in a separate review. Together, these compounds are important metabolic engineering targets for the production of stress-resistant crops. In this review, we have summarized the role of phytohormones in plant development and resistance to abiotic stresses. Experimental data were presented on the transport of phytohormones, the interaction between them, as a result of which the activity of a certain hormone can be either enhanced or suppressed. We have identified the main links of phytohormones with an emphasis on the response of plants to abiotic stresses and have shown that the effect of an individual hormone depends on the ratio with other phytohormones and metabolites. Additional research along these lines will help explain different stress responses and provide tools to improve plant stress tolerance.

Diseases that provoke fungi in leguminous cereals and measures of fighting against them

Many crop losses have been observed in all states due to diseases in which fungi come from leguminous grain crops such as mung bean, peas and beans. In particular, this situation was noted in scientific observations conducted in several regions of our republic where legumes are grown. Fuzariosis, which occurs in leguminous grain crops, has been studied in studies on root rot, anthracnosis, ascochitosis, flour-dew and other fungi diseases, at what time of their appearance, spread, development and damage to the crop. From these diseases, root rotting in chickenpox and fuzariosis, as well as anthracnosis in mung bean and beans, root rot in fuzariosis, rapid spread and development of flour-dew diseases in connection with weather conditions have been identified.

PEG-induced Drought Stress in Plants: A Review

Drought is one of the most commonly faced significant factors that impede plant productivity and growth. Especially in the context of agriculture, crop productivity and sustainable farming are most adversely affected by water shortage conditions caused by drought. Plants have several adaptations to respond to such conditions, both physiological as well as metabolic. An understanding of these adaptations is essential to develop a biotechnological solution to the problem of drought-related crop losses across the globe. This review addresses the various changes that plants undergo when subjected PEG (Polyethylene glycol). Various drought stress markers are associated with PEG induced stress are expressed in the biochemistry, physiology, photosynthesis and metabolism of the plant. Therefore PEG treatment in plants are considered as an effective model for drought stress investigation.

Determination of Main Spectral and Luminescent Characteristics of Winter Wheat Seeds Infected with Pathogenic Microflora

In connection with the constant growth of demand for high-quality food products, there is a need to develop effective methods for storing agricultural products, and the registration and predicting infection in the early stages. The studying of the physical properties of infected plants and seeds has fundamental importance for determining crop losses, conducting a survey of diseases, and assessing the effectiveness of their control (assessment of the resistance of crops and varieties, the effect of fungicides, etc.). Presently, photoluminescent methods for diagnosing seeds in the ultraviolet and visible ranges have not been studied. For research, seeds of winter wheat were selected, and were infected with one of the most common and dangerous diseases for plants—fusarium. The research of luminescence was carried out based on a hardware–software complex consisting of a multifunctional spectrofluorometer “Fluorat-02-Panorama”, a computer with software “Panorama Pro” installed, and an external camera for the samples under study. Spectra were obtained with a diagnostic range of winter wheat seeds of 220–400 nm. Based on the results obtained for winter wheat seeds, it is possible to further develop a method for determining the degree of fusarium infection.

First report of injuries associated with triclopyr herbicide drift in grapevines

In the southern region of Brazil, close proximity of vineyards to soybean areas is common, and glyphosate is used frequently to allow for the control of weeds. However, the continuous use of this chemical has accelerated the process of selection for resistant species such as horseweed (Conyza spp.), thus leading to the search for alternative herbicides such as triclopyr to control this weed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report detailing injuries associated with triclopyr drift in grapevines in Brazil, in the Northern region of Parana state, that can result in crop losses that were previously uncharacterized. In this report, the primary symptoms associated with the drift of triclopyr in grapevines are described. Additionally, the major implications of this process regarding vine development along the next crop seasons are explored, and the primary measures to prevent these injuries are discussed.

Mahakal Blessed My Crop: Community Dynamics and Religious Beliefs Influence Efficacy of a Wildlife Compensation Program

Conservation conflicts or human-wildlife conflicts present one of the foremost challenges to wildlife conservation globally. The challenges of reconciling human safety and food security with the conservation of large-bodied wildlife are further compounded in the developing nations with a high spatial overlap of wildlife with people. Therefore, conservation models are required to offset losses faced by affected communities while at the same time ensuring the long-term conservation of wildlife species in shared spaces. Ex-gratia payment is one such widely used conflict mitigation instrument that aims to reduce losses and increase tolerance toward damage-causing wildlife species. However, the efficacy of such programs is rarely investigated and the complex interplay of local beliefs, traditions, and community dynamics are rarely incorporated in the compensation programs. This paper aimed to study an ex-gratia payment program for crop losses in India using ecological, economic, and social lenses. In this study, we used 119 interview surveys across 30 villages. Linear models and thematic analysis were used to understand the sources of crop losses, the propensity to claim ex-gratia payments, and the reasons for claiming or not claiming. We find that even though wildlife is the major cause of crop loss in the region, especially to elephants, the majority of the respondents (53%) did not claim compensation for the losses. The reasons varied from procedural failures to a negative evaluation of the process or the agency involved but the most recurrent reason for not claiming was a deep religious belief in certain communities on the elephant God, “Mahakal.” Our work indicates that the cultural reverence toward the species is enabling the acceptance of losses. We propose that such complex cultural beliefs and local traditions should be considered when designing schemes that aim to garner conservation support toward damage-causing wildlife species.

Molecular Mechanisms of Nitric Oxide (NO) Signaling and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Homeostasis during Abiotic Stresses in Plants

Abiotic stressors, such as drought, heavy metals, and high salinity, are causing huge crop losses worldwide. These abiotic stressors are expected to become more extreme, less predictable, and more widespread in the near future. With the rapidly growing human population and changing global climate conditions, it is critical to prevent global crop losses to meet the increasing demand for food and other crop products. The reactive gaseous signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO) is involved in numerous plant developmental processes as well as plant responses to various abiotic stresses through its interactions with various molecules. Together, these interactions lead to the homeostasis of reactive oxygen species (ROS), proline and glutathione biosynthesis, post-translational modifications such as S-nitrosylation, and modulation of gene and protein expression. Exogenous application of various NO donors positively mitigates the negative effects of various abiotic stressors. In view of the multidimensional role of this signaling molecule, research over the past decade has investigated its potential in alleviating the deleterious effects of various abiotic stressors, particularly in ROS homeostasis. In this review, we highlight the recent molecular and physiological advances that provide insights into the functional role of NO in mediating various abiotic stress responses in plants.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus): Processing, Utilization, and Genetic Improvement

Brassica napus L. is a vegetable oil crop, commonly known as rapeseed (or canola). It is widely used as a source of oil and protein for food and industrial applications, but also as a remedy, and in a field of attraction or as an ornament due to its diverse flower colors. Every part of rapeseed is useful, even the waste, which could be used to feed animals, or recycled. In this review, the use of rapeseed in these applications is presented, starting with the preparation of oil and protein from the seeds, before their release in the market, to the utilization of natural unprocessed rapeseed. Progress in rapeseed exploitation for food, remedy, energy source, and industrial applications are analyzed to show variability in diverse findings, to provide insights and progressive descriptions of rapeseed usage to other scholars. Moreover, advancements in breeding for rapeseed improvement were described. In the future, strategies could be developed or improved to avoid or decrease crop losses, but also to increase interest in propagating the valuable traits of rapeseed.