New data on hoverfly fauna (Diptera: Syrphidae) of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Hoverflies (Syrphidae) are a large Dipteran family, distributed almost worldwide. They play very important ecological roles such as plant pollination, nutrient recycling and predation of plant pests. The members of the genus Epistrophe Walker, 1852 are medium-sized hoverflies of which about 75 species have been described in the World, and 12 of them occur in Europe. During a survey, conducted from 16th June to 4th July 2021 at Blidinje Nature Park (Bosnia and Herzegovina), a new species, of the fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was recorded – Epistrophe diaphana (Zetterstedt, 1843) and new records for species Epistrophe leiophthalma (Schiner & Egger, 1853) were observed. Specimens were collected from inflorescences of Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium L.). Information about the records, species habitats, distribution and status in the country and the region is presented and discussed in this research work.

Review of plant health clinics: a recent phenomenon for effective plant pests and diseases diagnosis

Plant health clinic is a mechanism in which farmers are able to access basic plant healthcare and services from relevant authority in relation to infested or suspected infested plants and plant products for diagnostic purposes. Plant health clinic is an integral part of the plant health system which provides early pest diagnostic and advisory services to farmers. In this paper, it can be further defined as a basic plant healthcare rendered to farmers to enhance and improve plant production thereby diagnosing plant pests and diseases with the aim of employing appropriate pest management strategy. In many countries, plant health clinics operators are extension experts, plant doctors, inspectors and scientists within government and NGOs. Extension support in particular is critical in the operation of plant health clinics. The purpose of this paper is to provide a global overview of plant clinic as a recent ways of plant diseases diagnosis. This paper concluded that plant health clinics are valuable tools which need to be adopted by various countries for smallholder farmers to understand more about plant pests and diseases as well as management strategy. To the contrary, many countries are dependent on national diagnostic services as opposed to basic plant healthcare which is more accessible to the smallholders. This review paper further revealed that plant health clinics’ knowledge, awareness, accessibility and satisfaction of the smallholder farmers are very important. Plant clinics may not efficiently and effectively operate in the absence of the aforementioned aspects. Plant clinics were found to be the most efficient way to reach smallholder farmers for advice.

OPTIMALISASI BUDIDAYA TOGA DENGAN PEMBUATAN PESTISIDA ALAMI DAN PEMANFAATAN TANAMAN REFUGIA

ABSTRAKKelompok tani dan masyarakat pedesaan berperan dalam kemandirian kesehatan melalui pengembangan TOGA (Tanaman Obat Keluarga). Namun ada beberapa kendala dalam budidaya TOGA, salah satunya adalah hama tanaman sehingga perlunya dilakukan penanganan hama dengan tepat dan aman dengan pembuatan pestisida alami dan pemanfaatan tanaman refugia. Kegiatan ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan masyarakat Desa Laban, Mojolaban, Sukoharjo dalam pembuatan pestisida alami dari daun pepaya dan pemanfaatan tanaman refugia dalam rangka optimalisasi budidaya toga. Metode yang digunakan adalah ceramah dan diskusi. Penyuluhan dilaksanakan melalui whatsapp group. Evaluasi keberhasilan dilaksanakan dengan pemberian pretest dan postest sebelum dan sesudah penyampaian materi serta survei kepuasan mengenai tema dan kegiatan pengabdian melalui pengisian kuesioner. Hasil pengabdian menunjukkan adanya peningkatan pengetahuan masyarakat tentang optimalisasi budidaya TOGA dengan cara pembuatan pestisida alami serta penanaman tanaman refugia sebagai pengendali hama, hal tersebut dapat dilihat dari nilai rata-rata pretest dan posttest yang semula 53,71 menjadi 84,00. Hasil evaluasi kepuasan peserta terhadap tema dan kegiatan pengabdian menunjukkan bahwa dari 35 peserta, 42,9% peserta menyatakan sangat puas, 48,6% peserta menyatakan puas, dan 8,6% peserta menyatakan cukup puas dengan kegiatan dan tema pengabdian masyarakat ini. Kata kunci: budidaya; toga; pestisida; refugia. ABSTRACTFarmer groups and rural communities have a role in health independence through the development of medicinal plants. However, there are several detrimental factors in medicinal plants cultivation, such as plant pests, so we need an proper pest management by making natural pesticides and using refugia plants. This community service program aims to increase the knowledge of the people of Laban Village in context of manufacture of natural pesticides from papaya leaves and the use of refugia plants in order to optimize the cultivation of medicinal plants. The methods used are counceling and discussions via whatsapp group. Evaluation of program was carried out by giving a pretest and posttest and survey of satisfaction through filling out questionnaires. The results of the programs show that there is an increase in participants knowledge about optimizing medicinal plants cultivation by making natural pesticides and planting refugia plants as pest control, as indicated by an increase value of the pretest and posttest from 53.71 to 84.00. The results of the evaluation of participants satisfaction with program showed that 42.9% of the participants said it was very good, 48.6% of the participants said good, and 8.6% of the participants said it was good enough. Keywords: cultivation; medicinal plants; pesticides; refuge.

Highly Variable Dietary RNAi Sensitivity Among Coleoptera

Many herbivorous beetles (Order Coleoptera) contribute to serious losses in crop yields and forest trees, and plant biotechnology solutions are being developed with the hope of limiting these losses. Due to the unprecedented target-specificity of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), and its utility in inducing RNA interference (RNAi) when consumed by target pest species, dsRNA-based plant biotechnology approaches represent the cutting edge of current pesticide research and development. We review dietary RNAi studies in coleopterans and discuss prospects and future directions regarding RNAi-based management of coleopteran plant pests. Herein, we also provide a balanced overview of existing studies in order to provide an accurate re-assessment of dietary RNAi sensitivity in coleopterans, despite the limitations to the existing body of scientific literature. We further discuss impediments to our understanding of RNAi sensitivity in this important insect order and identify critical future directions for research in this area, with an emphasis on using plant biotechnology approaches.

Application of Bacillus subtilis on red onion (Allium ascalonicum)

The increase of public consumption of red onion urge the increased production in order to meet consumer needs. To increase red onion production, it is necessary to formulate cheap and easy technology. This study aims to examine the effect of Bacillus subtilis on the growth and production of red onion (Allium ascalonicum). The research was conducted at the Laboratory of Plant Diseases, Department of Plant Pests and Diseases and Experimental Fam Land, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University Makassar. The study was conducted from February to April 2020. 80-days old red onion were treated with Bacillus subtilis bacteria consisting of 4 levels, namely control (p0), 104 density (p1), 108 density (p2), and 1012 density (p3). The results showed that the application of Bacillus subtilis affected the number of leaves, number of stems (tillers), number of bulbs, bulbs diameter (mm), and bulbs wet weight per plant (grams) with the best treatment at a density of 108 (p2). The rate of sprouting was not affected by the application of Bacillus subtilis.

PERKEMBANGAN Spodoptera frugiperda J.E Smith PADA TANAMAN JAGUNG MANIS (Zea mays L. Saccharata)

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between sweet corn plant phenology and population development and the attack of Spodoptera frugiperda. The research was carried out at the Research Farm and at the Laboratory of Plant Pests, Faculty of Agriculture, Jambi University. The study was conducted on an area of 500 m2 containing 28 plant plots. The sample plants consisted of 4 plots determined systematically. In each sample plot, all plants were used as sample. plants to calculate the percentage of attacked plants, and the percentage of attacked cobs. S. frugiperda population observations were carried out directly on leaves, stems, flowers and cobs. If there were S. frugiperda faeces on the shoots, stems, and cobs, destructive observations were made where the plant parts were opened, to determine the presence of S. frugiperda in them. The data obtained were tabulated and arranged in the form of tables and figures, then explained descriptively. The results showed that: the population of S. frugiperda in each growth phase continued to increase, the highest population of S. frugiperda was found in the R6 phase or in the physiological ripening phase, which was as many as 21 heads per 12 corn plants; the percentage of attacks of S. frugiperda in each phase continues to increase, the highest percentage of attacks is in phase R6, which is 78.72%; the attack of S. frugiperda on cobs began to be seen in the R2-R5 phase and was highest in the R6 phase, which was 68.57%. It is necessary to find the right way to control S. frugiferda.

Empowerment of Watermelon Farmer at Mojosari Village Puger District Jember in Producing Watermelon Low Pesticide Residue

Mojosari Village, Puger Sub-district, is the largest watermelon center in Jember Regency. In 2017, the total harvested area reached 900 Ha and productivity reached 290.72 kW / Ha. The problem that often arises in watermelon cultivation is the attack of plant pests. Pests that often attack watermelons include caterpillars, whitefly, fruit flies, and thrips. Pest control that is often used by farmers is sprayed with chemical pesticides. The spraying of chemical pesticides began to be complained about by farmers because they were not able to control pests, this was probably because the pests were already resistant to pesticides. The decline in watermelon quality is also caused by soil conditions that have begun to decrease in nutrient content, due to the use of excessive chemical fertilizers. Farmers become dependent on chemical pesticides and chemical fertilizers in watermelon cultivation. Therefore, it is necessary to educate farmers to reduce the use of excessive chemical pesticides and fertilizers. One alternative is to use environmentally friendly biological control agents. The result of this activity is that farmers can reproduce biological agents, namely the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, Trichoderma, entomopathogenic nematodes, and make organic fertilizers. Farmers can produce biological agents and apply them to watermelon fields. The resulting watermelon is more durable to store and does not rot easily after harvest.

Amur cork tree as a promising introduction plant for urban green spaces in Moscow and the Moscow region

The article assesses the success of the introduction and decorativeness of Amur cork tree in several plantings on the territory of Moscow and the Moscow region, and also concludes on the expediency of its further use. The results of a survey of five previously created artificial populations are presented. The assessment of the sanitary conditionwas carried out according to the methodology recommended by the Rules of Sanitary Safety in Forests. Flowering andfruiting of plants were evaluated according to the method of N. E. Bulygin. The aesthetic evaluation of the trees was given on a three-point Agaltsova scale. Seasonal decorativeness was studied according to the method of N. V. Kotelova andO. N. Vinogradova. The success of the introduction was evaluated by the method of the Main Botanical Garden of theRussian Academy of Sciences. Studies have established that Amur cork tree in urban plantings in Moscow and the Moscow region is not affected by local diseases and plant pests, shows a high degree of winter hardiness, retains a high degreeof aesthetic appeal, has a consistently high winter decorative effect, blooms profusely and bears fruit, forming germinatingseeds. Therefore, it can be recommended for wider use when creating new green construction projects.