The Mediterranean basin thrives in native plant species are able to produce numerous derivatives that can be used for insect pest control. This article provides an up-to-date overview of the most important native plant species commonly found in this region that have a certain insecticidal value in vegetable crops. Regarding the insecticidal activity of extracts from selected native species, results from both laboratory and field experiments will be also presented to highlight the potential of the latter as alternatives to synthetic insecticides. Considering the great diversity in ingredients among the various plant species, it is essential to record and describe the chemical composition of these species, in conjunction with their insecticidal activity against the main insect pests of vegetable crops. The review concludes in underlining the critical points for increasing the effectiveness and consequently the practical use of natural insecticides in crop protection. Moreover, emphasis is given in understanding the importance of the production of standardized and stable natural resource-based insecticides through the development of suitable formulations, such as capsule suspension that protects the active ingredients from environmental degradation and improves their residual activity.

Natural insecticides from native plants of the Mediterranean basin and their activity for the control of major insect pests in vegetable crops: shifting from the past to the future

Bdellovibrionota is composed of obligate predators that can consume some Gram-negative bacteria inhabiting various environments. However, whether genomic traits influence their distribution and marine adaptation remains to be answered. In this study, we performed phylogenomics and comparative genomics studies using 132 Bdellovibrionota genomes along with five metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from deep sea zones. Four phylogenetic groups, Oligoflexia, Bdello-group1, Bdello-group2 and Bacteriovoracia, were revealed by constructing a phylogenetic tree, of which 53.84% of Bdello-group2 and 48.94% of Bacteriovoracia were derived from the ocean. Bacteriovoracia was more prevalent in deep sea zones, whereas Bdello-group2 was largely distributed in the epipelagic zone. Metabolic reconstruction indicated that genes involved in chemotaxis, flagellar (mobility), type II secretion system, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and penicillin-binding protein were necessary for the predatory lifestyle of Bdellovibrionota. Genes involved in glycerol metabolism, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) degradation, cell wall recycling and peptide utilization were ubiquitously present in Bdellovibrionota genomes. Comparative genomics between marine and non-marine Bdellovibrionota demonstrated that betaine as an osmoprotectant is probably widely used by marine Bdellovibrionota, and all the marine genomes have a number of genes for adaptation to marine environments. The genes encoding chitinase and chitin-binding protein were identified for the first time in Oligoflexia, which implied that Oligoflexia may prey on a wider spectrum of microbes. This study expands our knowledge on adaption strategies of Bdellovibrionota inhabiting deep seas and the potential usage of Oligoflexia for biological control.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/4/757/pdf

Phylogenomic Insights into Distribution and Adaptation of Bdellovibrionota in Marine Waters

Plant long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of gene expression through various mechanisms viz. binding to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), physically targeting mRNAs and also act as microRNA (miRNA) sponges. Characteristic secondary metabolites and their content determine the market value of Citrus plant products for culinary and industrial uses. Though lncRNAs are emerging as important molecular players that regulate secondary metabolites in plants but the roles of lncRNAs are yet unknown for the regulation of secondary metabolites in Citrus limon. In this study, a total of 11814 lncRNAs were identified from four RNA-seq datasets comprising of data from four different tissues of C. limon viz. leaf, bud, fruit and peel. Co-expression analysis of whole set of genes with identified lncRNAs revealed a total of 632 lncRNAs correlating with 5810 genes. Functional annotation of genes correlating with lncRNAs unveiled the association of 379 genes with the biosynthesis of secondary metabolite pathways and among them, 36 and 12 genes are from terpenoids and flavonoids metabolism/biosynthesis pathways respectively. Expression correlation analysis unfolded the possible role of 113 lncRNAs in terpenoids metabolism and 29 lncRNAs in the flavonoids metabolic pathway. Seventy nine lncRNAs were predicted to take part in miRNA-mediated gene regulation, out of which 10 lncRNAs were predicted to act as endogenous target mimics (eTMs) for miRNAs and 74 lncRNAs were found to act as miRNA targets. Expression of six predicted lncRNAs and seven correlated genes involved in terpenoids and flavonoids metabolism were validated using semi-quantitative RT- PCR. 

Unravelling lncRNA mediated gene expression as potential mechanism for regulating secondary metabolism in Citrus limon

Aphids are serious pests of a wide range of agricultural crops, including pomegranates and grapevines. In addition, due to the negative environmental impacts of chemical insecticides, these pests are developing important resistance against aphicides. Therefore, one alternative method to control aphids is the use of essential oils (EO). The present study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal activity of Citrus aurantium and C. reticulata peel EO at different concentrations and with different exposure periods to pomegranate and grapevine aphids, Aphis punicae and A. illinoisensis via the topical application method under laboratory conditions. The results reveal that C. aurantium L. EO had greater toxicity against pomegranate and grapevine aphids, with LC50 of 0.37 and 0.82 μL/mL, respectively, at 48 h after application. The highest repellence effect was estimated for C. aurantium EO, at 2.5 μL/cm2, on A. punicae, with a value of 100% after an exposure time of 3 h, in contrast to the 88% repellence estimated for A. illinoisensis. The GC-MS investigation of both essential oils identified limonene, 3-carene, pinene, and p-cymene as active substances that could be attributed to the effects observed. Overall, our results offer a potential tool to control the two aphid species and could help in the development of integrated insect management in pomegranate and grapevine fields.

/pdf/environment-friendly-control-potential-of-two-citrus-1uvba9wm.pdf

Environment-Friendly Control Potential of Two Citrus Essential Oils against Aphis punicae and Aphis illinoisensis (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Insects represent the most diverse group of organisms on our planet with approximately one million described species. While some of them have beneficial effects in ecosystem services through plant pollination and natural pest control, there are numerous quarantine insect pests causing considerable damage to crop production and storage. Consequently, in crop pest management, the application of effective insecticides is extremely needed, and at selection of appropriate active compounds, the effects of insecticides or their residues on non-target organisms should be considered. The application of synthetic insecticides could result in the resistance of the target insect against the applied insecticide. Therefore, recently, a great attention has been devoted to insecticide formulations using active compounds of natural origin that are less toxic than conventional synthetic insecticides, exert the effects exclusively on the target insect and closely related organisms, are very effective in very small doses, are characterized with rapid decomposition, and, due to short exposure, practically do not contribute to environmental pollution. Using a nanotechnology approach, insecticide formulations with the enhanced bioavailability of active ingredients enabling their targeted delivery, controlled release, protection against degradation, and higher effectiveness could be prepared. In this manner, the overuse of these toxic compounds could be avoided resulting in the reduced contamination of the environment and representing an economically favorable solution. This chapter gives a comprehensive overview of recent findings related to the bioactivity of nanoformulations of synthetic and natural insecticides against harmful insects causing severe damage to economically important crops or deteriorating stored food products. The impact of nanoinsecticides on the environment, including potential deleterious effects on non-target organisms, is discussed as well.

Bioactivity of Nanoformulated Synthetic and Natural Insecticides and Their Impact on Environment

The current study is the first report that revealed insecticidal effects of lemon ( Citrus limon ) peel aqueous extract (LFPAE) against common insect pest of rose, aphids ( Macrosiphum roseiformis ) and for its influence on useful non-target predators viz., Coccinella septempunctata and Orius laevigatus on rose plants. Effects of LFPAE seemed promising concerning pest and predators of Rosa spp. The LC ESI Q-TOF MS/MS analysis of extract revealed the presence of ( l -pipecolic acid, scopoletin, pulegone, γ-terpinene, carvone, menthone, myrcene, limonene, (−)-trans-isopiperitenol, geranial and linalool as active components that may be ascribed to observed effects. Also, some major terpenoids α-pinene, β-pinene, γ-terpinene, menthone, linalool, limonene which are known to be present in lemon were tested for their efficacy. LFPAE did not show any toxicity towards C. septempunctata . However, it was moderately toxic to O. laevigatus . Food choice assays and odor choice assay revealed that there was no significant difference obtained between the percentage of pests/predators that reached a particular choice (LFPAE treated, or untreated rose leaves). According to LC 50 values of LFPAE for aphids, the highest toxicity and least value (6.68 mg/ml), was obtained at 72 h which was almost similar to the lowest concentration tested (× 6 = 6.25 mg/ml). Besides at 24 and 48 h LC 50 values were somewhere around × 2 (100 mg/ml) and × 3 (50 mg/ml) concentrations. Among all the terpenoids tested at 24–72 h, γ-terpinene was most toxic with LC 50 value ranging from 0.18 to 0.004 mg/ml followed by menthone (0.8–0.008), β-pinene (5.8–0.004), limonene (5.8–0.009), mixture (8.5–0.003), linalool (12.3–0.13) and α-pinene (17.8–0.02), respectively. Field data showed that LFPAE at × 1 (200 mg/ml), × 2 and × 3 concentration was effective until nine days after treatment (DAT) and lowest concentration × 4 did not show affectivity beyond seven days. However, terpenoids mixture at × 1 (10 mg/ml each) showed affectivity till 11DAT and lower two concentrations (× 2 and × 3) caused significant mortality up to 7DAT.

Aphicidal effects of terpenoids present in Citrus limon on Macrosiphum roseiformis and two generalist insect predators

In silico and proteomic analysis of protein methyltransferase CheR from Bacillus subtilis.

LC ESI Q-TOF metabolomic profiling of pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn.) fruit peel (PFP) aqueous extract was performed to elucidate the possible metabolites present in the PFP, which could be responsible for its acaricidal property against two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). Efficacy of PFP aqueous extract has also been evaluated against aphids (Macrosiphum roseiformis), thrips (Scirthothrips dorsalis) as important sucking pests of ornamental rose and for two generalist predators of these pests viz., Coccinella septumpunctata and Orius insidiosus. Toxicity bioassays PFP at 24 h showed highest value of lethal concentrations LC50 for aphids (876 mg/ml) followed by thrips (57 mg/ml) and the least for spider mites (4.5 mg/ml), which shows its high toxicity for spider mites. UHPLC-QTOF/MS analysis has confirmed of several standard and new compounds including presence of genistein, rutin, 2-hydroxy-5-methylquinone, limonene, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, myricetin, kaempferol and alpha-pinene. Kaempferol, quercetin and myricetin confirmed high toxicity towards all the three pests tested. PFP is a biodegradable eco-friendly source that has a promising role in the management of spider mites on roses.

Identification and efficacy of active metabolites of pomegranate fruit peel aqueous extract against sucking pests of rose and their predators

Popular Tasks used by Researchers

How can I help with your research?

Get more enhanced response by uploading the PDFs you want me to reference.

No relevant PDFs in your library

SciSpace is the AI research assistant for academics. Run systematic literature reviews on 280M+ papers, and write papers with cited sources. Trusted by 1M+ students, PhDs & researchers.

SciSpace | AI for Research

We encountered an error while loading the panel. Please try refreshing the page.

Something went wrong

Analyze PDFs

Code & Manuscripts

Funding & Grants

Literature & Patents

Medical & Clinical Data

Systematic Review

Visualize & Present

Web & Data

Build a Google Scholar-like website for your research.

Build a website

Create charts and images for your research

Create a Chart

Write a paper for submission to a journal

Draft a manuscript

Patent Search

Design eye-catching scientific posters in minutes.

Scientific Poster Generation

Systematic Literature Review

Anyone with the link can view this chat. You can switch it back to private anytime.

One task is running at the moment. Your messages will be shown right after.

Drag and drop or click here to browse

Loved by <highlight>1 million+</highlight> researchers

Extract a list of specific topics and their sources from unstructured text

Topics

Compare and analyze relevant papers that matches with your search

Papers

Get insights from PDFs and bookmarked papers from your library

My library

Recent searches

Try searching for:

Catch AI-generated content in scholarly and non-scholarly content

{ai} Detector

Ai Writer

Get PDF Summaries, highlighted text explanations 

Chat with PDF

Effortlessly create in-text citations and bibliographies in APA and 2,500 other formats

Citation generator

Get explanations, summaries, and answers on academic papers

Ease up your research workflow with {scispace}'s cohort of exciting AI tools

Elevate your academic writing skills and convey your ideas the way you want

Paraphraser

Explore our range of reading and writing tools

Your file is being prepared and should be ready in a few minutes. If it's a large file, it might take a bit longer. You can close this window, and we'll email you the file when it's done.

You have reached a maximum limit of <strong>{limit}</strong> columns in the table. Remove at least <strong>1</strong> column to add or create another one.

Uday Agarwal

Author Tools

Chat about Author

Papers

Aphicidal effects of terpenoids present in Citrus limon on Macrosiphum roseiformis and two generalist insect predators

In silico and proteomic analysis of protein methyltransferase CheR from Bacillus subtilis.

Identification and efficacy of active metabolites of pomegranate fruit peel aqueous extract against sucking pests of rose and their predators