Biological Control最新文献

{"title":"The benefits and potential of pre-emptive weed biological control: Three case studies in Queensland, Australia","authors":"M.D. Day,&nbsp;J.T. Callander","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Invasive weed species can have significant impacts on agriculture, biodiversity and livelihoods. The cost and feasibility of managing these species using conventional means can be prohibitive depending on the size of the infestations or the habitats in which they invade. Under these conditions, biological control is seen as a viable, sustainable means to manage many weeds. However, biological control can take many years and at considerable cost to achieve the desired level of control, due to the numerous steps that are involved, including native range surveys and host-specificity testing of potential agents. Pre-emptive biological control targeting particularly high-risk species prior to their arrival in a country or emerging weeds can be cost-effective, especially if the respective biological control agents have been utilized in other countries. While pre-emptive biological control of arthropods has been investigated previously, there are few examples of pre-emptive biological control of weed species. The invasive weed species, <em>Chromolaena odorata</em>, <em>Mikania micrantha</em> and <em>Coccinia grandis</em> have all been or are currently targets of pre-emptive biological control in Australia. Research on the gall fly <em>Cecidochares connexa</em> was initiated prior to its host, <em>C. odorata</em> being detected in Australia. <em>Cecidochares connexa</em> was eventually released in Australia to control <em>C. odorata</em>, after initial research on the agent found it to be suitably host specific and effective against the target weed. <em>Cecidochares connexa</em> has also been released in numerous other countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, where it is providing very good control. Australia funded research on the rust <em>Puccinia spegazzinii</em> as part of a project involving Fiji and Papua New Guinea while the target weed, <em>M. micrantha</em> was a target for eradication in Queensland. The rust was later approved for release in Australia to control <em>M. micrantha</em> following additional host-specificity testing. However, research funded by Australia overseas suggests that the rust may not be able to suppress <em>M. micrantha</em> populations below current levels. Consequently, while <em>P. spegazzinii</em> has been released in numerous countries now, it has not yet been field released in Australia. Biological control research in Australia on <em>C. grandis</em> is relatively new as the weed is relatively minor and not yet declared a target for biological control. Consequently, no biological control agents have yet been released in the country. Pre-emptive biological control of <em>C. odorata</em> and <em>M. micrantha</em> has been particularly cost-effective, not just for Australia, but subsequently for numerous other countries where these weeds were well-established and problematic and the respective biological control agents were later released.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"198 ","pages":"Article 105635"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142526779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identifying insect predators using camera traps reveal unexpected predator communities in oilseed rape fields","authors":"Gaëtan Seimandi-Corda ,&nbsp;Thomas Hood ,&nbsp;Matthew Hampson ,&nbsp;Todd Jenkins ,&nbsp;Daniel Blumgart ,&nbsp;Jamie Hall ,&nbsp;Kelly Jowett ,&nbsp;Toke Thomas Høye ,&nbsp;Samantha M. Cook","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105636","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105636","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cameras are common tools for ecologists studying species abundance, richness, and interactions. They are mainly used to study large animals but are increasingly used to study invertebrates. Camera traps could be a powerful tool to identify and quantify the natural enemies, such as predators, of specific agricultural pests. This knowledge can then be applied to adapt farming practices to favour the predators identified and improve conservation biocontrol.</div><div>Here, cameras were used to identify predators of two insect pests of oilseed rape (<em>Brassica napus</em>): the pollen beetle (<em>Brassicogethes aeneus</em>) and the brassica pod midge (<em>Dasineura brassicae</em>). These insects are spring pests of oilseed rape and are both susceptible to predation by ground-dwelling arthropods during their development cycle. The objectives of this study were to 1) identify the predators of the pest species, and 2) investigate the hypothesis that the diel activity periods of the predators match the timing of pest larval presence on the ground. Field observations were conducted in two locations over two consecutive years in the UK.</div><div>In contrast to previous reports, our data collected using cameras showed that larval stages of predatory beetles are responsible for most of the predation events and that adult stages were not frequently observed feeding on the prey. Our data also showed that the traditional method, using pitfall traps, failed to detect the presence of large numbers of beetle larvae. Interestingly, the pests dropped to the ground and were therefore most susceptible to predation at the time when predators were most active.</div><div>These results give new insight on the predators of the two most important spring pests of oilseed rape in Europe. This knowledge can be used by practitioners to develop framing practices targeted on enhancing the abundance of the larval stages of these beneficial arthropods to better control the pests in a more sustainable way.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"198 ","pages":"Article 105636"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142526780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"PaLAR3 genotype variability for enhanced resistance against Heterobasidion parviporum in Norway spruce: Insights into allelic frequencies, disease response, and the role of mycoviruses","authors":"Muhammad Kashif,&nbsp;Eeva Terhonen,&nbsp;Leena Hamberg,&nbsp;Tuula Piri,&nbsp;Matti Haapanen,&nbsp;Sirkku Pöykkö,&nbsp;Eeva J. Vainio,&nbsp;Jarkko Hantula","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105633","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105633","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Heterobasidion parviporum</em> is a destructive forest pathogen causing root and stem rot of Norway spruce (<em>Picea abies</em>) in northern hemisphere. Previous research has suggested that a gene form of PaLAR3 that encodes for the leucoanthocyanidin reductase enzyme, may increase resistance to <em>H. parviporum</em> in Norway spruce, whether heterozygous or homozygous. Our experiment was initially focused on testing this assertion with materials from the Finnish Norway spruce breeding program, comprising 52 full-sib families. Additionally, we investigated the influence of mycoviruses on the growth of <em>H. parviporum</em>. The frequencies of the three PaLAR3 genotypes AA, AB, and BB were 64%, 30%, and 6%, respectively. We found no significant differences in the necrotic response to <em>H. parviporum</em> between the homozygous (BB) and heterozygous (AB) genotypes vs. the homozygous (AA) genotype across the two fungal strains tested, suggesting the gene is rather ineffective as a marker for overall <em>H. parviporum</em> resistance. The two <em>H. parviporum</em> strains used in the study showed significantly different necrosis responses from the control. Mycovirus infection in <em>H. parviporum</em> strains led to a significant reduction in lesion width in phloem and sapwood. Furthermore, the growth of the fungus was notably restricted when hyphae hosted mycoviruses, indicating a high potential of mycoviruses to reduce fungal growth and necrosis development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"198 ","pages":"Article 105633"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142441804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Application timing affects the efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki against Tortrix viridana in deciduous oak forests","authors":"Roberto Mannu ,&nbsp;Maurizio Olivieri ,&nbsp;Luca Ruiu ,&nbsp;Giuseppe Serra ,&nbsp;Maria Leonarda Fadda ,&nbsp;Andrea Lentini","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105631","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105631","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The green oak leaf roller moth, <em>Tortrix viridana</em>, is one of the main defoliators of deciduous oaks in the Mediterranean region. Although aerial applications of <em>Btk</em>-based insecticides represent the most effective method to control the larval populations of this pest at a large spatial scale, the optimal time window for sprayings has not yet been defined. Accordingly, experimental trials were conducted in a <em>Quercus pubescens</em> forest district in Sardinia (Italy) involving both large-scale aerial treatments and small-scale applications from the ground. The aim of our work was to study how different larval development stages and/or sprouting phenological phases of the host trees affect <em>Btk</em> efficacy. Aerial sprayings were conducted in 2003 and 2004 in two different areas of about 300 ha, selected according to altitude and exposure to simulate three different application timings against different larval instars and sprouting phenological phases. From-the-ground applications were carried out in 2021 in a <em>Q. pubescens</em> forest stand by applying <em>Btk</em>-based insecticides at different timings, and the overall <em>Q. pubescens</em> phenological stage and the distribution of <em>T. viridana</em> larval development stages were assessed accordingly. The effectiveness of <em>Btk</em> applications was evaluated by estimating larval mortality 7, and 14 days after aerial applications, and 7, 14 and 21 days after ground applications. Defoliation due to <em>T. viridana</em> was also evaluated at the end of larval development in all years. In both 2003 and 2004, the average larval mortality due to <em>Btk</em> exceeded 80 % two weeks after aerial applications across all application timings. Damage caused by <em>T. viridana</em> varied with <em>Btk</em> application timing, with the later applications showing a higher defoliation than other timings. In ground application experiments, larval mortality significantly increased when <em>Btk</em> was sprayed against a larval population primarily composed of IV instars, which were feeding on sprouts with leaves that were spread out and had not fully developed internodes, thus resulting in a significative reduction of insect damage. Our findings indicate that, in accordance with the strict synchrony between the larval development and the oak flushing, the optimal timing for <em>Btk</em> application against <em>T. viridana</em> can be defined based on the bud burst phenological phase. In particular, the prevalence of sprout with expanding leaf surface allowing insecticidal droplet interception and the simultaneous presence of susceptible larval instars (within the IV), resulted in an increased treatment efficacy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"198 ","pages":"Article 105631"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142433481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimization of fermentation conditions for Bacillus velezensis TCS001 and evaluation of its growth promotion and disease prevention effects on strawberries","authors":"Hao Cao ,&nbsp;Zhilei Chen ,&nbsp;Xuesong Li ,&nbsp;Gening Song ,&nbsp;Yuntian Wu ,&nbsp;Jing Jin ,&nbsp;Feng Cui ,&nbsp;Jing Yuan ,&nbsp;Huan Qi ,&nbsp;Jidong Wang ,&nbsp;Jie Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105632","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105632","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Bacillus velezensis</em> TCS001 is a novel biocontrol bacterium with broad-spectrum antifungal activity and plant growth-promoting effects, holding great potential for development in agricultural production. This study optimized the fermentation conditions for <em>B. velezensis</em> TCS001 through single-factor experiments combined with response surface methodology, and developed a formulation for TCS001 suspension concentrate (TCS001-SC). The efficacy of TCS001-SC to promote the growth of strawberries and to prevent and control strawberry anthracnose was evaluated. The optimal liquid fermentation condition for TCS001 was determined to be 2.89 % soluble peanut cake powder, 3.0 % glucose, 3.0 % soluble starch, 0.002 % FePO₄, 0.006 % KCl, 0.6 % NaCl, 0.05 % MgCl₂·6H₂O, 0.3 % K₂HPO₄, 0.15 % KH₂PO₄, 0.05 % CaCO₃, 0.005 % MnSO₄, a working volume of 31 % (77.5 mL/250 mL), a rotation speed of 173 r/min, a cultivation temperature of 28°C, an inoculum volume of 1.0 %, and a pH of 7.0. The 15 L fermenter upscale culture achieved a spore count of 9.46 × 10⁹ CFU/mL, which was 2.01 times the spore count of 4.7 × 10⁹ CFU/mL before optimization, and a preliminary TCS001-SC was developed with the fermented broth as the main component. Agar plate confrontation tests showed that TCS001 had antifungal activity against five types of anthracnose fungi, with inhibition rates ranging from 70.3 % to 87.2 %. TCS001-SC could promote the growth of strawberries and induce a rapid defense enzyme response in their leaves, enhancing the plant's resistance to pathogens. After treatment, individual strawberry plants showed significant increases in the number of leaves, fresh weight of stems and leaves, root fresh weight, leaf area, plant height, and the content of POD, SOD, CAT enzymes, GA, IAA, and ABA compared to the control.Additionally, it shows good prevention and control effects against strawberry anthracnose, with a control efficacy of 60.45% after five spray treatments at a concentration of 2 × 10⁷ CFU/mL, which is not significantly different from the efficacy of commercial microbial agents such as <em>Bacillus subtilis</em> wettable powder, subsequent field trials will be conducted to determine its potential as a microbial pesticide. This study provides important support for the future industrial production and application of the strain TCS001.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"198 ","pages":"Article 105632"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142445260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deconstructing the IOBC tiered method: Are we overestimating the compatibility of pesticides and natural enemies?","authors":"John D. Stark ,&nbsp;John E. Banks","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105630","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105630","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurately estimating the risk of sensitive populations subjected to toxicant disturbances is central to our ability to protect ecosystem services. While the gold standard for assessing risk historically involves static measures such as the LD50 or LC50, more sophisticated approaches have been developed in an attempt to capture more nuanced outcomes. In the 1980s the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) developed a tiered approach to determine the compatibility of pesticides and natural enemies in the context of integrated pest management (IPM). We analyzed the IOBC approach using stage-based matrix models to project population outcomes for four parasitoid species, <em>Diaeretiella rapae</em>, McIntosh, <em>Fopius arisanus</em>, (Sonan), <em>Diachasmimorpha longicaudata</em> Ashmead, <em>Psyttalia fletcheri</em> (Silvestri) and the predator, <em>Coccinella septempunctata L.</em> By imposing mortality levels in matrix models equivalent to those outlined in the IOBC Tier 1 Class 1 (29 %) (harmless) and Class 2 (79 %) (slightly harmful) mortality classes, we explored discrepancies between the IOBC approach and population outcomes generated by these models. Our results highlight that the IOBC Class 1 and 2 levels of mortality are too high to protect many natural enemies from pesticides, setting the stage for unrealistically optimistic views of pesticide compatibility in many cases. Furthermore, a one size fits all approach to protect natural enemies from pesticides does not work because of differences in demographic rates among species which will be less negatively affected by Tier 1 levels of mortality and those that do not reproduce quickly and will thus be more vulnerable to pesticides. Therefore, the IOBC method should be used cautiously if at all, and results should be interpreted with the caveats and pitfalls highlighted here. Results of this study indicate that it is time to reevaluate how we estimate pesticide compatibility with natural enemies and adjust the methods and mortality thresholds based on more realistic measures of toxicity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"198 ","pages":"Article 105630"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142420260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Potential distribution of Acerophagus papayae, a parasitoid of the papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus), across Africa","authors":"Elizabeth A. Finch ,&nbsp;Kris A.G. Wyckhuys ,&nbsp;Ivan Rwomushana","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The papaya mealybug, <em>Paracoccus marginatus</em>, is a highly polyphagous invasive pest that affects at least 133 economically important crops, and causes economic losses worldwide. <em>Acerophagus papayae</em> (Noyes and Schauff), a parasitic wasp, has proven to be a successful biocontrol agent, but its use in Africa is limited. Here, we use a predictive correlative model to explore the potential distribution of <em>A. papayae</em> and relate it to data showing the potential distribution of <em>P. marginatus</em>, to highlight potentially suitable areas for biological control of <em>P. marginatus</em>, for its current distribution, as well as its potential future distribution.</div><div>The resulting model performed well with a test AUC of 0.89. Areas that were highly suitable for <em>P. marginatus</em> and were also suitable for <em>A. papayae</em> were highest across West Africa. Whilst there were areas which were suitable for both species in both East Africa and Central Africa, there were large areas of cropping land which were highly suitable for <em>P. marginatus</em> although not suitable for <em>A. papayae</em>. Across Northern and Southern Africa, there were limited cropping areas which were suitable for <em>P. marginatus</em> and where there was suitability, it was only moderate. Across these areas, there was limited suitability for <em>A. papayae</em>.</div><div>Our results offer refined information on the potential suitability for <em>A. papayae</em> across Africa with the aim to help guide decisions on the areas where use of <em>A. papayae</em> could be used effectively as a part of an integrated pest management programme against <em>P. marginatus</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"198 ","pages":"Article 105628"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142437754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How to control nasty scarabs? Effectiveness of the generalist entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum against garden chafer larvae","authors":"Tanja Graf ,&nbsp;Tabea Koch ,&nbsp;Jürg Enkerli ,&nbsp;Giselher Grabenweger","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105625","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105625","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Several scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae) cause major damage in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry. Especially root feeding scarab larvae cause substantial economic losses on crops, forage plants and recreational areas. In Europe, the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) <em>Beauveria brongniartii</em> and <em>Metarhizium brunneum</em> are applied against the most problematic, native scarabs, the common cockchafer (<em>Melolontha melolontha</em>) and the garden chafer (<em>Phyllopertha horticola</em>). While the control of cockchafer larvae with <em>B. brongniartii</em> is well-researched, conclusive results from field applications for the control of the garden chafer with <em>M. brunneum</em> remain elusive. We therefore assessed the performance of commercially available fungal strains of <em>M. brunneum</em> against garden chafer larvae in pot and large-scale field experiments.</div><div>The application of <em>M. brunneum</em> significantly increased the abundance of fungal propagules in the soil by approximately a factor of ten, irrespective of high levels of naturally occurring <em>Metarhizium</em> spp. Furthermore, the applied strains infected and propagated on the larvae and the mortality of garden chafer larvae was slightly increased due to the fungal treatments. We found three other EPF species frequently infecting garden chafer larvae (mean infection rates: 13–25%), including <em>B. brongniartii</em> which is considered to be a specific pathogen of the cockchafer. Thus, the applied fungal strains were only part of a consortium of natural enemies which reduces garden chafer populations strongly as a whole. Hence, we suggest that the application of EPF may be advisable on areas with reduced natural enemies such as golf courses but is probably redundant on meadows harboring a diverse consortium of antagonists.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"198 ","pages":"Article 105625"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142420261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biocontrol potential of Bevibacillus brevis HK544 for fungal plant diseases","authors":"Bomin Kim ,&nbsp;Yeong Seok Kim ,&nbsp;Jae Woo Han ,&nbsp;Jeong Seon Yu ,&nbsp;Tae Hoon Kim ,&nbsp;Taek Su Shin ,&nbsp;Gyung Ja Choi ,&nbsp;Hun Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105629","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105629","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chemical fungicides have been widely used to control plant diseases caused by fungal pathogens. Still, the overuse of these fungicides has led to concerns about the hazards to humans, animals, and the environment and an increase in fungicide resistance. Interest in biocontrol agents with strong antimicrobial activity has significantly increased to counteract the escalating risks of chemical fungicides. Our previous study found that a soil-born microbe, <em>Brevibacillus brevis</em> HK544, exhibited a promising antifungal activity against a plant pathogen, <em>Fusarium graminearum</em>, with edeine B₁ identified as the active compound. Herein, we extended our study to investigate the <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> antifungal spectrum of <em>B. brevis</em> HK544, including edeine B₁, against various plant pathogenic fungi and evaluated the possibility that <em>B. brevis</em> HK544 could be used in combination with chemical fungicides to enhance the disease control efficacy. With an <em>in vitro</em> broad-spectrum antifungal activity, the <em>B. brevis</em> HK544 culture filtrate, culture broth, and metabolite edeine B₁ exhibited a promising disease control efficacy against tomato gray mold and tomato late blight among the tested fungal diseases. Based on the <em>in vitro</em> antifungal activity against <em>Botrytis cinerea</em>, when edeine B₁ was combined with various chemical fungicides, the highest average synergy score among the tested combinations was observed in the edeine B₁ and benomyl combination. The co-application of the <em>B. brevis</em> HK544 culture filtrate and benomyl improved the disease control efficacy against gray mold disease, supporting the <em>in vitro</em> result. Taken together, our results show that <em>B. brevis</em> HK544 has potential as a biological control agent for controlling plant pathogenic fungi and also that <em>B. brevis</em> HK544 could be combined with chemical fungicides to enhance the efficacy of antifungal agents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"198 ","pages":"Article 105629"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142420257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial: The XVI international symposium on biological control of weeds","authors":"I.D. Paterson ,&nbsp;G.J. Cabrera Walsh","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105623","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105623","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"198 ","pages":"Article 105623"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142357603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}