Aug 2026· Turkish Journal of Agriculture: Food Science and Technology· 0 citations· 102 references
TL;DR
The findings suggest that biological control alone may not satisfy the “zero-insect tolerance” standards required in international grain trade, when integrated with sanitation, physical control measures, pheromone-based monitoring, and advanced application technologies, biological control constitutes a key component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs.
Abstract
Wheat (Triticum spp.), a cornerstone of global food security, experiences substantial qualitative and quantitative losses during post-harvest storage due to insect infestations. Certain species of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera are the main pests that cause both direct weight loss and quality deterioration in stored wheat. Conventional control strategies based on chemical fumigants and residual insecticides are increasingly challenged by residue concerns, environmental risks, and the widespread development of insect resistance. This review synthesizes current knowledge on biological control options against major stored-wheat insect pests, based on studies conducted over the past 25 years, including laboratory, semi-field, and commercial-scale investigations, focusing particularly on parasitoids and entomopathogenic microorganisms. In addition to evaluating existing management approaches, it highlights how short-term climatic fluctuations within storage environments may alter pest prevalence and population density, thereby affecting the performance of biological control agents. By linking biological control strategies with climate-related risk factors, this review provides an integrated perspective for improving stored-product pest management under variable storage conditions. The effectiveness of parasitoids (Anisopteromalus calandrae, Lariophagus distinguendus, Theocolax elegans), predators (e.g., Xylocoris flavipes), and entomopathogenic agents [Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Bacillus thuringiensis, and entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN)] is comparatively assessed. Evidence indicates that preventative early-release strategies of parasitoids can achieve pest suppression exceeding 80%, while entomopathogenic fungi demonstrate enhanced efficacy when combined with inert dust formulations. However, factors such as grain bulk depth, temperature and humidity fluctuations, and the formation of “hot spots” in commercial silos limit the translation of laboratory success into field-scale effectiveness. The findings suggest that biological control alone may not satisfy the “zero-insect tolerance” standards required in international grain trade. Nevertheless, when integrated with sanitation, physical control measures, pheromone-based monitoring, and advanced application technologies, biological control constitutes a key component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. Future integration with artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems, nanotechnological formulations, and biotechnological innovations is expected to strengthen the strategic role of biological control in safeguarding stored wheat.
Simple Summary Fruit mites are among the most damaging pests of apple orchards because they reduce leaf function, fruit quality, and crop yield. Farmers have traditionally relied on chemical pesticides to control these pests, but repeated use has led to pesticide resistance, environmental concerns, and negative effects on beneficial organisms. This review explains how sustainable management can be achieved by combining biological, chemical, and cultural control methods within Integrated Pest Management, an approach that reduces pesticide use while maintaining effective pest control. Particular attention is given to natural enemies, resistance management, and environmentally friendly practices that improve long-term orchard health. The review also highlights current challenges and research needs in Southeastern Kazakhstan, one of the major apple-growing regions and the center of origin of the wild apple (Malus sieversii). In addition, new technologies such as digital monitoring and precision agriculture are discussed as promising tools for future pest management. This review provides practical information that may help researchers, agricultural specialists, and apple growers develop more sustainable and environmentally responsible strategies for managing fruit mites.
Assel A Karabayeva, B. Kopzhasarov, Gulnar K. Ziyaeva et al.· Insects· 0 citations
In the context of food security, the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.,) is one of the most important staple crops for human consumption, being the third most important one after food grains and oilseeds. Although potato is an agronomic and nutritional important crop, potato production and post-harvest preservation are significantly challenged by biotic factors and among them, Fusarium dry rot is considered as a highly destructive post-harvest disease. Dry rot is caused by a complex of Fusarium soil and tuber borne fungi which cause significant economic losses during storage, transit and seed multiplication, sometimes reducing up to 60% of the total harvest in long-term storage. Synthetic chemical fungicides have been traditionally used by management. This high-intensity chemical approach is now being called into doubt however, because of the ability of pathogen strains to rapidly become fungicide resistant, environmental toxicity, chemical residue in food and the global regulatory ban on the use of conventional synthetic fungicides. Biological control with microbial antagonists is an environmentally safe, very successful approach to synthetic chemistry. Of the various types of biological control agents (BCAs), the filamentous fungus, Trichoderma asperellum and the endospore-forming bacterium, Bacillus subtilis have proven to be particularly promising. They have a variety of multi-targeted mechanisms of action such as direct mycoparasitism, competition for nutrients and space, inhibition by a wide range of volatile organic compounds and non-ribosomal antimicrobial metabolites produced. Importantly, these BCAs also trigger systemic resistance (ISR) responses in the potato host, which activate the plant's innate defence mechanisms to resist the next attack. This review gives an overview of the biological control of potato dry rot caused by Fusarium species, including the taxonomy and epidemiology of the pathogens; details the molecular and biochemical mechanism of action of T. asperellum and B. subtilis; and investigates the synergistic effects of their co-cultivation and consortium formulations. Lastly, we discuss physiological, formulation and environmental factors that affect the efficiency of biocontrol; we list the existing challenges for commercialization and registration of biopesticides and forecast a future scenario where synthetic biotechnology, nanotechnology, CRISPR-based strain engineering and AI-based screening platforms will form the cornerstone of robust, climate-friendly biopesticide systems.
Maryam Saleem, Abdul Latif, Muhammad Hamza Shahid et al.· International Journal of Sci...· 0 citations
Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is one of the world’s most important fibre crops, yet its sustainability is increasingly challenged by evolving pest complexes, intensified pesticide use, climate change and climate variability. The evidence indicates current knowledge on pest dynamics, pesticide dependence and ecological interactions in cotton agroecosystems, highlighting the shift from bollworm-dominated pest complexes to the increasing prevalence of secondary pests following the widespread adoption of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton. Although Bt (Cry toxin)-based transgenic cotton technology initially reduced insecticide use against the bollworm complex, primarily lepidopteran species, the emergence of resistance among bollworms and the upsurge of certain sucking pests in recent decades have reinstated insecticide dependence for pest management. This has led to ecological imbalance, non-target toxicity, the decline of pollinator populations and natural enemy communities, biodiversity loss, environmental contamination, accumulation of residues in products and yield challenges, in addition to increased production costs. The review emphasises the critical role of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that integrate biological control, habitat diversification, resistant cultivars and threshold-based pesticide applications to restore ecological stability. Alternative approaches such as botanical pesticides, nanoformulations and plant volatile-mediated pest regulation are highlighted as promising tools for sustainable pest control. Advances in precision agriculture, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based pesticide delivery systems, have the potential to improve pest surveillance and reduce chemical inputs. Supply-chain procurement, certification, traceability and consumer demand can encourage lower-pesticide production, although these mechanisms require fair price incentives to avoid transferring compliance costs to smallholders. Sustainable cotton therefore requires region-specific, climate-resilient, evidence-based IPM supported by extension, market incentives, resistance monitoring and coordinated policy.
V. Veeragowtham, A. Suganthi, M. Murugan et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is an important vegetable crop cultivated widely in tropical and subtropical regions, with India contributing the largest share of global production. Among the major arthropod pests affecting okra, the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, causes serious economic losses by reducing plant growth, fruit quality, and marketable yield. Effective management of this pest requires an integrated strategy that combines host plant resistance, biological control, cultural practices, judicious use of acaricides, and timely advisory support to farmers. This review critically examines published research on the biology, host range, damage potential, resistance mechanisms, and management approaches for T. urticae in okra. Particular emphasis is placed on integrated pest management (IPM), the role of agricultural extension services, digital advisory systems, and precision agriculture technologies in promoting sustainable mite management. The review also identifies existing research gaps, including the need for standardized resistance-screening methods, economic threshold levels, resistance monitoring, and climate-resilient management strategies. Strengthening collaboration among researchers, extension agencies, and farming communities will be essential for improving the adoption of scientifically validated practices and ensuring sustainable okra production under changing climatic conditions. The findings presented in this review may assist researchers, extension professionals, and policymakers in designing sustainable mite-management programmes suitable for diverse agro-ecological conditions.
S. Singh, Kaushal Kumar Pandey, Vishal Yadav et al.· International Journal of Env...· 0 citations
It is demonstrated that endophytic fungi possess significant potential as sustainable biological control agents in fruit production systems, highlighting the need to develop standardized models, validate their efficacy under field conditions, and conduct studies focused on the commercial scalability of EF-based management strategies.
Pablo Parra-Verdugo, Daniel Martínez-Cisterna, Ignacio Matamala et al.· Applied Sciences· 0 citations
The management of stored grain pests is still highly dependent on the use of synthetic pesticides. However, concerns about possible contamination and the emergence of insect resistance are encouraging the search for safer control alternatives. Among these alternatives, diatomaceous earth (DE) has been drawing attention lately for causing various effects on pest insects, thus reducing the economic losses caused by these organisms in storage units. Different species of pest insects are negatively affected when exposed to DE, and a better understanding of the action of DE on different insects (e.g., susceptibility differences and behavioral differences) is necessary in order to establish and apply appropriate management strategies. Given the above, the present study takes an approach with investigations aimed at better understanding the differences in the lethal and sublethal effects of DE in two important stored pests, Sitophilus zeamais (M.) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). In the first chapter we examined different effects of insects when exposed to DE-treated maize grains. Our results showed that survival, population growth rate and other factors (e.g., walking behavior, preference, grain intake, oviposition, etc.) are affected by exposure to DE. In addition, we verified differences in susceptibility of the studied species in which DE is more effective in controlling S. zeamais. In the second chapter we intensified the study of S. zeamais and S. oryzae exposure to DE now using treated rice grains and also evaluated the effect of sublethal exposure in male and female as well as the persistence of DE action. In addition to causing mortality and walking impairments, we observed that sublethal exposure to DE can cause harm to offspring and that sublethally exposed females appear to be more affected. Again, the S. zeamais species was more susceptible to DE. Thus, in the third chapter we sought to examine possible differences in the morphology, location, distribution and abundance of sensilla associated with the antennae and legs of S. zeamais and S. oryzae males and females. Some differences in sensilla length were observed for sex and species. Moreover, important interspecific differences were found for certain types of sensillae that were more abundant in S. oryzae and often were also more present in males. Overall, the results showed that DE is an efficient alternative for controlling Sitophilus spp., not only causing satisfactory weevil mortality,but also affecting other behaviors (e.g., walking, feeding, reproductive behavior, etc.). damage to the activity and development of these pests. Despite the effects on both species and although more experimentation is required, the most efficient results of DE in S. zeamais may be due to several factors such as the morphological differences found in the sensilla of the different species of Sitophilus spp. studied here, differences in responses and behavior of these species. Keywords: inert dust; grain storage; integrated pest management.
K. D. D. S. Ferreira· 0 citations
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