Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control 

About: Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control is an academic journal published by Springer Nature. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Biology & Beauveria bassiana. It has an ISSN identifier of 1110-1768. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 1356 publications have been published receiving 7445 citations. The journal is also known as: Maǧallaẗ al-ǧam’iyyaẗ al-miṣriyyaẗ lil-mokāfaḥẗ al-bīūlūgiyyaẗ lil-āfaāt.

Biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using Trichoderma longibrachiatum and their effect on phytopathogenic fungi

Abstract: An efficient biosynthesis process for the rapid production of nanoparticles would enable the development of a “microbial nanotechnology” for mass-scale production. In the present research, biological silver nanoparticle was synthesized extracellularly by using the fungus, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, where the cell filtrate of the fungus was used as a reducing and stabilizing agent in the process of nanoparticle synthesis. Different physical parameters such as fungal biomass concentration (1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g), temperature (25, 28, and 33 °C), incubation time (0–120 h), and agitation (shaken or not shaken) were investigated, in order to determine the optimal conditions for nanoparticle biosynthesis. The stability and antifungal properties of the synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were also determined. Data revealed that a combination of 10 g fungal biomass, a reaction temperature of 28 °C, a 72-h incubation time, and without shaking were the optimum conditions for the synthesis of the silver nanoparticles. Visual observation of brown color is an indication of silver nanoparticle production. UV–vis spectroscopy showed maximum absorption at 385 nm with the optimum conditions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the formation of monodispersed spherical shape with a mean diameter of 10 nm. Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) showed bands at1634.92 and 3269.31 cm−1. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) supported that the Z-average size was 24.43 and 0.420 PdI value. Zeta potential showed − 19.7 mV with a single peak. The AgNPs synthesized through this biosystem approach were relatively stable up to 2 months after synthesis. The use of AgNPs as antifungal led to significant reductions in the number of forming colonies for many plant pathogenic fungi, with efficiencies reaching up to 90% against Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium moniliforme, Penicillium brevicompactum, Helminthosporium oryzae, and Pyricularia grisea. However, further research should be carried out in order to determine the toxic effect of AgNPs before mass production and use of agricultural applications.

Fungal and bacterial nematicides in integrated nematode management strategies

Abstract: Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) pose a serious threat to quantitative and qualitative production of many economic crops worldwide. An average worldwide crop loss of 12.6% (equaled $215.77 billion) annually has been estimated due to these nematodes for only the top 20 life-sustaining crops. Due to the growing dissatisfaction with hazards of chemical nematicides, interest in microbial control of PPNs is increasing and biological nematicides are becoming an important component of environmentally friendly management systems. Fungal and bacterial nematicides rank high among other biocontrol agents. In order to maximize their benefits, such bio-nematicides can be included in integrated nematode management (INM) programs, and ways that make them complimentary or superior to chemical nematode management methods were highlighted. This is especially important where bio-nematicides can act synergistically or additively with other agricultural inputs in integrated pest management programs. Consolidated use of bio-nematicides and other pesticides should be practiced on a wider basis. This is especially important, since there are many bio-nematicides which are or are likely to become widely available soon. Identification of research priorities for harnessing fungal and bacterial nematicides in sustainable agriculture as well as understanding of their ecology, biology, mode of action, and interaction with other agricultural inputs is still needed. Therefore, accessible fungal and bacterial nematicides with their comprehensive references and relevant information, i.e., the active ingredient, product name, type of formulation, producer, targeted nematode species and crop, and country of origin, are summarized herein.

Global distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema and Heterorhabditis

Abstract: Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the families’ Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae are obligate insect parasites. Their easy multiplication, broad host range, compatibility with chemical pesticides, and ease in application has grabbed interest among research practitioners to work on these beneficial microorganisms. Till date, around 100 valid species of Steinernema and 21 species of Heterorhabditis have been identified from different countries of the world. Extensive surveys have been conducted across the globe to isolate locally adapted EPN species and exploit them to suppress soil-dwelling and foliar insect pests in agricultural fields. Most of the new species have been described from Asia, whereas research in some Asian countries are still at infancy. Some new species have been recorded from Australia but very few surveys have been conducted in New Zealand. Likewise, less information about these tiny creatures is from Central America; however, in North America many new species have been described, some of which have been commercialized for insect pest control, whereas in South America, several native nematode species have been described and exploited as biological control agents. European countries have also been explored for EPN diversity and new species have been reported, exploited under field condition, and commercialized. Many new species and other previously described species have been reported from Africa. Despite frequent surveys in different continents of the world, number of sites touched are low and, therefore, further surveys are still needed to explore untouched geographic areas and climatic conditions, both in plantations and indigenous forests with an aim to identify and exploit additional EPN species.

Trichoderma: a beneficial antifungal agent and insights into its mechanism of biocontrol potential

Abstract: Agriculture is an indispensable part of any country to feed the millions of people but it is under constant threat of pests. To protect the crops from this huge yield loss recently, chemical pesticides are used. Though chemical pesticides have shown effective results in killing the crop pests, it causes negative impact on the environment as well as humans. So to find an eco-friendly alternative, biological control methods are being used. Biological control is a great renaissance of interest and research in microbiological balance to control soil-borne plant pathogens and leads to the development of a better farming system. In biological control, genus Trichoderma serves as one of the best bioagents, which is found to be effective against a wide range of soil and foliar pathogens. Genus Trichoderma is a soil inhabiting green filamentous fungus, which belongs to the division Ascomycota. The efficacy of Trichoderma depends on many abiotic parameters such as soil pH, water retention, temperature and presence of heavy metals. The biocontrol potential of Trichoderma spp. is due to their complex interaction with plant pathogens either by parasitizing them, secreting antibiotics or by competing for space and nutrients. During mycoparasitic interactions, production of hydrolytic enzymes such as glucanase, chitinase and protease and also signalling pathways are initiated by Trichoderma spp. and the important ones are Heterotrimeric G protein, MAP kinase and cAMP pathway. G protein and MAPK are mainly involved in secretion of antifungal metabolites and the formation of infection structures. cAMP pathway helps in the condition and coiling of Trichoderma mycelium on pathogenic fungi and inhibits their proliferation. Trichoderma being an efficient biocontrol agent, their characteristics and mechanisms should be well understood to apply them in field conditions to restrict the proliferation of phytopathogens.

Genetically engineered (modified) crops (Bacillus thuringiensis crops) and the world controversy on their safety

Abstract: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops are plants genetically engineered (modified) to contain the endospore (or crystal) toxins of the bacterium, Bt to be resistant to certain insect pests. In 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in USA approved the commercial production and distribution of the Bt crops: corn, cotton, potato, and tobacco. Currently, the most common Bt crops are corn and cotton. The crystal, referred to as Cry toxins, is proteins formed during sporulation of some Bt strains and aggregate to form crystals. Such Cry toxins are toxic to specific species of insects belongs to orders: Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, and Nematoda. In 2016, the total world area cultivated with genetically modified crops (GM crops) reached about 185 million ha. This review shows that there is a worldwide controversy about the safety of Bt crops to the environment and mammals. Some researchers support the cultivation of Bt crops depending upon the results of their laboratory and field studies on the safety of such crops. Others, however, are against Bt crops as they may cause risk to human.