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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Effective soil management has been accepted as essential for obtaining high crop yields. The expansion of monoculture, in addition to the excessive usage of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, leads to soil biota disequilibrium. Many researchers have observed that fertility practices improving soil macro- and microbiota diversity enhances plant health and crop protection. Several cultural practices such as cover crops, crop rotation, and landscape management can contribute to increasing soil biota diversity. Recent research links soil microbiota in the rhizosphere to aboveground pests and diseases, as well as pest and beneficial arthropod interactions since they can change the chemical composition of the plants, stimulating the synthesis of plant defense compounds. Soil microbiota diversity also contributes to plants overcoming climatic change. Therefore, we currently face the challenge of conserving and enhancing soil macro- and microbiota in agroecosystems.

Original research articles, review articles, and short communications on these subjects including, but not limited to, the following topics, are all welcomed:

Practices improving soil macro- and microbiota;
Promotion of plant defense mechanisms by soil biota;
Endophytic fungi, and mycorrhizae, and bacteria interactions with herbivorous and beneficial insects;
Fertilization and soil biota;
Fertilization and pest and disease control;
Cover crops, crop rotation, and soil biota;
Landscape management and soil macro and microbiota;
Soil biota and climate change tolerance.

Prof. Dr. Elisabete Figueiredo
Dr. Maria Pappas
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

plant defense
endophytes
mycorrhizae
PGPR
endophytic entomopathogenic fungi
cover crops/crop rotation and soil biota

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 561 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fertilizer Effects on Endosperm Physicochemical Properties and Resistance to Larger Grain Borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), in Malawian Local Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties: Potential for Utilization of Ca and Mg Nutrition

by Ephantus Nguma, Chandiona Munthali, Daiki Murayama, Kazumitsu Onishi, Masahiko Mori, Rintaro Kinoshita, Shinji Yamashita, Mikio Kinoshita, Masayuki Tani, Mari Palta, Jiwan P. Palta, Hiroshi Koaze and Daigo Aiuchi

Agronomy 2022, 12(1), 46; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12010046 - 26 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2959

Abstract

Maize grain hardness influences storage pest resistance, a key characteristic valued by smallholder farmers. The structural changes in the endosperm determine grain hardness and are influenced by agronomic practices. The purpose of this study was to establish whether supply of calcium and magnesium based fertilizers can alter physicochemical properties of local and hybrid maize varieties and reduce the infestation by larger grain borer (Prostephanus truncatus (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)) during storage. Two local and one hybrid maize varieties commonly grown by smallholder farmers in Malawi were cultivated under three fertilizer treatments (NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium), NPK plus gypsum, and NPK plus dolomite). After harvest, the grains were classified into flint and dent types, followed by P. truncatus infestation and determination of their physicochemical properties. The addition of gypsum and dolomite fertilizers led to higher levels of amylose, total zein and β-14 zein, traits associated with kernel hardness, compared to the application of NPK fertilizer. Moreover, local maize varieties showed higher resistance to P. truncatus infestation, hardness and biochemical properties associated with hardness (total zein, α-19 and β-14 zein, starch lysophosphatidylcholine, and non-starch free fatty acid) compared to hybrid variety. Our study suggests the potential for utilizing Ca and Mg nutrition in maize to improve kernel hardness, thus adoption of gypsum and dolomite by smallholder farmers may be beneficial against P. truncatus during storage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Management: Implications for Pest and Disease Control)

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Review

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13 pages, 846 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Prospective Biocontrol Agents and Sustainable Soil Practices for Bulb Mite (Acari: Acaridae) Management

by Eric Palevsky, Jana Konopická, Diana Rueda-Ramírez and Rostislav Zemek

Agronomy 2022, 12(7), 1491; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12071491 - 22 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2408

Abstract

Mites of the genus Rhizoglyphus (Acari: Acaridae) are serious pests of plants belonging to the orders Liliales and Asparagales such as onions, garlic, lilies, and tulips. Their control by synthetic pesticides is becoming problematic as a result of resistance development in these mites and environmental and health issues. New pest control methods thus need to be developed. This review provides an overview of studies related to bulb mite management. Entomopathogenic fungi and generalist predatory mites are prospective agents for biological control of these pests while entomopathogenic nematodes and the metabolites of their symbiotic bacteria seems to be less effective. There are, however, many more organisms in the soil that might play important roles in biological control of bulb mites as well as other soil pests of these bulbous plants. Therefore, a holistic approach based on the understanding of food webs in the soil environment and their ecological services is essential for developing effective control of bulb mites. For the rehabilitation and conservation of soil biodiversity supporting these ecosystem services, emphasis must be placed on sustainable soil management (e.g., ensuring green coverage, minimal soil disturbance and high content of organic matter). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Management: Implications for Pest and Disease Control)

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