Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Monica Novljan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Author-Name: Tanja Bohinc Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Author-Name: Stanislav Trdan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Title: The cultural control of some important pests in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.) using companion plants Abstract: Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.) are two of the most important vegetables in the world, and many insect pests are a problem in their production. Currently, especially in Europe, restrictions on the use of pesticides are increasingly being encouraged, so the need to find and use alternative methods is increasingly urgent. Cultural control of insect pests using companion plants, including cover crops, intercrops, and trap crops, has been proven to help manage these insect pests. Companion plants reduce plant insects primarily by disrupting host-seeking activity, disrupting oviposition, increasing the plant's natural enemies, or luring the pests to alternative food sources. This review outlines successful examples from around the world of the use of companion crops in controlling insect pests, focusing on the main pests of cabbage and onions in Europe. Details regarding the working mechanism of each of the three companion plants are discussed further in this article. We concluded that these companion plant tree forms effectively reduce the number of generalist and specialist plant pests attacking cabbage and onion. Keywords: cabbage pests, onion pests, cover crops, cultural pest control, intercrops, trap crops Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 1-26 Volume: 62 Issue: 1 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/161/2024-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/161/2024-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202601-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:1:id:161-2024-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Alnura Tursunova Author-Workplace-Name: Kazakh Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine named after Zh.Zhiembayev, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author-Name: Ainura Adilkhankyzy Author-Workplace-Name: Kazakh Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine named after Zh.Zhiembayev, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author-Name: Shyryn Turbekova Author-Workplace-Name: Kazakh Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine named after Zh.Zhiembayev, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author-Name: Ulzhalgas Abylayeva Author-Workplace-Name: Kazakh Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine named after Zh.Zhiembayev, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author-Name: Ainaz Balabek Author-Workplace-Name: Kazakh Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine named after Zh.Zhiembayev, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author-Name: Alibek Uspanov Author-Workplace-Name: Kazakh Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine named after Zh.Zhiembayev, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author-Name: Bakhytzhan Duisembekov Author-Workplace-Name: Kazakh Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine named after Zh.Zhiembayev, Almaty, Kazakhstan Title: Molecular characterisation and screening for сry genes of native Bacillus thuringiensis strains from Kazakhstan Abstract: The current study aimed to characterise indigenous Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains for their potential use in agricultural broad-spectrum pest control. Twenty-nine Bt strains were isolated from soil in southeastern Kazakhstan. All isolates were Gram-positive and formed endospores. Species identification was conducted by sequencing the gyrase B (gyrB) gene. The nucleotide sequences of the amplified gyrB gene regions were compared with those in the NCBI database, confirming that the isolates were native Bt strains with high homology to known Bt strains (99-100%). In addition, the strains were screened for the presence of genes encoding 11 different crystalline endotoxins using PCR with universal primer pairs. The PCR results showed the distribution frequencies of cry, cyt, and vip genes among the strains: cry1 (100%), vip3 (100%), cry2 (83.3%), cry4 (20%), and cyt1 (30%). PCR revealed diverse gene profiles among the Bt strains, with 5 distinct profiles identified. Regarding insecticidal activity, strains Bt8, Bt11, Bt26, and Bt28 demonstrated high pathogenicity, with mortality rates ranging from 97% to 100% against codling moth caterpillars, outperforming other Bt isolates. Keywords: biological control, insecticidal activity, local strains, identification, endotoxins profiling, gyrB, PCR-screening Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 27-35 Volume: 62 Issue: 1 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/116/2024-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/116/2024-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202601-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:1:id:116-2024-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mirosława Cieślińska Author-Workplace-Name: The National Institute of Horticultural Research, Plant Protection Department, Skierniewice, Poland Author-Name: Ewa Hennig Author-Workplace-Name: Main Inspectorate of Plant Heath and Seed Inspection, Central Laboratory, Toruń, Poland Title: Characterisation of strawberry mild yellow edge virus isolates detected for the first time in Poland Abstract: Strawberry mild yellow edge virus (SMYEV) was detected in 116 samples out of 423 collected from strawberry plants grown in commercial and experimental plantations in seven provinces of Poland. The number of samples infected with strawberry mottle virus (SMoV) accounted for 84.6% of the 26 SMYEV-positive samples selected for sequence analysis. The nucleotide sequence similarity of the coat protein (CP) gene of 26 selected SMYEV isolates ranged from 84.8% to 100%, and 81.4-99.5% identity was found between these isolates and 48 SMYEV strains from different countries. The CP region's phylogenetic analysis showed that most isolates from Poland clustered within group I (type D74). In contrast, Talis and 3233CL isolates represented group III (type MY18), and the San isolate was clustered in group V (type ABY1-01). Recombination analysis of the CP gene sequences detected two possible recombination events. One was noticed in the Argentinian strain 53, which formed group III with isolates from Chile, and Polish isolates Talis and 3233CL. Another was identified in the Chinese strain sy02 sequence with evidence of the same recombination event in Canadian strains, and the Polish isolate San (V group). Leaf epinasty, mottling, and yellowing of the young leaves and dieback of the older leaves were observed on Fragaria vesca 'Alpine' and 'EMC' indicator plants grafted with leaves of strawberry plants co-infected with SMYEV and SMoV. A single infection with SMYEV induced milder symptoms based on these indicators.  Keywords: Fragaria, SMYEV, SMoV, SCrV, SVBV, sequence analysis, phylogeny, recombination, diversity Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 36-46 Volume: 62 Issue: 1 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/6/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202601-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:1:id:6-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Abdul Wali Haqyar Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Shimane University, Matsue, Japan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shaikh Zayed University, Khost, Afghanistan Author-Name: Masatoshi Ino Author-Workplace-Name: The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan Author-Name: Naoto Kimura Author-Workplace-Name: The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan Author-Name: Takumi Okido Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Shimane University, Matsue, Japan Author-Name: Junichi Kihara Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Shimane University, Matsue, Japan Author-Workplace-Name: The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan Author-Name: Makoto Ueno Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Shimane University, Matsue, Japan Author-Workplace-Name: The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan Title: Biological activity of Paenibacillus polymyxa GT2 isolate from soil in Japan against anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum orbiculare in cucumber Abstract: Cucumber anthracnose is a destructive fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum orbiculare. Common control strategies include chemical fungicides. However, this can lead to the development of pathogenic resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to identify natural compounds or microorganisms to develop new chemicals and the biological control of fungal pathogens. Isolate GT2, a bacterial isolate from soil samples collected in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, significantly inhibited in vitro mycelial growth and conidial germination of C. orbiculare, indicating a fungicidal effect against this pathogen. Furthermore, anthracnose lesion formation was significantly suppressed without phytotoxicity when cucumber leaves were pretreated with a cell culture suspension of the isolate GT2 before inoculation with C. orbiculare. Bioautography of the culture filtrate (CF) of the isolate GT2 using thin-layer chromatography showed that the compound inhibiting C. orbiculare growth had an Rf value of 0.38. The effective compound in GT2-CF was ethyl acetate insoluble and heat-stable at 121 °C and has a molecular weight larger than 1 000 Da. In conclusion, Paenibacillus polymyxa GT2 demonstrated the potential for developing a new fungicide and biological agent against anthracnose disease caused by C. orbiculare. Keywords: biological control, disease control, fungicidal activity, inhibitory compound Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 47-57 Volume: 62 Issue: 1 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/104/2024-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/104/2024-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202601-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:1:id:104-2024-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Riska Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Horticulture, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Cibinong, Indonesia Author-Name: Tri Budiyanti Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Horticulture, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Cibinong, Indonesia Author-Name: Jumjunidang Jumjunidang Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Horticulture, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Cibinong, Indonesia Author-Name: Sri Hadiati Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Horticulture, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Cibinong, Indonesia Author-Name: Raden Heru Praptana Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Food Crops, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Cibinong, Indonesia Author-Name: Mizu Istianto Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Horticulture, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Cibinong, Indonesia Author-Name: Nurmansyah Nurmansyah Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Horticulture, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Cibinong, Indonesia Author-Name: Herwita Idris Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Horticulture, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Cibinong, Indonesia Title: Isolation and characterisation of pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi associated with avocado plants showing dieback symptoms in Indonesia Abstract: The avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is a high value fruit crop in Indonesia. This exotic commodity is affected by dieback disease, an unrecorded disease in the country that threatens the production. The objectives of the present study were to characterise the pathogen and culturable non-pathogenic fungi associated with the dieback disease of avocado plants. Fungal isolates were collected from branches of avocados showing dieback symptom in the Standard and Instrument Tropical Fruit Applied Institute (SITFAI) experimental orchards during 2022-2023. A total of 17 fungal isolates selected from 73 fungal isolates isolated from three location were characterised morphologically, molecularly, phylogenetically, and by pathogenicity tests. The fungal isolates were tested for their pathogenicity to the local variety of avocado with two stages and three replications. The identification of the fungal species was conducted on the morphological characteristics and molecular analysis obtained from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the 28S region of the ribosomal DNA, and translation elongation factor 1 (TEF1). The results revealed that the artificial inoculation of Avo7 and Avo3.2 isolates, identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae, caused necrosis and wilt symptoms on the avocado seedlings. Several fungal species from the Botryosphaeriaceae, Eurotiomycetes, and Sordariomycetes groups were found alongside the pathogen responsible for causing the dieback symptoms in the avocados. The most frequently isolated genera were fast growing, Botryosphaeriaceae (58.9%), followed by Penicillium spp. (20.5%), Pestalotiopsis spp. (15.1%) and Colletotrichum spp. (5.4%). The information in this article should be used as new insights about the incidence of dieback disease caused by L. theobromae and proper management strategies against dieback disease on avocado need to be developed. Keywords: Persea americana Mill., Lasiodiplodia theobromae, avocado dieback, fungal disease Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 58-70 Volume: 62 Issue: 1 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/139/2024-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/139/2024-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202601-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:1:id:139-2024-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Randa Milk Author-Workplace-Name: Salama Lab, Higher School of Saharan Agriculture - El Oued, El Oued, Algeria Author-Name: Yasmina Kherbouche Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Kasdi-Merbah, Ouargla, Algeria Author-Name: Salim Meddour Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratoire Valorisation et Conservation des Ecosystèmes Arides (LVCEA), Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie et Sciences de la Terre, Université de Ghardaïa, Ghardaïa, Algeria Author-Name: Abdallah Aouadi Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratoire de Conservation des Zones Humides, Université 8 mai 1945, Guelma, Algeria Author-Workplace-Name: Département de biologie, Faculté des Sciences Naturelles et de la Vie, Université Chadli Benjedid, El Tarf, Algeria Author-Name: Makhlouf Sekour Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Kasdi-Merbah, Ouargla, Algeria Author-Name: Khawaja G. Rasool Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Abdulrahman Saad Aldawood Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Title: Occurrence of the white cochineal Parlatoria blanchardi in the fur of the black rat and potential risks for its spread to the date palm stands Abstract: The current study presents the first documented interaction between the date palm scale insect (Parlatoria blanchardi) and the black rats (Rattus rattus). For a year, this study investigated whether R. rattus could serve as a means of phoresy for the survival of P. blanchardi and the potential risks associated with its spread to date palm stands. Our research revealed a prevalence rate of P. blanchardi on R. rattus of 5.79% during the year, while a higher rate of 9.33% was observed during a specific five-month period. The mean infestation intensity was 3.39 parasites/rat during these five months. Statistical data revealed a highly significant difference in the distribution of the three age classes of P. blanchardi among the age categories of R. rattus (χ2 = 62.067, df = 24, P = 3.244e-05). Furthermore, rat age classes differed significantly in their P. blanchardi infestation levels (χ2 = 18.246, df = 3, P = < 0.001). The Negative Binomial Mixed Model showed a significant positive effect of temperature [(generalised linear mixed-effects models (GLMM): z (estimate/standard error) = 3.13, P < 0.01)] and sex (male) (GLMM: z = 2.22, P < 0.001) on insect abundance. These findings suggest that black rats may represent a previously unknown form of phoresy for the survival of the date palm scale insect, emphasising the need for further research to investigate this novel ecological interaction and its potential implications for pest management. Keywords: Rattus rattus, phoresy, date palm scale, palm grove, Algeria Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 71-78 Volume: 62 Issue: 1 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/156/2024-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/156/2024-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202601-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:1:id:156-2024-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nor Atirah Mohd Aridi Author-Workplace-Name: School of Agriculture Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia Author-Name: Nornasuha Yusoff Author-Workplace-Name: School of Agriculture Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia Author-Name: Muhd Arif Shaffiq Sahrir Author-Workplace-Name: School of Agriculture Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia Author-Name: Kamalrul Azlan Azizan Author-Workplace-Name: Metabolomics Research Laboratory, Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia Title: Allelopathic potential of Turnera subulata leaf extract on choy sum (Brassica chinensis var. parachinensis) via untargeted metabolomics Abstract: Allelopathic plants release phytotoxic compounds that contribute to their invasiveness by suppressing nearby species. However, it remains unclear which exact mode of action (MOA) underlies the allelopathy. This study explores the allelopathic mechanisms of Turnera subulata on the recipient indicator plant choy sum using a metabolomics approach. Briefly, T. subulata leaf aqueous extracts (LAEs) at different concentrations (0.0, 0.1, 1.0, 10.0, 50.0, and 100.0 mg/mL) were sprayed at 100 mL/m2 on choy sum seedlings at the two to three leaf stage. After 21 days, the Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) values and photosynthetic pigments of the exposed choy sum were measured, and their metabolites were subjected to a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analysis. The results revealed a 25% decrease in the SPAD, a reduction of 65% (chl a) and 71% (chl b), and a 45% reduction in the stomatal length at 100 mg/mL. A total of 15 significant metabolites (P < 0.05) with variables important for the projection score exceeding 1 (VIP > 1) were selected as the important biomarkers. These metabolites were identified as amino acids, carbohydrates, and fatty acids. The findings reveal the allelopathic potential of T. subulata and provide insights into the response of choy sum in response to the allelopathic activity of T. subulata LAEs. Keywords: allelopathy, aqueous extract, GC-MS analysis, metabolites, pathway analysis Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 79-92 Volume: 62 Issue: 1 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/148/2024-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/148/2024-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202601-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:1:id:148-2024-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Editorial Office Title: List of Reviewers - 2025 Journal: Plant Protection Science Number: 0 Volume: 62 Issue: 1 Year: 2026 File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/pps-202601-0008_list-of-reviewers-8211-2025.php File-Format: text/html Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:1:id:pps-202601-0008