Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Thamaraikannan Sivakumar Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Biotechnology, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India Author-Name: Sunilkumar Devanathan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Biotechnology, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India Author-Name: Parthasarathi Ganesan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India Author-Name: Kavithamani Duraisamy Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Millets, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India Author-Name: Murugan Marimuthu Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Entomology, Centre for Plant Protection Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India Author-Name: Vellaikumar Sampathrajan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Biotechnology, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India Author-Name: Karthikeyan Adhimoolam Author-Workplace-Name: Subtropical Horticulture Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju, South Korea Author-Name: Senthil Natesan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India Title: Flavonoids as bio-insecticides: Harnessing plant metabolites as a biochemical shield against insects Abstract: The global decline in crop production poses a significant threat to food security, particularly in the context of a growing human population. Among various environmental constraints on agriculture, biotic stress, particularly that caused by insect pests, remains a major reason for yield losses. Traditionally, synthetic pesticides have been used to manage insect infestations; however, their excessive and non-targeted application has raised serious concerns regarding environmental pollution, adverse health effects, and the accelerated development of pesticide-resistant pest populations. In this context, plant-derived biocactive compounds, particularly flavonoids, have emerged as promising bioinsecticides due to their potent insecticidal properties. Flavonoids, a diverse group of secondary metabolites found abundantly in plants, exhibit strong insecticidal activity by disrupting insect digestion, interfering with nutrient absorption, and inhibiting growth and metamorphosis. These bioactive compounds act through multiple mechanisms, reducing the likelihood of resistance development while offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical pesticides. Additionally, flavonoids contribute to integrated pest management strategies by enhancing plant defence responses and synergising with other bioinsecticides. Despite their potential, research on flavonoid-based insect control remains limited, particularly in terms of their formulation, stability, and large-scale applicability. Further studies are needed to investigate their interactions with insect physiology, optimise delivery methods, and assess their environmental impact. Advancing flavonoid-based bioinsecticides can contribute significantly to sustainable pest management in modern agriculture, reducing dependence on synthetic pesticides while preserving ecosystem balance. This review examines the potential role of flavonoids as biopesticides in pest management, highlighting the existing research gaps and prospects. Keywords: crop protection, plant defense, secondary metabolites, sustainable agriculture Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 191-209 Volume: 62 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/56/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/56/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202603-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:3:id:56-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Raghavi Gnanasekaran Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India Author-Name: Lakshmi Narayanan Subramanian Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India Author-Name: Gunasekaran Mahalingam Author-Workplace-Name: Director of Research, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India Author-Name: Raveendran Muthurajan Author-Workplace-Name: Director of Research, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India Author-Name: Sudha Manickam Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India Author-Name: Senthil Alagarswamy Author-Workplace-Name: 5Department of Crop Physiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India Author-Name: Manoharan Solaisamy Author-Workplace-Name: 6Agricultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu, India Title: Herbicide resistant grain sorghum: Opportunities and challenges Abstract: Focus on impoverished crops for sustainable food and nutritional security, especially sorghum, becomes increasingly important in the changing climate regime. Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is a vital cereal crop that could endure an array of biotic and abiotic stresses and is well-suited to arid ecological zones. Sorghum productivity is hindered by intense competition with weeds. However, conventional herbicide use, particularly Acetolactate Synthase (ALS) and Acetyl CoA Carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors, has led to the development of herbicide-tolerant weeds. Developing herbicide-tolerant sorghum offers an effective strategy to manage weeds while enhancing crop productivity. Conventional approaches, such as utilising genetic diversity from wild relatives, germplasm screening, and induced mutagenesis, have successfully identified and transferred tolerant traits to cultivated sorghum varieties. These methods have produced hybrids tolerant to Acetolactate Synthase and Acetyl CoA Carboxylase inhibitors, providing new options for weed management. Commercially released herbicide-tolerant sorghum production systems include InzenTM (2016, USA), iGrowth® (2020, Argentina), and Double TeamTM (2021, USA), which benefit sorghum producers globally in many countries. Additionally, molecular mapping techniques, including quantitative trait loci mapping and marker-assisted selection, are critical for identifying genes responsible for herbicide tolerance. Advances in gene-editing technologies, such as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, have enabled precise modifications to sorghum's genome, further enhancing the development of herbicide-tolerant varieties. Researchers worldwide are focusing on developing tolerance to 4-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)- inhibiting herbicides, Auxinic inhibitors, and Very Long Chain Fatty Acids Synthase (VLCFA) inhibitors, and this development needs to be accelerated. This review highlights the conventional and biotechnological approaches in developing herbicide-tolerant sorghum, underscoring the importance of integrating these strategies for sustainable sorghum cultivation and improved global food security. Keywords: climate resilience, herbicide-tolerant weeds, acetolactate synthase inhibitors, acetyl CoA carboxylase inhibitors, hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase and herbicide-tolerant Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 210-228 Volume: 62 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/181/2024-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/181/2024-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202603-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:3:id:181-2024-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Eva Boszorádová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Plant Science and Biodiversity Center Slovak Academy of Sciences, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Mária Švecová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Peter Nemeček Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Trnava, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Petra Ranušová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Trnava, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Milan Karas Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy Author-Name: Jana Moravčíková Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Trnava, Slovak Republic Title: Role of the Arabidopsis At2g21490 dehydrin gene in enhancing tolerance to copper and zinc stress in transgenic tobacco plants Abstract: We studied the role of the Arabidopsis At2g21490 (DH2) histidine-rich dehydrin gene in plant responses to copper and zinc stress. Transgenic plants overexpressing the DH2 gene were generated via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Progeny from both transgenic and non-transgenic (control) plants were cultivated hydroponically and subjected to short-term stress (100 µM CuCl2 or 200 µM ZnCl2 for 24 h) before analysis. The differences observed between transgenic and non-transgenic plants in the expression of phytochelatin synthase (NtPCS) and certain metal transporters (NtMTP1A, NtMTP1B, NtHMA_A, and NtHMA_B) suggest that the DH2 gene plays a role in immobilising excess copper, primarily in the roots, thereby mitigating its harmful effects on the aerial parts of the plant. The overexpression of the DH2 gene influenced the levels of both enzymatic (NtAPX, NtSOD, NtCAT) and nonenzymatic antioxidants, particularly by increasing polyphenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic acid by at least 12-fold and rutin by at least 3-fold. The contribution of the DH2 gene to zinc stress tolerance appears to be less significant. Keywords: Arabidopsis thaliana, genetic modification, heavy metals, LEA proteins, Nicotiana tabacum L Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 229-238 Volume: 62 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/12/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/12/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202603-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:3:id:12-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Vo Thi Ngoc Ha Author-Workplace-Name: Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agronomy, Nong Lam University Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Author-Name: Huynh Thuong Vuong Author-Workplace-Name: Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agronomy, Nong Lam University Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Author-Name: Tran Bao Thang Author-Workplace-Name: Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agronomy, Nong Lam University Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Author-Name: Huynh Thanh Hung Author-Workplace-Name: Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agronomy, Nong Lam University Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Title: Characterisation of Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose disease in red chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in the South of Vietnam and the effectiveness of the consortium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Pseudomonas fluorescens  Abstract: Anthracnose is one of the most destructive diseases that limits pepper production and quality worldwide. In this study, the causal agent of anthracnose in red chilli pepper in Southern Vietnam was collected and identified based on morphological characteristics and multilocus sequence regions (ITS, β-tubulin, GPDH, ACT). The antifungal activity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Pseudomonas fluorescens was evaluated in vitro and in vivo under greenhouse conditions. The results revealed that the morphological analysis categorised the Colletotrichum isolates into three species: C. acutatum, C. gloeosporioides, and C. scovillei. Sequence analysis of the four genes confirmed that C. scovillei was the causal agent of anthracnose in chilli pepper in Southern Vietnam. B. amyloliquefaciens and P. fluorescens bacteria demonstrated antifungal activity against C. scovillei in vitro, with mycelial growth inhibition rates ranging from 20.79% to 78.69%. The consortium of B. amyloliquefaciens CC-LD2.4, P. fluorescens CC-FN1.1, and P. fluorescens O-BT1.2 achieved 84.4% control efficacy at 7 days after inoculation (DAI), which declined to 68.5% at 14 DAI and 41.7% at 21 DAI, at the flowering stage, and achieved 100% control efficacy at the fruiting stage. B. amyloliquefaciens CC-LD2.4 showed very high chitinase, protease, and cellulase activities (halo diameter of 26.7 mm, 22.7 mm, 21.5 mm), whereas P. fluorescens CC-FN1.1 was very high in protease and cellulase (14.3 mm, 12.4 mm) but weak in chitinase (5.1 mm), and P. fluorescens O-BT1.2 exhibited overall lower activities (3.4-9.9 mm). There is still considerable room to optimise bacterial consortia to develop bio-fungicides that meet the requirements for an alternative or advanced solution for controlling anthracnose in red chilli peppers in sustainable agriculture. Keywords: anthracnose, biological control, bacterial consortium, sustainable agriculture Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 239-251 Volume: 62 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/41/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/41/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202603-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:3:id:41-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Furkan Harun Bas Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture, Plant Protection Department, Ondokuzmayis University, Körfez, Turkey Author-Name: Mehmet Salih Özgökçe Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Van Yüzüncü Yil University, Van, Türkiye Title: Life table and development parameters of green peach aphid [Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)] at six different temperatures on pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Abstract: The green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is an essential pest of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). This study was conducted in 2015-2016. In this study, we collected data using 1 linear and 6 non-linear temperature-dependent development models, development parameters, and a life table of M. persicae at 6 different temperatures (18 °C, 22 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, 30 °C, and 32 °C) on pepper. The development threshold temperature was 3.9 °C, and the thermal constant was 174.0 degree/day. The minimum, optimum, and maximum growth temperatures were calculated as 14.27 °C, 27.5 °C, and 35.5 °C, respectively. The shortest growth period of M. persicae was found to be 8.14 days at 28°C. The raw data obtained at the end of the study were analysed according to the age-stage, two-sex life table method. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (r) and the highest finite rate of increase (λ) were 0.25 d-1 and 1.28 d-1 at 25 °C, respectively. The highest net reproductive rate (R0) was 61.64 nymphs/female at 22 °C, and the highest mean generation time (T) was 20.92 days at 18 °C. According to the models applied, the optimum temperature for pest development is 27.5 °C, but the intrinsic rate of increase (r) calculated from the life table parameters was statistically higher in the 22 °C and 25 °C test groups. In this study, we investigated the effect of temperature on the pest's growth and development. Based on the observations, the temperatures at which the plants were not negatively affected and the insect's activity was limited, were determined from the reproduction, development, and life table parameters obtained under different temperatures in this study. This information may help effectively control pests without using, or minimise the use of, pesticides and emphasise the temperature factor, especially in places such as greenhouses where controlled climatic conditions are provided. Keywords: population projection, temperature-dependent development models, age- stage, two-sex life table Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 252-267 Volume: 62 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/96/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/96/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202603-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:3:id:96-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Manish Kumar Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Pathology and Nematology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, India Author-Name: Matiyar Rahaman Khan Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India Author-Name: Ajay Singh Sindhu Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India Author-Name: Arti Kumari Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biochemistry, Nalanda College of Horticulture, Noorsarai, India Author-Name: Swathi Karthika Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India Author-Name: Bharat Gawade Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biochemistry, Nalanda College of Horticulture, Noorsarai, India Author-Name: Swathi Karthika Koottiyattil Sasisankar Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India Author-Name: Ashish Kumar Singh Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India Author-Name: Vishal Singh Somvanshi Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biochemistry, Nalanda College of Horticulture, Noorsarai, India Author-Name: Anil Sirohi Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biochemistry, Nalanda College of Horticulture, Noorsarai, India Title: Bionomics of wheat seed gall nematode Anguina tritici Abstract: The wheat seed gall nematode Anguina tritici is a scientifically interesting nematode due to its aerial parasitic behaviour and ability to survive for years under desiccated conditions in seed galls. However, Anguina's life cycle and its correlation with host-plant growth and environment are poorly understood. Here, we conducted a microplot study at IARI, New Delhi, India, to examine the effects of early and late sowing dates on the life cycle of the wheat seed gall nematode using growing degree days (GDD). The study confirmed the presence of juvenile stages in the soft, undifferentiated floral mass and the upper one-third part of the stem. During the early stage of floral differentiation, the plant ovary develops into milky grains, while the galls (false ovules) become fully green. An increase in size and gonad cell development was observed when nematode J2S entered the floral tissue. The count of adult females in galls marginally surpasses that of adult males, and the female: male ratio ranged from 1.46 : 1.00 to 1.48 : 1.00. After GDD and cGDD (cumulative growing degree days) calculation, we found that the nematode completed its life cycle in 90 to 140 days, depending on the wheat sowing dates and change in temperature. The study also showed that nematode development was in sync with wheat plant growth and development. The information developed from the study such as the cumulative GDD and it's correlation with Anguina's life cycle, presence of nematode in stem, flower and gall, it's migration from collar to flower, presence of various stages of nematode in different plant tissues, and it's undergoing the anhydrobiotic process in seed galls may be used to determine the best time to intervene and manage nematode infestations. Keywords: plant-parasitic nematodes, life cycle, parasitism, anhydrobiosis, growing degree days Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 268-279 Volume: 62 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/28/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/28/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202603-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:3:id:28-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sarwan Kumar Author-Workplace-Name: PAU College of Agriculture Ballowal Saunkhri SBS Nagar Punjab, Nagar Punjab, India Author-Name: S. S. Rana Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, CSKHPKV Palampur, Palampur, India Author-Name: Gaytri Hetta Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, CSKHPKV Palampur, Palampur, India Author-Name: Navjot Rana Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India Author-Name: Graciela Dolores Avila-Quezada Author-Workplace-Name: Facultad de Ciencias Agrotecnológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México Author-Name: Ahmed Z. Dewidar Author-Workplace-Name: Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water Chair, Prince Sultan Institute for Environmental, Water and Desert Research, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Mohamed A. Mattar Author-Workplace-Name: Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water Chair, Prince Sultan Institute for Environmental, Water and Desert Research, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Title: A green approach: Effects of organic weed control on weed diversity and phenology Abstract: A long-term experiment in the maise-pea cropping system was conducted in Palampur from October 2019 to September 2021 as part of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Weed Management (AICRP-WM). Ten methods for managing weeds, namely, T1 - hoeing, T2 - raised stale seedbed + hoeing, T3 - stale seedbed + hoeing, T5 - stale seedbed + mulch, T6 - raised stale seedbed + mulch, T4 - mulch 5 t per ha, T7 - intercropping fenugreek in rabi season and soybeans in kharif season, T8 - crop rotation (soybean, mustard, and maise-peas alternately), T9 - intensive cropping (additional crops of mustard in the fall and buckwheat in the summer), and T10 - chemical check (pendimethalin in rabi season and atrazine in kharif season). A randomised complete block design with three replications was used to assess the weed flora, consisting of eight weed species during kharif 2020, fourteen during kharif 2021, and thirteen during the rabi seasons 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. The weed species composition changed significantly in the second year compared to the first. In contrast to the chemical check, the organic weed control treatments showed a variety of weed flora, as indicated by diversity and phytosociological studies. Long periods of germination/emergence, blooming, and fruiting were found in phenological research. Rabi weeds appeared between October and January and between May and August. They flowered and produced fruits or seeds in March and September, respectively, and matured in April and September. Crop rotation followed by Raised stale seedbed (RSSB) + hoeing + earthing resulted in a much greater yield; however, in the second year, the chemical check was comparable to this treatment. Additionally, crop rotation increased profitability over time. Keywords: Shannon-, Wiener index, cropping system, non-chemical management, maize-, pea rotation, yield response Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 280-292 Volume: 62 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/32/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/32/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202603-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:3:id:32-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Monika Kałużna Author-Workplace-Name: The National Institute of Horticultural Research, Skierniewice, Poland Author-Name: Adam T. Wojdyła Author-Workplace-Name: The National Institute of Horticultural Research, Skierniewice, Poland Title: Bacterial etiology of leaf galls of oleander (Nerium oleander L.) in Poland Abstract: In the spring of 2022, small, regular, brownish spots of parenchymatous galls on leaves of oleander plants were observed on Nerium oleander L. cv. Emile Sahut. Bacterial isolates were obtained from diseased samples. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis and concatenated data set of housekeeping genes gltA, gyrB, rpoB, and rpoD showed that the obtained isolates are most closely related to Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. nerii. Pathogenicity tests on N. oleander L. (cv. Emile Sahut) plants confirmed the pathogenicity of the isolates. The study constitutes the first report of bacterial leaf galls caused by P. savastanoi pv. nerii in Poland. Keywords: leander knot, pathogenicity, phylogenetic analysis, Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. nerii, gltA, gyrB, rpoB and rpoD Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 293-297 Volume: 62 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/75/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/75/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202603-0008.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:3:id:75-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Andrea Del Gatto Author-Workplace-Name: Council for Agricultural Research and Economics - Cereal and Industrial Crop Research Centre (CREA CI) - Experimental farm Settempedana, Osimo, Italy Author-Name: Sandro Nardi Author-Workplace-Name: AMAP, Agency for Innovation in the Agri-food and Fisheries Sector "Marche Agricoltura Pesca", Osimo, Italy Author-Name: Mauro Dal Pra' Author-Workplace-Name: Council for Agricultural Research and Economics - Plant Protection and Certification Research Centre (CREA DC), Lonigo, Italy Author-Name: Ilaria Alberti Author-Workplace-Name: Council for Agricultural Research and Economics - Cereal and Industrial Crop Research Centre (CREA CI), Rovigo, Italy Title: Preliminary data on Plasmopara halstedii pathotype distribution in central Italy in 2020-2022 Abstract: Downy mildew of sunflower is caused by the oomycete Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berl. et de Toni. Italy has seen an increase in mildew infections in parallel with the spread of the crop. In the present situation, there is a substantial lack of information that could help farmers and researchers control the disease. The most reasonable explanation for pathogen spread appears to be the genetic variability of P. halstedii. To develop an effective control strategy, we conducted a preliminary test in the central part of the peninsula (Marche Region) to gather data on this variability. Keywords: sunflower, Downy mildew, genetic variability Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 298-302 Volume: 62 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/17/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/17/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202603-0009.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:3:id:17-2025-PPS