Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Iveta Vachová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jhonny Stalyn Hernández Orozco Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic Author-Name: Tereza Kalistová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic Author-Name: Guy Smagghe Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussel, Belgium Author-Name: Martin Janda Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic Title: Spray-induced gene silencing in the battle against pathogens, pests and weeds on our fields - soon reality or still a sci-fi? Abstract: Agriculture faces ongoing challenges from pathogens, pests and weed threats that are amplified by climate change, intensive monoculture farming practices, and regulatory restrictions limiting traditional chemical treatments. To enhance resilience, innovative solutions are urgently needed. One promising strategy is RNA interference (RNAi), a natural mechanism for gene silencing. Among RNAi-based approaches, spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) stands out for its ability to deliver double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) directly to eukaryotic organisms, modulating gene expression to suppress harmful species. Recent research demonstrates that appropriately designed dsRNA can suppress growth or induce mortality in over fifty pestiferous species, including fungi, oomycetes, nematodes, insects, and even weeds. Importantly, the first commercial SIGS-based product received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval in December 2023, highlighting advances in cost-effective dsRNA production and extended shelf stability. This review emphasises the practical applications and innovations of SIGS, providing clear guidelines for translating laboratory findings to field success. By critically evaluating current progress, this review highlights SIGS as a promising tool for sustainable agriculture while identifying challenges that must be addressed to fully realise its potential. Keywords: SIGS, RNA interference, Crop protection, dsRNA, nanoparticles, Calantha, sustainable agriculture, pathogens and pests Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 303-317 Volume: 62 Issue: 4 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/138/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/138/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202604-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:4:id:138-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Hamood U Rehman Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agriculture Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia Author-Name: Norida Mazlan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agriculture Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Climate-Smart Food Crop Production, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia Author-Name: Siti Izera Ismail Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Climate-Smart Food Crop Production, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia Author-Name: Nur Azura Husin Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia Title: Burkholderia glumae in rice: Climate-driven epidemiology, advanced detection techniques and AI-enhanced predictive forecasting models Abstract: Bacterial panicle blight (BPB), caused by Burkholderia glumae, is a major and rising threat to global rice production. Its severity is heightened by climate change, with outbreaks driven by high temperatures and humidity during the vulnerable flowering stage. Current management is hampered by delayed detection and a disconnect between diagnostic tools and predictive models. This review synthesises advances across climatology, molecular biology, and computational agriculture to address this gap. We analyse climate-driven disease dynamics, precise molecular diagnostics, and the emergence of AI for real-time image-based detection and weather-based forecasting. The novel contribution of this work is the proposal of an Integrated Multimodal AI Framework (IMAF) that converges these domains. The IMAF links climate modelling, sensor data, and computer vision to enable proactive, climate-resilient disease forecasting and decision support. This synthesis represents a critical paradigm shift from reactive management to intelligent, predictive intervention. We conclude with a roadmap for developing and deploying such integrated systems to enhance global rice resilience. Keywords: BPB prediction, artificial intelligence in agriculture, plant pathogen  forecasting, sustainable rice production Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 318-339 Volume: 62 Issue: 4 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/33/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/33/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202604-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:4:id:33-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Michell Kah Ven Sam Author-Workplace-Name: Biophysics Research Group, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Author-Workplace-Name: Biotechnology Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Author-Name: Roslina Jawan Author-Workplace-Name: Biotechnology Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Author-Name: Nur Sulastri Jaffar Author-Workplace-Name: Horticulture Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Selangor, Malaysia Author-Name: Khim Phin Chong Author-Workplace-Name: Biophysics Research Group, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Author-Workplace-Name: Biotechnology Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Title: Antimicrobial Compounds from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei inhibited growth of Ralstonia syzygii subsp. celebesensis (RSC), causal pathogen of banana blood disease Abstract: Banana blood disease is a banana wilt disease caused by Ralstonia syzygii subsp. celebesensis (RSC) poses a serious threat to banana plantations, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia. Yet, the current control methods are inadequate to mitigate the disease. Biological control agents (BCAs) offer a promising solution by using beneficial microorganisms to control pathogens. Among BCAs, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have gained increasing attention in agriculture due to their ability to produce a variety of antimicrobial compounds. This study investigates the antimicrobial substances produced by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei against RSC using cell-free supernatants (CFS) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). The inhibitory effect of the LAB extracts against RSC was evaluated using agar well diffusion method. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the bioactive metabolites with potential antibacterial activity against RSC are monoglucosyl-enterobactin, (6Z,9Z,12Z)-octadecatrienoic acid, and 2-(hydroxymethyl)-3-(acetamidomethylene)succinate from CFS-L. plantarum; canavanine, norspermidine and 4-guanidinobutanamide in CFS-L. paracasei; sinapic acid, lecanoric acid and D-glucono-1,5-lactone in LLE-L. plantarum and lithocholic acid, orotic acid and sterculic acid in LLE-L. paracasei. A scanning electron microscope has shown disruption and damage to the RSC cells during LAB treatment. These findings highlight the potential of L. plantarum and L. paracasei metabolites for biocontrol applications. Keywords: biological control, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), banana wilt pathogen, bioactive metabolites Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 340-354 Volume: 62 Issue: 4 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/67/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/67/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202604-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:4:id:67-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Pitchakon Papan Author-Workplace-Name: Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand Author-Name: Witsarut Chueakhunthod Author-Workplace-Name: Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand Author-Name: Chanwit Kaewkasi Author-Workplace-Name: School of Computer Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand Author-Name: Wanploy Jinagool Author-Workplace-Name: Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand Author-Name: Akkawat Tharapreuksapong Author-Workplace-Name: Center for Scientific and Technological Equipment, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailan Author-Name: Teerayoot Girdthai Author-Workplace-Name: Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand Author-Name: Kanlayanee Sawangsalee Author-Workplace-Name: Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand Author-Name: Piyada Alisha Tantasawat Author-Workplace-Name: Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand Title: From images to insights: Using a convolutional neural network to improve powdery mildew severity detection in mungbean Abstract: To efficiently identify powdery mildew (PM) severity in mungbean leaves, we developed a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) approach and validated its effectiveness against human evaluation. We fine-tuned an EfficientNet-B3 pre-trained model, which, in our related studies, performed better than re-implemented Inception V3 models. The CNN was trained on 90% of the images (2 880) for training and 10% (320) for validation, with data augmentation applied using Python and TensorFlow. The model obtained 82.10% and 73.03% as training and validation accuracies after 14 epochs, respectively. Further analysis with an additional 15 datasets revealed PM disease indices ranging from 2.03 (resistance) to 6.45 (high susceptibility). The concordance between AI-predicted and human-assessed PM severity was 74.4% (adjusted R2: 72.4%), with an average root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.854 and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.715, indicating moderate predictive error. Comparison of our developed AI-based application prototype on smartphones with expert evaluations yielded a strong correlation (r = 0.992**, R2 = 0.984), suggesting that this tool can effectively estimate PM severity across mungbean cultivars. The application shows considerable promise, and further optimisation and strategic dissemination efforts will enhance its adoption among farmers.  Keywords: artificial intelligence, deep learning, EfficientNet-B3, machine learning, Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek, visual observation Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 355-364 Volume: 62 Issue: 4 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/15/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/15/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202604-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:4:id:15-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mureed Husain Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Abdalsalam Omer Osman 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: Exploring the biocontrol efficiency of indigenous entomopathogenic fungus on Cadra cautella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) larvae in controlled laboratory conditions Abstract: Cadra cautella (Walker, 1863) is a global pest of agricultural stored commodities, particularly date fruits, in the field and storage. To reduce C. cautella populations in stored agricultural goods, it is recommended to use ecologically friendly methods rather than chemical treatments. In this regard, current research evaluated the efficacy of various indigenous strains of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.). Vuill. (1912), fungal isolates against C. cautella last-instar larvae under laboratory conditions. The last instar larvae were incubated in Petri plates with dry Beauveria bassiana inoculum (1 × 107 conidia/mL) for five minutes per fungal isolate. The susceptibility of C. cautella larvae to fungal infection was tested until either 100% mortality across all treatments was achieved or the control larvae had transformed into pupae. The results showed that, compared with the control treatment, all fungal isolates were pathogenic to C. cautella larvae, with varying levels of reaction and durations of mortality. After four days of inoculation, the B. bassiana isolates BbSA-5, BbSA-8, and BbSA-9 infected treated C. cautella larvae at rates of 16.66%, 23.33%, and 43.33%, respectively. The death rate of C. cautella larvae increased significantly, reaching 91.66% for BbSA-5 isolates after eight days of the treatment, while BbSA-5 and BbSA-9 isolates achieved 100% mortality after sixteen days. The control treatment resulted in no larval mortality. Furthermore, all C. cautella larvae in the control group pupated and successfully matured into adults. It is determined that the examined dry formulations of local fungal isolates have the capacity to protect stored agricultural commodities, including date fruits, from C. cautella infestation. Keywords: stored product pest, almond moth, Beauveria, Metarhizium, dry formulation Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 365-372 Volume: 62 Issue: 4 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/85/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/85/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202604-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:4:id:85-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Zbigniew Anyszka Author-Workplace-Name: The National Institute of Horticultural Research, Weed Science Laboratory, Skierniewice, Poland Author-Name: Joanna Golian Author-Workplace-Name: The National Institute of Horticultural Research, Weed Science Laboratory, Skierniewice, Poland Title: Weed control in kale in terms of reducing herbicide use Abstract: In studies conducted in 2018-2020 on transplant kale, methods of weed control, including mechanical weeding, flame weeding, mechanical weeding combined with flame weeding, and herbicide use, were tested. Chemical control was based on the use of metamitron alone before planting; metamitron before planting, followed by pyridate 1-3 weeks after planting; pyridate alone at full rate and at a reduced dose with the addition of adjuvant; and pyridate using the split-application method at 14-day intervals. During the studies, weed control, the number and biomass of weeds, secondary weed infestation, the response of kale to non-chemical methods and herbicides, and kale leaf yield were determined. The highest weed control and weed number reduction was achieved after mechanical treatments, slightly lower after metamitron use before planting and pyridate after planting, and after pre-planting pendimethalin application with supplementary flame weeding. The yield of kale leaves for most methods ranged from 48.84 to 50.07 t/ha and was lower only after mechanical treatments supplemented with flame weeding and in the control. The studies showed the usefulness of the tested methods for weed control in kale. Keywords: kale, weeds, weed control, yield Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 373-385 Volume: 62 Issue: 4 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/46/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/46/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202604-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:4:id:46-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Tomáš Tonka Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic Author-Name: František Lorenc Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jana Ouředníčková Author-Workplace-Name: Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology Holovousy Ltd., Holovousy, Czech Republic Author-Name: Oldřich Pultar Author-Workplace-Name: Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology Holovousy Ltd., Holovousy, Czech Republic Title: First detection of Eremothecium coryli, a plant pathogenic yeast transmitted by Halyomorpha halys, in the Czech Republic Abstract: We report the first detection of the plant pathogenic yeast Eremothecium coryli in the Czech Republic and identify the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, as a vector. E. coryli causes yeast spot diseases in crops such as soybeans, hazelnuts, and tomatoes, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. The yeast was identified in the foregut of H. halys specimens collected in a cherry orchard near the hazelnut shrubs using PCR amplification and sequencing of the ITS and LSU gene regions. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the identity of E. coryli and its association with H. halys, as discussed. Keywords: ascomycetous yeast, stigmatomycosis, brown marmorated stink bug, yeast spot disease, invasive species, molecular detection, pathogen identification Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 386-391 Volume: 62 Issue: 4 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/64/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/64/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202604-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:4:id:64-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Stefan Stošić Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Diseases, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Belgrade, Serbia Author-Name: Danijela Ristić Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Diseases, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Belgrade, Serbia Author-Name: Svetlana Živković Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Diseases, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Belgrade, Serbia Title: Penicillium allii - a new postharvest pathogen of onion bulbs in Serbia Abstract: Onion (Allium cepa L.), a member of the Amaryllidaceae family, is among the oldest and most widely cultivated crops, valued both in cuisine and traditional medicine. Between 2019 and 2021, onion bulbs showing blue-green mould symptoms were collected from storage facilities in Serbia. The isolated fungi were identified and characterised using a combination of morpho-physiological, molecular, phylogenetic, and pathogenicity approaches. Results from morphological and multilocus genetic analyses confirmed that the isolates belonged to Penicillium allii. Pathogenicity assays demonstrated that this species is a pathogen of onion. This is the first record of P. allii on onion bulbs in Serbia as a postharvest pathogen. Monitoring and controlling its occurrence in stored onions is essential to prevent potential health risks and reduce economic losses in onion production. Keywords: Allium cepa, blue mold, onion rot, morphological characterization, molecular analyses Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 392-396 Volume: 62 Issue: 4 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/131/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/131/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202604-0008.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:4:id:131-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ján Kollár Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak Agricultural University, Nitra, Slovakia Author-Name: Ladislav Bakay Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak Agricultural University, Nitra, Slovakia Title: The first record of Cacopsylla pulchella (Löw, 1877) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in Slovakia Abstract: In recent years, several allochthonous species from the order Hemiptera have been detected in Slovakia. Most of them are pests of ornamental plants, reducing their ornamental value. In May 2024, adults of Cacopsylla pulchella (Löw, 1877) were recorded at the Arboretum Mlyňany, and the following year this pest was found in 3 additional localities (Nové Zámky, Nitra, Cabaj-Čápor). In addition to adults, eggs and nymphs were also found on Cercis siliquastrum, C. canadensis and C. chinensis. In 2025, a growing population of this insect pest was found, which can cause significant damage to Cercis specimens. Further monitoring is required to collect data on this pest's life cycle to ensure optimal control measures in Slovakia. Keywords: jumping plant lice, pest, Cercis, alien species Journal: Plant Protection Science Pages: 397-400 Volume: 62 Issue: 4 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/84/2025-PPS File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/84/2025-PPS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pps-202604-0009.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:4:id:84-2025-PPS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Editorial Office Title: Index Volume 62 Journal: Plant Protection Science Number: 0 Volume: 62 Issue: 4 Year: 2026 File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/pps-202604-0010_index-volume-62.php File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://pps.agriculturejournals.cz/pdfs/pps/2026/04/10.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:4:id:pps-202604-0010