Production and characterization of Trichoderma asperellum chitinases and their use in synergy with Bacillus thuringiensis for lepidopteran control.

Background: Despite their known negative effects on ecosystems and human health, synthetic pesticides are still largely used to control crop insect pests. Currently, the biopesticide market for insect biocontrol mainly relies on the entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). New biocontrol tools for crop protection might derive from fungi, in particular from Trichoderma spp.

Analysis of apocarotenoid volatiles from lettuce () induced by insect herbivores and characterization of gene.

Unlabelled: Plant apocarotenoids have been shown to have a diverse biological role in herbivore-plant interactions. Despite their importance, little is known about herbivores' effect on apocarotenoid emissions in . In this study, we examined changes in apocarotenoid emissions in lettuce leaves after infestation by two insects, viz.

Dynamic Economic Thresholds for Insecticide Applications Against Agricultural Pests: Importance of Pest and Natural Enemy Migration.

In Integrated Pest Management programs, insecticides are applied to agricultural crops when pest densities exceed a predetermined economic threshold. Under conditions of high natural enemy density, however, the economic threshold can be increased, allowing for fewer insecticide applications. These adjustments, called 'dynamic thresholds', allow farmers to exploit existing biological control interactions without economic loss.

Identification and characterization of three nearly identical linalool/nerolidol synthase from Acorus calamus.

Acorus calamus is a perennial aromatic medicinal plant from the Acorusaceae family, known for its pharmaceutical and medicinal value. A combined chemical, biochemical, and molecular study was conducted to evaluate the differential accumulation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in rhizomes and leaves of A. calamus essential oil.

A Review of the Botany, Volatile Composition, Biochemical and Molecular Aspects, and Traditional Uses of .

L. is an aromatic medicinal plant widely cultivated in many world regions. has been increasingly acknowledged over the years as it provides an essential contribution to the food and pharmaceutical industries and cultural integrity.

Identification of a wild carrot as carrot psylla (Bactericera trigonica) attractant and host plant chemistry.

Carrot psylla is one of the devastating pests of carrot throughout northern Europe and the Mediterranean basin. Here we characterized the behavioral response of psylla females towards different carrot germplasm and identified the chemical cues involved in the host selection of psylla females by oviposition choice experiments and metabolic profiling of leaf volatiles. In choice assays, carrot psylla displayed differential responses to tested 14 germplasm.

Characterization of terpene synthase genes potentially involved in black fig fly (Silba adipata) interactions with Ficus carica.

The black fig fly (Silba adipata) is one of the major pests of figs worldwide. This study investigated the effect of pollination on black fig fly infestation and volatile emission during fruit development of facultative parthenocarpic Ficus carica. The results from in-field oviposition preference of black fig fly, olfactory analysis, and fruit volatile profiles indicate that the black fig fly gave a strong preference to unpollinated figs that showed higher emissions of volatile organic compounds.

Analysis of apocarotenoid volatiles during the development of Ficus carica fruits and characterization of carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase genes.

In plants the oxidative cleavage of carotenoid substrates produces volatile apocarotenoids, including β-ionone, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol, and α-ionone; these compounds are important in herbivore-plant communication. Combined chemical, biochemical, and molecular studies were conducted to evaluate the differential accumulation of carotenoids and volatile apocarotenoids during the development of pollinated and parthenocarpic fig fruits. Pollinated fig fruits showed less emission of apocarotenoid volatiles than the parthenocarpic figs, while in the case of carotenoid pigments, pollinated figs manifested higher accumulation.

Profiling of volatile terpenes from almond (Prunus dulcis) young fruits and characterization of seven terpene synthase genes.

Almond (Prunus dulcis) is an agricultural and economically important fruit tree from the Rosaceae family used in the food industry. The monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes perform important ecological functions such as insecticidal and antifeedant activities against various insects. The young fruits of the different almond varieties were found to produce considerable amounts of terpene volatiles, including linalool and geraniol.

A Pyrus communis gene for p-hydroxystyrene biosynthesis, has a role in defense against the pear psylla Cacopsylla biden.

Styrene analogs are known to be naturally synthesized in the leaves of pears and in other plant species, including several trees in the Styracaceae family. Styrene analogs are potential contributors to the aroma of wine, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, and other fermented foods and beverages. In addition, styrene analogs perform important ecological functions such as insecticidal and antifeedant activities against insects.

Grafting on resistant interstocks reduces scion susceptibility to pear psylla, Cacopsylla bidens.

Background: Pear psylla is a major obstacle to efficient integrated pest management in pear orchards in Israel and around the world. We used two accessions with natural resistance to pear psylla Cacopsylla bidens (Šulc) - Py.760-261 (760) and Py.

Control of the Tomato Leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in Open-Field Tomatoes by Indigenous Natural Enemies Occurring in Israel.

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), had established in Israel by 2010, attacking both open-field tomatoes and greenhouse crops.We searched for its natural enemies in open-field tomatoes, and tried to determine their potential for controlling this pest. We surveyed the local natural enemies in open tomato fields and measured their impact on pest populations in an unsprayed field.

Two pear accessions evaluated for susceptibility to pear psylla Cacopsylla bidens (Šulc) in Israel.

Background: The pear psylla, Cacopsylla bidens (Šulc), is one of the most damaging pests of commercial pear orchards in Israel. Psylla control is a major obstacle to efficient integrated pest management, necessitating research on cultivars with natural resistance to pear psylla. Recently, two pear accessions (Py.