Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), el gusano cogollero (FAW) es una plaga de cultivos con más de 80 especies hospedadoras que causan graves daños a los cereales de maíz. El gusano cogollero, originario de la región tropical y subtropical de América, se ha extendido rápidamente por todo el mundo. Las larvas y los adultos del gusano cogollero dañan las hojas jóvenes, los verticilos de las hojas, las borlas o las mazorcas del maíz. Bajo una fuerte infestación de gusano cogollero se produce una pérdida de rendimiento del 50-80% en la cosecha de maíz. Esta plaga es capaz de reproducirse, migrar y alimentarse rápidamente de una gran variedad de plantas hospedantes, lo que dificulta su seguimiento. Sin embargo, hay varias medidas de control reportadas en varios países. El manejo integrado de plagas (cultural, químico y biológico) se usa ampliamente para c...

Nutritious foods are needed for the continuously growing population together with the nutrient for plant growth and production. Inorganic chemical-based fertilizers have been base and are used heavily in today’s soil management procedures, posing serious health and environmental concern. Biofertilizer has been recognized as a reasonable solution for improving soil fertility and crop output in sustainable farming. The use of beneficial microorganisms as biofertilizers has escalated its importance in the agricultural industry due to its potential significance in food safety and sustainable crop production. Biofertilizers can be a valuable component of a comprehensive nutrient management strategy. Overall, nitrogen fixers (N-fixers), potassium and phosphorus solubilizers, growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), endo and ectomycorrhizal fungi, cyanobacteria, and other beneficial microscopic...

Pests of various species cause havoc on storage grains, resulting in both qualitative and quantitative grain losses. Insect pests feed stored grains and reduce the weight, nutritional content, and germination of these grains. Contamination, odor, mold, and heat damage are also caused by infestations, decreasing the grain’s quality and rendering it unfit for human or animal consumption. Commercial grain buyers might choose between refusing to accept insect-infested grain or paying a reduced price for it. Various pest management practices have been tried. The emergence of insecticidal and fungicidal resistance, as well as damage to non-target organisms and acute and chronic effects on humans and the environment have necessitated the use of biorational methods over chemical control of storage-product pests. The term biorational refers to several products that are relatively non-toxic and ...