To identify effective fungicides for the control of gray mold in quinoa Chenopodium quinoa, the inhibitory effects and in vitro toxicity of 12 fungicides against pathogen Botrytis cinerea were determined. Two fungicides with different modes of action were selected for combination, and the optimal volume ratio and formulation of the combined fungicides were determined. The efficacy of the combined fungicides against gray mold in quinoa was comprehensively evaluated through in vitro leaf tests, in vitro pot experiments and field trials. The results showed that pydiflumetofen, azoxystrobin, tebuconazole and pyraclostrobin had significant in vitro toxicity against B.cinerea, with EC₅₀ values of 0.49, 0.39, 0.09 and 0.03 μg/mL, respectively. When the volume ratio of pydiflumetofen to tebuconazole was 4∶6 and 5∶5, it showed a synergistic effect, with toxicity ratios of 1.49 and 1.37, respectively. When the mass ratio of pydiflumetofen and tebuconazole was 9∶2, the synergistic effect was optimal, and the synergistic coefficient was 2.85. After treatment with high and medium concentrations of the combined fungicides, the protective and treatment effect on in vitro leaves were 94.97%-97.18%, and the protective and treatment effect of indoor pot experiments were 71.45%-82.01%. The field control effects of the high and medium concentrations of the compound fungicides were 87.77% and 79.91%, respectively, which were higher than other treatments, and could significantly increase the yield of quinoa. It was indicated that the field recommended concentration of 200 g/L pydiflumetofen suspension concentrate (SC) and 430 g/L tebuconazole SC at a mass ratio of 9∶2 (200 μg/mL pydiflumetofen + 44.4 μg/mL tebuconazole and 160 μg/mL pydiflumetofen + 35.6 μg/mL tebuconazole) could not only effectively control gray mold in quinoa, but also significantly increase quinoa yield.

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which Streptomyces zaomyceticus XFS-4 induces soybean resistance to the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, soybean variety Heihe 43 was used as the experimental material. Seeds were treated with XFS-4 fermentation broth and inoculated with H. glycines, and RNA-seq was performed to analyze transcriptional changes. The results showed that HiSeq^TM 2500 sequencing of soybean root samples from four treatment groups yielded a total of 78.66 Gb of clean data, from which 1 633 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. GO enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs in the XFS-4 treatment group were specifically enriched in pathways related to the regulation of nitrogen compound metabolism, regulation of macromolecule metabolism, and oxidoreductase activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs in the XFS-4 treatment group and the control group were mapped to 95 and 102 metabolic pathways, respectively. Notably, DEGs in the treatment group were significantly enriched in pathways related to starch and sucrose metabolism, plant-pathogen interaction, and biosynthesis of cofactors. These findings suggest that S. zaomyceticus XFS-4 may induce soybean resistance to H. glycines by regulating these specific metabolic pathways and biological processes.

To clarify the species composition and community characteristics of weeds in soybean fields across Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, a comprehensive and systematic investigation was conducted on weed species and community structure at 32 sampling sites in major soybean producing regions of Inner Mongolia, and the community diversity and similarity were also analyzed. The results showed that a total of 63 weed species belonging to 57 genera in 21 families were found in the major soybean producing regions of Inner Mongolia. The 21 families include Asteraceae family (nine genera and 14 species), Poaceae (11 genera and 11 species), Fabaceae (six genera and six species), and Polygonaceae (five genera and five species), Rosaceae (three genera and four species), Amaranthaceae (three genera and three species), Convolvulaceae (three genera and three species), Malvaceae (three genera and three species), Lamiaceae (two genera and two species), and the remaining 12 families including Plantaginaceae, Solanaceae, and Equisetaceae (each represented by one genus and one species). Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album and Echinochloa crus-galli showed relatively high abundance, making them the dominant weeds in the major soybean producing regions of Inner Mongolia. The Oroqen Autonomous Banner of Hulunbuir City exhibited the highest weed species richness, Simpson dominance, and Shannon-Wiener diversity indices, with values of 44, 0.918, and 3.030, respectively. The Songshan District of Chifeng City exhibited the highest Pielou evenness index of weed communities, at 0.846. The weed communities in the seven major soybean producing regions of Inner Mongolia could be classified into six groups. Among them, the weed community structures in Songshan District of Chifeng City and Horqin District of Tongliao City were clustered into one group with the highest similarity, while the weed community structures of remaining five major soybean producing regions each formed an independent group.

To investigate the population structure and phylogenetic relationships among different geographic populations of Asiatic rice borer Chilo suppressalis in Ningbo City, China,whole-genome resequencing was performed on 37 individuals from eight populations (six from Ningbo, one from Beijing, and one from Hangzhou). Genomic variations were identified, and population genetic analyses including population structure, selective sweeps, genetic diversity, and historical effective population size were conducted. The results showed that a total of 42 149 215 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 11 912 812 insertions/deletions were identified across the 37 genomes, with most variations located in intergenic and intronic regions. Among the six Ningbo populations, Yinzhou, Yuyao and Haishu populations were closely related, whereas the Xiangshan population showed the greatest genetic distance from the other Ningbo populations and exhibited moderate genetic differentiation. Genes within the selective sweep regions of the Xiangshan population was significantly enriched in seven signaling pathways, including melanogenesis and circadian entrainment. Among the Ningbo populations, nucleotide diversity was relatively higher in the Haishu and Yinzhou populations, but lower in the Xiangshan and Fenghua populations. The Ningbo populations experienced a rapid contraction approximately 3 000—1 000 years ago, followed by a rapid population expansion.

To elucidate the cascade effect between the V-type proton ATPase catalytic subunit A (V-ATPase A), a key regulator of cellular energy metabolism, and the autophagy-related gene HcAtg8 in the fall webworm Hyphantria cunea, the HcAtg8 gene was cloned by PCR. The bioinformatic characteristics and phylogenetic relationships were analyzed. The HcAtg8 protein was expressed in vitro using a prokaryotic expression system and detected via Western blot. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the expression of HcAtg8 in different developmental stages and tissues (foregut, midgut, and hindgut). Additionally, after silencing HcV-ATPase A, histopathological changes in midgut tissues related to autophagy and the expression of HcAtg8 were examined. The results showed that the cloned coding region of HcAtg8 was 354 bp in length, encoding 117 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that HcAtg8 clustered closely with BmAtg8 from Bombyx mori, suggesting a close evolutionary relationship. A recombinant expression vector pMAL-c2X-HcAtg8 was constructed, and a 56.4 kD HcAtg8 protein was obtained by prokaryotic expression in vitro, with the highest expression level observed after 8 h of induction. HcAtg8 was expressed across all developmental stages and gut tissues, with the highest expression observed in pupae. Among gut tissues, expression was highest in the midgut. After silencing HcV-ATPase A, the number of autophagosomes in the treated group was 11.0, significantly higher than that in the control group (3.5), representing a 3.1-fold increase. The number of lipid droplets in the treated group was 73.8, significantly higher than that in the control group (12.5), representing a 5.9-fold increase. Silencing HcV-ATPase A disrupted the acidic environment of lysosomes, leading to the accumulation of autophagosomes and related metabolites. qRT-PCR results showed that the expression level of HcAtg8 was 6.1-fold higher than that of the control at 24 h, peaked at 375.2-fold at 48 h, and subsequently decreased to 2.5-fold at 72 h, consistent with the histological observations. These results indicate that silencing HcV-ATPase A leads to the upregulation of HcAtg8 expression and the accumulation of autophagosomes and lipid droplets, thereby disrupting midgut cellular homeostasis, and resulting in cellular dysfunction or death.

To clarify the types, distribution, and morphological characteristics of peripheral sensilla in female oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis, scanning electron microscopy was used to examine sensilla on the antennae (funiculus), maxillary palps, proboscis, legs, wings, and ovipositor. The results revealed that five types of sensilla were mainly distributed across six organs: microtrichia, sensilla trichoid, sensilla basiconica, sensilla coeloconica, and sensilla chaetica. Microtrichia were distributed on the antennae, maxillary palps, proboscis, legs, and wings. Notably, three subtypes (I-III) were observed on the legs, and those on the wings were longer than those on the antennae, maxillary palps, and proboscis. Sensilla trichoid were distributed on the antennae, proboscis, and ovipositor, with distinct morphological differences between those on the antennae and those on the other two organs. Sensilla basiconica were found on the antennae, maxillary palps, and proboscis. Two subtypes (I and II) were present on the antennae and three subtypes (I-III) on the proboscis. Pores were observed on the surface of sensilla basiconica on the antennae and maxillary palps, but not on the proboscis. Sensilla coeloconica were located on the antennae and ovipositor, with two subtypes (I and II) on the ovipositor, among which subtype I exhibited a symmetrical distribution. Sensilla chaetica were distributed on the maxillary palps, proboscis, legs, wings, and ovipositor, displaying similar morphology across organs, with three subtypes (I-III) identified on the legs. These results indicate that sensilla on different external organs of B. dorsalis differ in their distribution, type, and morphology, suggesting that these sensilla may perform distinct biological functions.

To clarify the adaptability of bacterial pathogen Pectobacterium parvum to its vector insect Drosophila melanogaster, flies were recolonized with P. parvum via artificial feeding, and the colonization and survival capabilities of P. parvum and its closely related species in D. melanogaster were compared using quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that within seven days after feeding D. melanogaster with bacteria-containing glucose solution, the colonization capability of P. parvum in D. melanogaster was comparable to that of P. brasiliense, with a relative bacterial load reaching 8.00, and evidently higher than those of P. parmentieri, P. polaris and P. polonicum. Additionally, P. parvum could achieve efficient vertical transmission via D. melanogaster eggs, with a transmission efficiency significantly higher than that of other closely related species. The relative bacterial load in second-generation larvae reached 8.44, far higher than that of other Pectobacterium species. Furthermore, P. parvum significantly suppressed the expression of key genes in the host Imd immune pathway, including PGRP-LE and Relish, whereas P. polaris significantly induced the expression of these immune genes. These results indicate that P. parvum exhibits significantly stronger adaptation to D. melanogaster than its closely related species, which is closely associated with its strong in vivo colonization capacity, efficient egg-mediated vertical transmission, and significant suppression of key genes in the host Imd immune pathway.

To clarify the relationship between transgenic Cry rice and resistance to the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens, proteins with insecticidal activity against N. lugens were screened using an artificial diet supplemented with proteins, and their toxicity was determined. Transgenic rice containing the corresponding insecticidal proteins was then used to feed N. lugens to verify its insecticidal activity. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the concentrations of Cry proteins in stems of transgenic rice, in diets supplemented with different Cry proteins, and in N. lugens after feeding on these stems and diets. The results showed that feeding on artificial diets containing Cry2A, Cry1Ah, Cry1F, and Cry1Ba significantly reduced the survival rate of N. lugens. The LC₅₀ values of Cry1Ah, Cry1F, and Cry1Ba against N. lugens were 95.41, 13.89, and 559.7 mg/L, respectively. Feeding on transgenic rice KF6 (containing Cry1Ac and CpTi genes), TT51-1 (containing Cry1Ac/Cry1Ab genes), and ZLSAH10 (containing Cry1Ah gene) had no significant effect on survival rate, but the body weight of female adults fed on TT51-1 was significantly reduced compared to the control. Cry proteins were be detectable in N. lugens after one day of feeding on an artificial diet containing 100 mg/L Cry protein, and their accumulation increased with increasing feeding concentration and duration. The Cry protein concentrations in stems of transgenic rice TT51-1 and ZLSAH10 did not differ significantly among the three growth stages, while those in KF6 differed significantly among stages. After feeding on transgenic Cry rice at different growth periods for 15 d, Cry proteins were detectable in N. lugens, accounting for approximately 0.1% of those in rice stems, but the variation trend of Cry protein concentration in N. lugens was not consistent with that in rice stems.

To assess the feasibility of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS), a key enzyme in juvenile hormone biosynthesis, as a target for RNA interference (RNAi)-based control of pest mites, double-stranded RNA targeting FPPS (dsFPPS) was designed using the dsRNAEngineer online platform. The bioactivity of dsFPPS against two agriculturally important pest mites, Tetranychus urticae and Tetranychus evansi, was evaluated with microinjection. The expression levels of FPPS in mites after dsFPPS injection were determined by quantitative real-time PCR, and the safety to non-target organisms, Neoseiulus californicus and Harmonia axyridis, was assessed by feeding and microinjection assays. The results showed that after dsFPPS injection, FPPS transcript levels in T. urticae and T. evansi were significantly reduced by 91.80% and 83.09%, respectively. Deutonymphs of both mite species failed to molt normally and died, with mortality rates of 76.97% and 84.32%, respectively. After feeding on or microinjection dsFPPS, N. californicus and H. axyridis developed normally, indicating no significant effects on these natural enemies. These findings demonstrate that dsFPPS has high lethality against pest mites while being safe for non-target organisms. The FPPS gene can therefore serve as an ideal target for RNAi-based control of pest mites and has potential for development as a novel environmentally friendly acaricide.

To identify the pathogen causing a natural epizootic of white muscardine in Tricentrus sp. in a tea plantation and to evaluate its potential for controlling tea green leafhopper Empoasca onukii, cadaver samples collected from the tea plantation were subjected to isolation, purification, and culture. The taxonomic status of the pathogen was determined based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis using combined sequences of Bloc, RPB1, RPB2, and TEF genes. Population genetic diversity of isolates from different hosts was analyzed using 12 SSR primer pairs. Six strains derived from hosts in Membracidea and Cicadellidae were selected to evaluate their virulence against the 3rd instar nymphs of E. onukii. The results showed that the pathogen causing the natural epizootic of white muscardine in Tricentrus sp. in the tea plantation was B. bassiana. The B. bassiana populations exhibited a high level of genetic diversity, with 100.00% polymorphic loci, a Shannon’s information index of 0.73, and a Nei’s gene diversity index of 0.39. Among the four B. bassiana populations from different hosts, the genetic differentiation coefficient was 0.38 and the gene flow was 0.54, indicating limited genetic exchange among populations. A total of 89 isolates were divided into 31 genotypes and clustered into three groups at a similarity coefficient of 0.68, with group III accounting for 76.40% of the isolates and representing the dominant group. Strain JCPX121 exhibited the highest virulence. After treatment with a conidial suspension at a concentration of 1.0×10⁸ conidia/mL for eight days, the corrected mortality rate of 3rd instar nymphs of E. onukii reached 80.66% and the median lethal time (LT₅₀) was 5.90 d. In summary, strain JCPX121 has the potential to be developed as a biocontrol agent.