The degree of development and operability of the indicators for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) using Descriptor 1 (D1) Biological Diversity was assessed. To this end, an overview of the relevance and degree of operability of the underlying parameters across 20 European countries was compiled by analysing national directives, legislation, regulations, and publicly available reports. Marked differences were found between countries in the degree of ecological relevance as well as in the degree of implementation and operability of the parameters chosen to indicate biological diversity. The best scoring EU countries were France, Germany, Greece and Spain, while the worst scoring countries were Italy and Slovenia. No country achieved maximum scores for the implementation of MSFD D1. The non-EU countries Norway and Turkey score as highly as the top-scoring EU countries. On the positive side, the chosen parameters for D1 indicators were generally identified as being an ecologically relevant reflection of Biological Diversity. On the negative side however, less than half of the chosen parameters are currently operational. It appears that at a pan-European level, no consistent and harmonized approach currently exists for the description and assessment of marine biological diversity. The implementation of the MSFD Descriptor 1 for Europe as a whole can therefore at best be marked as moderately successful.

Alphabaculovirus of Chrysodeixis chalcites (ChchNPV-TF1) has been investigated as a useful bioinsecticide against C. chalcites (Esper) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in banana crops. This study investigated the effects of several substances on the persistence of ChchNPV-TF1 under field conditions in the Canary Islands. Natural photoprotective substances, such as moringa, cacao, green tea, benzopurpurine, charcoal, iron dioxide, benzimidazole, kaolinite, and bentonite, were first evaluated under laboratory conditions using a Crosslinker as UV light source at 200 J/cm². The photoprotective substances were divided into three groups: low protection (0–8%; kaolinite), intermediate protection (48–62%; green tea, moringa, bentonite and cacao) and high protection (87–100%; charcoal, iron ioxide). Benzopurpurine and benzimidazole did not provide any photoprotective effects. Two of the substances that yielded the best results, 1% cacao and 1% charcoal, were selected for the open-field experiment in a banana plantation. The persistence of ChchNPV-TF1 OBs (occlusion bodies) on leaf surfaces with sunlight exposure was analysed by comparing the initial mortality of 2^nd instar C. chalcites larvae with the mortality observed at various intervals postapplication. The mortality rates decreased over time in all treatments and were always higher in the UV-protective substance-treated parcels. The 1% charcoal treatment exhibited the highest protection in both the laboratory and field experiments. No specific interference of UV-protective substances on the maximum photochemical efficiency of banana plants was observed under field conditions.

The golden twin-spot moth (Chrysodeixis chalcites) is one of the most important pests in banana production on the Canary Islands (Spain). The efficacy of different biorational insecticides based on bioenzyme complexes (Intruder^®), plant extracts: Rutaceae and Piperaceae (Avenger^®), Rutaceae and Lauraceae (BioKnock^®), cinnamon, citronella, and Menta (Cinamite^®), Alliaceae and Solanacea (Garlitrol-Forte^®), citrus (Prevam^®), and neem oil (Indasol^®) was assessed against C. chalcites. Laboratory assays included: choice (repellent effect), no choice, and contact toxicity on C. chalcites 2nd instar larvae. The highest repellent effect was observed with Prevam^® (85.19 ± 1.7%), followed by Garlitrol^® (68.44 ± 5.7%) and Intruder^® (67.54 ± 4.3%). In no choice assays, Prevam^® (0.92 ± 0.4%), Indasol^® (0.98 ± 0.33%), and Intruder^® (2.7 ± 0.33%) had the lowest leaf consumption. The contact toxicity assays showed the highest mortality with Intruder^® both at 1 day and 7 days post-application (20.22 ± 2.98% and 77.77 ± 5.7%, respectively). In the screenhouse trial, the best results for C. chalcites larvae mortality, fruit damage, and fruit classification in quality categories 7 days after application of the bioinsecticide were obtained with Intruder^®, Prevam^®, and Indasol^®. An economic analysis of biorational treatments was also performed. The results of this study provide successful alternatives to chemical pesticides for the control of C. chalcites on banana plants in the Canary Islands.

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is an important culinary herb originated from the Mediterranean basin, where it still can be found in wild forms, and is taxonomically positioned in the Apiaceae family. In Turkey, it is cultivated extensively in the Mediterranean and Aegean Regions, and in the Marmara Region. There are several diseases and pests affecting the yield and quality in the parsley cultivated areas. Root-knot nematodes are among the most important pests in winter crop production with the ability of a wide host plant range. Root-knot nematodes weaken the parsley plant, causing significant quality losses, and showing signs of stunting and yellowing of the leaves. In this study, parsley plants with typical symptoms of root-knot nematodes were detected in surveys conducted in Çanakkale province, Türkiye. Pure cultures of the root-knot nematode obtained from the roots of parsley were identified up to the species level. Species identification and diagnosis were made by morphological and morphometrical measurements from second-stage juveniles and female individuals obtained from pure cultures. As a result, Meloidogyne hapla was detected first time on parsley plants in Türkiye.

Nematode population densities were determined in 60 soil and root samples collected from 6 fruit orchards in the Bilecik province (western Turkey), between April 2022 and June 2022. The total number of identified nematodes have reached up to 2418 individuals (number of female: 1036; male: 154; and juvenile: 1228). They belong to 54 species, 54 genera, 33 families and 11 orders. Plant parasitic nematodes that were detected mostly are listed as follows: Helicotylenchus (6,12 %), Pratylenchus (5,74 %), Paratylenchus (4.83 %), Xiphinema (3,06 %), Tylenchorhynchus (2,19 %), Malenchus (1.94 %) and Tylenchus (1.19 %). According to the maturity index analysis, mean values showed the highest maturity level at peach trees (MI value: 3,52), followed by; walnut trees (MI value: 2.49), cherry trees (MI value: 2.15), nectarine trees (MI value: 1.86), plum trees (MI value: 1.57), and olive trees (MI value: 1.42). Mostly the diverse group in terms of species richness was within the order Dorylaimida. The nematodes associated with peach and walnut trees here showed the most stable environments in terms of soil nematode community structure.

Türkiye is the country of origin for the wheat plant, and a significant portion of wheat production is concentrated in the southeastern and central provinces. One of the most serious pests affecting stored wheat grains in Türkiye is Sitophilus granarius L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), posing a significant threat to wheat production. This study evaluated the efficacy of two locally sourced entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species, Steinernema feltiae (Strain 8) and Steinernema carpocapsae (Strain 27), isolated from olive and plum orchards in Bilecik, Türkiye. The experiment was conducted using four different concentrations of infective juveniles (IJs) (250, 500, 1000, and 2000 IJs/ml) at four temperatures (15, 20, 25, and 30 °C). Mortality rates of S. granarius adults were assessed over an 8-day period following the application of EPNs. Results showed that on the 8th day post-application, the lowest number of surviving S. granarius adults was recorded at the 1000 IJs/ml concentration of S. carpocapsae, with 0.63±0.47 at 25 °C. This was followed by 0.83±0.69 at 30 °C and 0.83±1.06 at 20 °C for the same nematode species. In contrast, S. feltiae exhibited higher survival rates, with 1.63±0.94 living adults at 20 °C and 2.00±0.70 at 2000 IJs/ml on the 8th day post-application. Overall, the S. carpocapsae (Strain 27) isolate demonstrated greater efficacy in infecting S. granarius adults compared to the S. feltiae (Strain 8) isolate. Both isolates exhibit significant potential for use in the biological control of S. granarius adults.