Meloidogyne incognita Kofoid et White is one of the most dangerous root-knot nematodes in greenhouses. In this study, we evaluated two Bacillus strains (Bacillus velezensis BZR 86 and Bacillus velezensis BZR 277) as promising microbiological agents for protecting cucumber plants from the root-knot nematode M. incognita Kof. The morphological and cultural characteristics and enzymatic activity of the strains have been studied and the optimal conditions for its cultivation have been developed. We have shown the nematicidal activity of these strains against M. incognita. Experiments with the cucumber variety Courage were conducted under greenhouse conditions in 2016–2018. We determined the effect of plant damage with M. incognita to plants on the biometric parameters of underground and aboveground parts of cucumber plants, as well as on the gall formation index and yield. It was found that the treatment of plants with Bacillus strains contributed to an increase in the height of cucumber plants by 7.4–43.1%, an increase in leaf area by 2.7–17.8%, and an increase in root mass by 3.2–16.1% compared with the control plants without treatment. The application of these strains was proved to contribute to an increase in yield by 4.6–45.8% compared to control. Our experiments suggest that the treatment of cucumber plants with two Bacillus strains improved plant health and crop productivity in the greenhouse. B. velezensis BZR 86 and B. velezensis BZR 277 may form the basis for bionematicides to protect cucumber plants from the root-knot nematode M. incognita.

Экологически безопасная защита чайных плантаций юга России

Background.The climaticandfloraldiversityof the biocenosisof the Lazarevskydistrictof the resortcityof Sochiservedto forma uniquespeciescompositionofPalearctic,subtropicalandtropicalentomofaunainthe region.Astablesymbiosisof the aphidcomplexandtheirnaturalpredatorsandparasiteshas been formed.During theperiodof rapidincreasein the numberofphytophages, the controlbioagentsweresyrphidlarvae,chrysops(upto 77eggsinthe egg),coccinellidlarvaeandimagos(upto 70larvaeand4imagosperplant),larvaeof aphidimizagallica(upto 17individualsperleaf). Purpose:to studytheaphidophages of the Black Seacoastof the KrasnodarTerritoryandtheirroleinregulatingthe numberof pestsinthe agro-cenoses of the Lazarevskydistrictof Sochi. Materials and methods.Phytosanitaryinspectionwas carriedout inthe springand summerperiod-4timesamonth,inautumnand winter-2timesamonth.The choiceof the registration dateduring thegrowingseasonwas determinedby the appearanceof the firstphytophagousindividualsafterwintering.Identificationof the identifiedphytophageswas carriedout inthe laboratoriesof the stationaccordingtogenerally accepted methods(MarshakovV.G.,1985).Mathematicaldataprocessingwas carriedout usingMSExcel.Innaturalandartificialbiocenoses, coccinellides showedthe greatesteffectiveness. Results.For the first time in 2021-2024, the role of phytophages in regulating the number of pests in the agrocenoses of the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory was assessed. The averagebiologicalefficiencyof entomophageswas80 %.Inuncontrolledopengroundconditions, harmony was the bestbioagentfor aphidcontrolwithan efficiencyof95 %.Highpredationresultswere shownby nativepredators-polyphagesmacrolophusanddicyphus.Theirbiologicaleffectivenessinthe closedgroundaveraged70 %witha predatorratio:The victimis 1:30.The useof laboratorypopulationsof specializedparasitesof lisiflebusandaphidiusincontrolledindoorconditionsshoweda parasitization rateof upto 84 %. Conclusion.Insufficienteffectivenessof naturalaphidophageshas been revealedwhentheyare usedasa mono-agentof aphidbiocontrol.Significantlyhigherresultswere shownby the simultaneoususeof a complexofaphidophages consistingofcoccinellides,syrphides,halidesof aphidimysis,macrolophusanddicyphus.As aresultof studieson the toxicityof the mostcommoninsecticidesandfungicidesagainstentomophages, the negativeeffectof somedrugsonthe furtherdevelopmentof insectshas been revealed.Adecreasein thenumberof pupatedlarvaewas recorded from34.7 %to37.9 %anddepartedimagoharmoniafrom29.9%to33.6%.The mosteffectivedrugswere identifiedbasedon the entomopathogenicfungiBeauveriaandLecanicillium found inthe region,which showedan efficacyof upto 90 %.

   Aim. To identify a complex of factors in the successful adaptation of the sycamore lace bug Corythucha ciliata Say for the development of methods for regulating its numbers of and effective biological control measures against this dangerous pest.   Material and Methods. The research was carried out by studying scientific publications, analysing the dynamics of climate change in the Lazarevsky district of Sochi for 15 years and studying the reporting data of the Lazarevskaya Experimental Plant Protection Station, Branch of the Federal Research Center of Biological Plant Protection for the period 2008 to 2022.   Results. 5 key factors of successful adaptation of Corythucha ciliata to new invasion regions have been identified: the factors of food and climatic adaptation, the factor of interaction with natural enemies, the factor of resistance to entomopathogenic organisms and the factor of adaptation to anthropogenic load. The main conditions and possible vectors of further invasion of sycamore lace in new regions have been determined.   Conclusion. The development of effective methods of biological control of the invasive pest Corythucha ciliata Say should be based taking into account the totality of qualitative characteristics of the pest's living conditions. The sycamore lace bug Corythucha ciliata Say effectively builds new trophic connections, without prejudice to its population, adapts not only to new climatic conditions, but also to their changes. Natural entomophages and entomopathogens do not significantly affect the development of the Corythucha ciliata population. The pest has adapted to survival in conditions of high anthropogenic load and successfully uses it to invade new regions.

Aim. Formation of the species composition of the bioresource collection "State Collection of Entomoacariphages and Microorganisms" of the Lazarev Experimental Plant Protection Station – a branch of Federal Scientific Centre for Biological Plant Protection. The collection is based on species identified in local biocenoses as well as those introduced from regions with similar climatic conditions.Material and Methods. Collection and study of the effectiveness of native, invasive, introduced entomophages, the dynamics of their acclimatization and the possibility of their introduction into laboratory culture on the territory of the Black Sea coast of Sochi. Methods of their application in plant protection systems were tested.Results. The ability of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Muls. to control the number of coccids, including Icerya purchase Maskell, has been experimentally established. Entomophages which are effective and adaptable to reproduction in laboratory conditions were selected: Dicyphus errans Wolff. and Macrolophus nubilis H.S., the aphidophage Harmonia axyridis Pall. and others.Conclusion. As a result of the study, wide polyphages of Dicyphus errans Wolff were found to be presented in the collection of the Lazarev Experimental Plant Protection Station, as well as and Macrolophus nubilis H.S., Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Muls., Leis dimidiata Fabr., Harmonia axyridis Pall., Encarsia partenopea Masi and Lysiphlebus fabarum Marsh. Acariphages are represented by Phytoseiulus persimilis Ath.‐Henr. and Amblyseius cucumeris Ond. The biological efficacy of Encarsia partenopea Masi has been evaluated in relation to Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westw. in the conditions of the protected ground of Sochi at the parasite ratio:host of 1:30; 68.6%, the best result being obtained with releases of 1:10; 79.19%. Research has begun on the development of methods for the laboratory breeding of Chilocorus renipustulatus.

The article discusses the development of effective methods of crop protection based on environmentally friendly principles. The purpose of the study is to analyze the existing domestic and global experience in the management of agrolandscape entomocomplexes. The main problem with modern methods of biological plant protection is that they are aimed at eliminating the consequences of plant colonization by harmful organisms, rather than the causes. Therefore, most of the methods used do not allow for a stable long-term positive effect and, as a result, are insufficient to preserve and restore the natural habitat of wild plant species, insects, and their biodiversity. In this regard, the issue of developing effective methods of protecting agricultural crops based on environmentally friendly principles remains important. One of these methods, according to the global scientific community, is the creation within agrolandscapes of managed natural entomocomplexes that can provide sufficient protection of cultivated crops from pests throughout the entire growing season. In conditions of impoverishment of agrocenoses, modern methods of biological protection should be aimed at eliminating the imbalance between the ecosystems of cultural cultivation and natural environment. Despite the sufficient amount of confirmed data on the effectiveness of the plant protection method under consideration, questions of optimizing the ecological and economic management of natural entomocomplexes remain open. Large-scale interdisciplinary studies of the quantitative and qualitative dynamics of phytophagous and entomophagous populations, their temporal variability, the influence of the floral composition of the agricultural landscape and stress factors are required. The study of the issue of management of entomocomplexes in the agrolandscape should be carried out taking into account the interests of agricultural producers and local authorities, and an optimized approach to plant biosecurity should be developed without prejudice to the volume of gross product.