Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is a vector of Liberibacter asiaticus Jagoueix et al. and Liberibacter americanus Teixeira et al., causal agents of the critical yellow dragon disease or Huanglongbing (HLB), which affects citrus production worldwide. Recently, green synthetic nanoparticles have emerged as a potential alternative to control of agricultural insect pests. The insecticide effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on 2nd instar nymphs of D. citri under laboratory and greenhouse conditions was evaluated. Mortality was recorded 24, 48, and 72 h after application on D. citri nymphs under both laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The laboratory results showed that AgNPs caused 97.84 and 100% mortality at 32 and 64 ppm, respectively, 72 h after treatment. In the greenhouse, AgNPs caused 78.69 and 80.14% mortality using 64 and 128 ppm 72 h after application. This research is the first to evaluate the green synthesis AgNPs on D. citri and are a promising strategy to control the pest.

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is considered an emerging disease and a viral pandemic for tomato consumers. The objectives of this research were to analyze the biological and physicochemical characteristics of ToBRFV in tomato and tobacco plants, as well as to evaluate its natural host range. Inoculant seeds were recovered from ToBRFV-infected tomato samples in Coahuila, Mexico, and confirmed by RT-PCR. In the first greenhouse experiment, tomato plants of the F1 hybrid variety 172–300 (Yüksel), infected with ToBRFV, were used to evaluate viral inclusions (VI), dilution endpoint (DEP), the incubation period (IP), and latency period (LP). In a greenhouse experiment, Nicotiana longiflora plants were inoculated with ToBRFV to determine the in vitro longevity (IVL) and thermal inactivation (TI) of the virus in sap. Finally, the inoculation of tomato plants grown in open fields was carried out to evaluate transmission to natural hosts. The plants tested for possible ToBRFV reservoirs near the inoculum source were inspected and confirmed by a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). The results indicate that the VIs on tomato leaves manifested as X-bodies and rounded, stacked plaques within epidermal cells. The DEP required to induce the infection in plants was from a ToBRFV concentration of 1 × 10^−5.5, the IP of ToBRFV occurred 9 to 12 days post-inoculation, and LP could be detected one day after inoculation. The TI of ToBRFV in N. longiflora plants occurred at 85 °C for 30 min. Ipomoea purpurea, Mirabilis jalapa, Clematis drummondii, and Solanum tuberosum were newly identified hosts of ToBRFV. The results found contribute to a better understanding of the impact of ToBRFV, managing and preventing the spread of ToBRFV in diverse environments.

The nourishment of the human population depends on a handful of staple crops, such as maize, rice, wheat, soybeans, potatoes, tomatoes, and cassava. However, all crop plants are affected by at least one virus causing diseases that reduce yield, and in some parts of the world, this leads to food insecurity. Conventional management practices need to be improved to incorporate recent scientific and technological developments such as antiviral gene silencing, the use of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to activate an antiviral response, and nanobiotechnology. dsRNA with antiviral activity disrupt viral replication, limit infection, and its use represents a promising option for virus management. However, currently, the biggest limitation for viral diseases management is that dsRNA is unstable in the environment. This review is focused on the potential of nanoparticles and nanocarriers to deliver dsRNA, enhance stability, and activate antiviral gene silencing. Effective carriers include metal-based nanoparticles, including silver, zinc oxide, and copper oxide. The stability of dsRNA and the efficiency of gene-silencing activation are enhanced by nanocarriers, including layered double hydroxides, chitosan, and carbon nanotubes, which protect and transport dsRNA to plant cells. The integration of nanocarriers and gene silencing represents a sustainable, precise, and scalable option for the management of viral diseases in crops. It is essential to continue interdisciplinary research to optimize delivery systems and ensure biosafety in large-scale agricultural applications.

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), being a mechanically transmitted disease, is usually difficult to control; therefore, an effective alternative to reduce transmission and replication in the crop is by spraying with chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) during routine crop management. In this research, the efficacy of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) for ToBRFV management in a greenhouse and open field was determined. The phytotoxicity of ClO₂ and its effective concentration against ToBRFV in Nicotiana longiflora plants were evaluated. Subsequently, the effect of ClO₂ on ToBRFV was evaluated in tomato plants grown in an open field. Finally, the effectiveness of ClO₂ on plants inoculated with ToBRFV under greenhouse conditions was evaluated and the number of necrotic local lesions (NLLs) was quantified. The results revealed that ClO₂ at 760 mg L⁻¹ did not show phytotoxicity and reduced the number of NLLs in N. longiflora plants. It also decreased ToBRFV transmission and replication in field- and greenhouse-grown tomato plants, improving agronomic parameters. ClO₂ reduced replication in plants inoculated with different amounts of ToBRFV inoculum in a greenhouse. N. longiflora leaves expressed lower numbers of NLLs when inoculated with ClO₂-treated tomato plant extracts. Finally, the results demonstrate that ClO₂ represents an effective management alternative when used by direct application to plants. To our knowledge, this is the first study where the use of an antiviral compound is carried out under field and greenhouse conditions.

The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a major pest of horticultural, ornamental, fruit, and strawberry crops worldwide. Currently, various management tools have been explored for this pest, with nanoparticles being one of them, which stand out for their characteristics and multiple effects. This study evaluated the effects of green-synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the mortality and repellency of T. urticae and its natural predator Phytoseiulus persimilis under laboratory conditions, as well as their efficacy in greenhouse tomatoes against T. urticae. In the laboratory, a biological window for AuNPs (50–100 mg L⁻¹) on the pest and predator was established using a residual film method and a free-choice assay. In the greenhouse, four concentrations (300, 500, 750, and 1000 mg L⁻¹) were evaluated via foliar application at 10-day intervals. The results showed susceptibility to AuNPs in all stages of T. urticae and the adult P. persimilis. The death times from AuNPs were similar in both species. Furthermore, the AuNPs were selective for the pest rather than the natural enemy. In greenhouses, AuNPs affected T. urticae populations in tomato plants, and significant differences were observed on some continuous and final agronomic variables (associated with fruits). This study showed that T. urticae and P. persimilis were susceptible to green-synthesized AuNPs. AuNPs can be a management tool, although studies on other non-target species and estimating agronomic effects on other crops are recommended.

RESUMEN. La nuez pecanera, originaria del norte de México y sur de Estados Unidos, enfrenta importantes amenazas por parte de plagas como Cydia caryana (Fitch, 1856) (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE). debido a los hábitos crípticos de las larvas de C. caryana, comprender su comportamiento es crucial para implementar medidas de control efectivas. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo adaptar dietas artificiales para insectos lepidópteros, dirigidas a C. caryana. Se formularon tres dietas, con diferentes fuentes de proteína como soya, algodón y nuez pecanera, cada una incorporando concentraciones variables de ruezno molido. Las larvas fueron criadas en condiciones controladas y se monitorearon las etapas de desarrollo. En las dietas a base de soya y algodón no se mostró diferencias significativas en la duración del desarrollo y crecimiento de C. caryana. Sin embargo, la formación de cocón se observó a partir de la concentración de 40% en la dieta con proteína de algodón, a diferencia de la proteína de soya, en la cual el cocón se desarrolló a partir de la concentración al 60%. Las dietas artificiales que contenían proteínas de soya y algodón no mostraron diferencias significativas en el desarrollo de C. caryana en términos de días. La duración del desarrollo en el estadio de huevo fue de 4 a 5 días, en larva 33 días, en pupa 7 a 8 días y en la etapa adulta 6 a 7 días. En cuanto a la dieta de nuez, se observaron porcentajes de mortalidad a partir del día 17 de evaluación, con un aumento gradual en las dosis superiores utilizadas en esta investigación.