Plants have evolved a diverse array of secondary metabolites as part of their defense mechanisms against insect herbivores. These bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics, and glucosinolates, deter herbivory and play crucial roles in signaling, plant–insect interactions, and adaptation to environmental stress. Many of these compounds serve as chemical deterrents and/or repellents against insect herbivory and possess potential applications in agriculture. Harnessing the power of plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) through molecular breeding and biotechnological interventions offers promising avenues for sustainable pest management strategies. This review explores the current understanding of plant–insect interactions, focusing on the role of secondary metabolites in plant defense mechanisms. We discuss recent advancements in molecular breeding techniques and biotechnological approaches aimed at enhancing the production and efficacy of these compounds against insect herbivores. Furthermore, we discussed the potential challenges and future directions in utilizing PSMs as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Overall, unlocking the arsenal of PSMs presents exciting opportunities for developing novel insect pest control measures while promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation.

Global food security poses a significant challenge in meeting the needs of a rapidly growing population. Currently, producers rely on chemical pesticides to overcome pest-related problems in crop husbandry. However, the extensive use of synthetic molecules results in environmental pollution, resistance development, residual toxicity, pest recurrence and negative impacts on human and animal health. The expanding worldwide population has generated a substantial need for agricultural goods in terms of both quality and quantity, leading to a notable rise in the application of agricultural chemicals, including chemical pesticides, to combat insect pests. As a result, the use of entomopathogens for biological control has emerged as a prominent choice among these options. Currently, farmers are using microbial biopesticide solutions to counteract the negative effects of specific insects on crops. Microbes present a sustainable and adaptable solution that can effectively combat harmful pests without causing significant economic damage while simultaneously improving the health and productivity of plants. In 2020, biopesticides held a 6 % share in the global pesticide industry, with projections indicating a twofold increase to approximately 15 % by 2031. The purpose of this review was to highlight the widely accessible endophytic entomopathogens and explore their potential as a substitute for chemical pesticides. The primary goal of using endophytic entomopathogens is to maintain an optimal level of production, improve environmental well-being, reduce pesticide use and conserve natural resources. Moreover, research is now being conducted to investigate further potential characteristics, particularly concentrating on effective and rapidly spreading endophytic entomopathogens. This paper presents an overview of the mechanisms of action and the resistance they provide against herbivore insects, along with their respective benefits and limitations.

Begomoviruses are single-stranded DNA viruses that cause significant yield losses in economically important crops and are transmitted mainly by the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. Weeds frequently serve as alternate reservoirs for viruses when major crop hosts are not available, thereby promoting virus persistence and spread. During a survey in 2024 in tomato-growing regions of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Alternanthera ficoidea plants exhibiting yellow-green mosaic and yellow vein mosaic symptoms were observed. PCR amplification using begomovirus specific primers PARIv772/PALIc1960 confirmed the presence of begomoviruses in all symptomatic samples, whereas healthy plants showed no amplification. The remaining sequence of the DNA-A genome was amplified using primer pairs GKToLCV-F/GKToLCV-R and PAL1v1978/PAR1c715. BLASTn analysis of the consensus sequence (2764 bp) revealed a 95.12 % nucleotide identity with tomato leaf curl Kerala virus (ToLCKeV) isolate OQ128343. Subsequent investigation of the ToLCKeV isolate found in this study (GenBank accession no: PQ901324) showed significant genetic variation and recombination, with the potential recombination parents being tomato leaf curl Sri Lanka virus (PP935251) and tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (MK883715). This study provides the first report of ToLCKeV infecting A. ficoidea, suggesting its role as an alternative host and potential reservoir during off seasons, contributing to the persistence and spread of this virus. These findings underscore the importance of weed management in integrated approaches to manage leaf curl diseases caused by begomoviruses.

Background: Short-duration pulses are vital in Indian diets and farming for nutrient recycling and soil health. Although over 200 insect pests affect these crops, early season damage caused by sucking insect pests is a major concern. Farmers manage pests only after crop damage. Protecting early-stage crops is crucial for higher yields. This study aimed to identify potential seed treatments for managing sucking insect pests in early-stage short-duration pulses. Methods: Laboratory and field investigations were conducted to identify effective seed treatment components of chemical insecticides, entomopathogenic fungi and botanicals against sucking insect pests in blackgram and greengram. Result: Laboratory and field experiments showed chemical seed treatment insecticides were more effective in reducing sucking insect pest populations in blackgram and greengram, followed by entomopathogenic fungi. Azadirachtin 1% did not significantly affect sucking insect pest population in either crop.