Biofumigation is an eco-friendly agronomic technique that utilizes bioactive compounds from Brassica species to manage soil-borne pests. In our review, we explore it as a sustainable alternative to chemical fumigation, focusing on its potential for controlling wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae). By analyzing existing studies, we assess the efficacy of biofumigation using Brassica plants, with a detailed focus on Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. (Indian mustard) and Brassica carinata A. Braun (Ethiopian mustard), which are rich in glucosinolates (Glns). We also examine glucosinolate decomposition mechanisms, where enzymatic hydrolysis releases isothiocyanates (IsoTs) and other bioactive compounds with pesticidal properties. Our review synthesizes findings from laboratory bioassays, semi-field experiments, and long-term field trials to evaluate the impact of these biofumigants on wireworms, soil health, and broader pest management strategies. Additionally, we discuss how biofumigation may disrupt wireworm feeding behavior while improving soil structure and microbial activity. Despite its promise, several challenges may influence the effectiveness and adoption of biofumigation, including the variability in field efficacy, soil interactions, and barriers to large-scale adoption. We emphasize the need for future research to refine biofumigation applications, enhance IsoT stability, and integrate this method with other pest control strategies to ensure its sustainability in wireworm management.

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is an economically important pest on potatoes, which can cause significant damage if not controlled. Our laboratory trial was conducted to study the efficacy of five types of inert dusts (diatomaceous earth, quartz sand, Norway spruce wood ash, zeolite, and tree of heaven leaf dust) against the CPB. Efficacy was tested using three modes of application (MoA): MoA 1, in which the used inert dusts were applied to both leaves and insects; MoA 2, where just the leaves were pre-dusted; and MoA 3, where only the pests were pre-dusted. All three modes were tested on larvae (L1/L2 and L3/L4) and adults of CPB. Among the inert dusts applied to the adults, the highest efficacy was recorded for the diatomaceous earth treatment (13.3 ± 3.3%) in the first MoA and the wood ash treatment (6.7 ± 3.3%) in the second MoA after 7 days of exposure. Defoliation results for adults were most promising in the A. altissima leaf dust treatment in the first and second MoA (45.3 ± 8.2%) after 7 days of exposure. For the old larvae, wood ash was the most promising in regards to efficacy (26.7 ± 7.3%) and defoliation (app. 70.0%) after 7 days of exposure in the third MoA. For the young larvae, the most promising results at the end of the 7-day exposure period for efficacy were obtained from the treatment of diatomaceous earth (65.7 ± 22.9%). Defoliation rates for young larvae were also high, but most promising in the treatment of A. altissima leaf dust (41.0 ± 4.2%) in the second MoA. The results showed that the inert dusts were not very effective in controlling the CPB, with the exception of wood ash and diatomaceous earth, which showed some limited control. A. altissima leaf dust generated a low defoliation rate, possibly due to an antifeedant effect on the beetles.

We studied the contact efficacy (surface treatment) of six types of inert dusts in controlling the bean weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus [Say], Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), including zeolite, quartz sand, Slovenian diatomaceous earth (DE), wood ash of fir trees (Abies alba L.), wood ash of Norway spruce trees (Picea alba L.), and Silicosec®; the latest being a commercial brand of DE. The two concentrations of dust of 10 and 20 g/m² were tested, in which the dust was used to treat common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as a contact treatment inside a Petri dish. Fifteen adult weevils were introduced into each Petri dish, and the weevil mortality was counted on days 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7. On the 7th day, the surviving weevils were transferred into a new Petri dish filled with beans without the dust treatment, and then the delayed mortality of the weevils was counted on days 8, 9, 10, 11, and 14. A set of experiments consist of nine repetitions, and four sets were made to observe them under four combinations of two storage temperatures (20 and 25 °C) and two storage RH (55 and 75%). The analysis shows that the corrected mortality and delayed mortality were influenced by the day of exposure, dust type, concentration, storage temperature, and RH. The lower concentration of 10 g/m² was effective enough to control the bean weevil, while the corrected mortalities were higher at 25 °C compared to 20 °C. The efficacy of fir and Norway spruce wood ashes and Slovenian DE was as high as that of SilicoSec®, which can cause 100% weevil mortality after 4 days. Those three types of inert dusts are strongly recommended as a non-chemical material to control bean weevils A. obtectus in common bean storage.