During the period of June to October in 2018, a widespread decline was observed on kiwifruit vines in the vineyards located in the Altınordu, Fatsa, and Perşembe districts of Ordu province in Turkey. The symptoms were associated with reddish-brown rots expanding from the root to the collar with sparse off-color foliage. Based on the percentage of the total infected samples across 18 vineyards, the most common oomycete species were Globisporangium intermedium (37.1%), Phytopythium vexans (34.3%), Globisporangium sylvaticum (14.3%), Globisporangium heterothallicum (11.4%), and Pythium dissotocum (2.9%). The morphological identification of isolates was confirmed based on partial DNA sequences containing the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region gene and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit II gene. The optimum growth temperature and the optimum pH values of the five species ranged from 22.98 to 28.25°C and 5.67 to 8.51, respectively. Pathogenicity tests on the seedlings of kiwifruit cv. Hayward revealed significant differences in virulence among isolates. Phytopythium vexans and Globisporangium sylvaticum isolates caused severe root and collar rot resulting in seedling death, while Globisporangium heterothallicum and Globisporangium intermedium isolates had relatively lower virulence. All Globisporangium spp. and Phytopythium vexans isolates significantly decreased plant growth parameters (plant height, shoot and root dry weights, and root length); however, Pythium dissotocum caused very mild symptoms and did not affect these parameters of growth. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting Globisporangium sylvaticum, Globisporangium heterothallicum, and Globisporangium intermedium causing root and collar rot on kiwifruit not only in Turkey but also in the world.

Insect adipokinetic hormones (AKHs) are neuropeptides with a wide range of actions, including the control of insect energy metabolism. These hormones are also known to be involved in the insect defence system against toxins and pathogens. In this study, our aim was to demonstrate whether the application of external AKHs significantly enhances the efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea in a model species (firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus) and pest species (Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis and pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum). It was found that the co-application of Isaria with AKHs significantly enhanced insect mortality in comparison to the application of Isaria alone. The mode of action probably involves an increase in metabolism that is caused by AKHs (evidenced by the production of carbon dioxide), which accelerates the turnover of Isaria toxins produced into the infected insects. However, several species-specific differences probably exist. Intoxication by Isaria elicited the stimulation of Akh gene expression and synthesis of AKHs. Therefore, all interactions between Isaria and AKH actions as well as their impact on insect physiology from a theoretical and practical point of view need to be discussed further.

Bees are essential elements of agricultural production because of their role in pollination. However, some practices during production, especially pesticide applications have negative effects on bee life and behaviours. In order to decrease the side effects of pesticides, alternative methods, especially biological control, gained importance. In this study, effects of preparations containing; Beaveria bassiana, Verticillium lecanii and Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae, and also Chlorpyrifos-ethyl for comparison, on Apis mellifera and Bombus terrestris, were investigated. Preparations were applied with two different methods; directly as food and by spraying, with concentrations recommended by the producer companies. In the first method, bees were fed with 5 ml solutions of the preparations mixed with sucrose solution and antenna, wing, leg and abdomen movements of the bees were controlled and scored 4 hours after applications. In the second method, bees were sprayed with the preparations and mortality rates were found. As a result of feeding method, entomopathogen preparations slightly affected the movement of the honey bees, while Chlorpyrifos-ethyl, almost totally inhibited their movement. Similarly, entomopathogens had no harmful effect on the movement of bombus bees, but the insecticide totally inhibited their movement. In the spraying method, the insecticide killed all the individuals of both bee species, while entomopathogens caused the death of only a few individuals.