Analyzing On-Farm Spatiotemporal Distribution of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Populations from a Precision Agriculture Perspective.

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is native to Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea. Its dispersion from Asia to the United States of America and Europe caused serious damage to fruit, vegetables, and high-value crops. In Greece, damages are reported in kiwi orchards in the regions of Pieria and Imathia, which are the main production areas of kiwifruit. Greek kiwifruit production is expected to increase twofold within the next years. The aim of this research is to study the terrain and canopy properties that may have an impact on the development of H. halys populations. Thus, five kiwi orchards in total were selected in the regions of Pieria and Imathia. Τen traps were installed from early June to late October within each selected kiwi orchard-two types of traps at every side of the orchards and the center. The installed traps were examined weekly and the number of the captured H. halys was recorded. During the same days, sentinel satellite images were analyzed to calculate the vegetation index, NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index), and NDWI (Normalised Difference Water Index). The results showed population variability within the kiwi orchards since the population of H. halys was higher in areas with high NDVI and NDWI values. Additionally, our research revealed that H. halys prefers to develop populations at higher altitudes at both regional and field scales. The results of this research can be used to reduce damages by H. halys in kiwi orchards using different rates of pesticides depending on the prediction of the population size. There are multiple benefits of the proposed practice, such as a reduction in the production cost of kiwifruits, an increase in farmers' profit, and environmental protection.

RNA Sequencing of Contaminated Seeds Reveals the State of the Seed Permissive for Pre-Harvest Aflatoxin Contamination and Points to a Potential Susceptibility Factor.

Pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination (PAC) is a major problem facing peanut production worldwide. Produced by the ubiquitous soil fungus, Aspergillus flavus, aflatoxin is the most naturally occurring known carcinogen. The interaction between fungus and host resulting in PAC is complex, and breeding for PAC resistance has been slow. It has been shown that aflatoxin production can be induced by applying drought stress as peanut seeds mature. We have implemented an automated rainout shelter that controls temperature and moisture in the root and peg zone to induce aflatoxin production. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), seeds meeting the following conditions were selected: infected with Aspergillus flavus and contaminated with aflatoxin; and not contaminated with aflatoxin. RNA sequencing analysis revealed groups of genes that describe the transcriptional state of contaminated vs. uncontaminated seed. These data suggest that fatty acid biosynthesis and abscisic acid (ABA) signaling are altered in contaminated seeds and point to a potential susceptibility factor, ABR1, as a repressor of ABA signaling that may play a role in permitting PAC.