Food waste: causes and economic losses estimation at household level in Pakistan.

Food waste is one of the major sustainability issues that need to be addressed due to its negative impacts on the economy, environment, and food security. To develop food waste reduction policies on regional and global level, it is mandatory to have a clear understanding of the various factors prompting food waste at household level and the extent of the economic losses incurred by food waste. Reducing food waste can decrease household expenditure on food, freeing resources for health, education, and well-being. The current study was aimed to (1) examine the food waste behavior of the respondents and to (2) determine the level of monetary losses from food waste. To address these objectives, a questionnaire survey and sample of food waste generated during 24 h were collected from 51 households in Tehsil Kahror Pakka, District Lodhran, Punjab, Pakistan. The survey focus was on levels of food waste and respondents' knowledge and behaviors about food waste. Economic estimation of food waste was also done. In the survey, respondents from both high- and low-income households revealed that their fruit and vegetables (31%; 32%) and peel and scrap (53%; 48%) losses were higher while egg losses (4%; 4%) were lower among various food waste categories. Wanting to eat fresh food and having no time to save food were the reasons for food waste. Monetary losses from food waste (US$ 12.8/Rs. 3677.01 per capita per annum) were higher in high-income households compared to low-income households.

First report of Echinococcus ortleppi and genotype G6 of E. canadensis cluster from southern Punjab, Pakistan and a global overview on genetic structure and host adaptation of E. ortleppi.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, is a neglected tropical disease known mainly for its zoonotic nature. CE is endemic to Pakistan, however, the disease is not given due consideration and millions of people remain at health risk. This study was undertaken to assess the species and genotypes of E. granulosus sensu lato in sheep, buffaloes and cattle, brought to slaughterhouses of two major cities (Multan and Bahawalpur) of south Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 26 hydatid cyst specimens were characterized through complete cox1 mitochondrial gene (1609 bp) sequencing. Species and genotypes of E. granulosus sensu lato discovered in the southern Punjab consisted of E. granulosus sensu stricto (n =21), E. ortleppi (n=4) and genotype G6 of the E. canadensis cluster (n=1). Of E. granulosus s.s. isolates, the genotype G3 was predominantly involved in causing infections to the livestock of this region. Since all of these species are zoonotic, wide and effective surveillance studies are required to ascertain the risks to human population in Pakistan. Additionally, a global overview on cox1 phylogenetic structure of E. ortleppi was carried out. Despite widespread occurrence, the species is mostly limited to the southern hemisphere. The highest burden has been reported in South America (62.15%) and Africa (28.44%) and by far the most common host is cattle, accounting for >90% of cases.

Endophytic Colonization by Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae in Maize Plants Affects the Fitness of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Noctuidae; Lepidoptera), is a serious threat to food security as it has the potential to feed on over 353 plant species. To control this insect pest, endophytic colonization of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in plants is being considered as a safer and more effective alternative. This study evaluated the efficacy of two EPFs, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae, for endophytic colonization using foliar spray and seed treatment methods on maize plants, and their impact on the survival, development, and fecundity of S. frugiperda. Both EPF effectively colonized the maize plants with foliar spray and seed treatment methods, resulting in 72-80% and 50-60% colonization rates, respectively, 14 days after inoculation. The EPF negatively impacted the development and fecundity of S. frugiperda. Larvae feeding on EPF-inoculated leaves had slower development (21.21 d for M. anisopliae and 20.64 d for B. bassiana) than the control treatment (20.27 d). The fecundity rate was also significantly reduced to 260.0-290.1 eggs/female with both EPF applications compared with the control treatment (435.6 eggs/female). Age-stage-specific parameters showed lower fecundity, life expectancy, and survival of S. frugiperda when they fed on both EPF-inoculated leaves compared with untreated leaves. Furthermore, both EPFs had a significant effect on population parameters such as intrinsic (r = 0.127 d-1 for B. bassiana, and r = 0.125 d-1 for M. anisopliae) and finite rate (λ = 1.135 d-1 for B. bassiana, and λ = 1.1333 d-1 for M. anisopliae) of S. frugiperda compared with the control (r = 0.133 d-1 and λ = 1.146 d-1). These findings suggest that EPF can be effectively used for the endophytic colonization of maize plants to control S. frugiperda. Therefore, these EPFs should be integrated into pest management programs for this pest.

Breaking the Size Limitation of Directly-Synthesized PbS Quantum Dot Inks Toward Efficient Short-wavelength Infrared Optoelectronic Applications.

PbS quantum dots (QDs) are promising building blocks for solution-processed short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) devices. The recently developed direct synthesis of semi-conductive PbS QD inks has substantially simplified the preparation processing and reduced the material cost, while facing the challenge to synthesize large-size QDs with absorption covering the SWIR region. Herein, we for the first time realize a low-cost, scalable synthesis of SWIR PbS QD inks after an extensive investigation of the reaction kinetics. Finally, based on these PbS SWIR QD inks, the solar cell demonstrates a record-high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.44 % through an 1100 nm cutoff silicon filter and the photodetector device shows a low dark current density of 2×10-6  A cm-2 at -0.8 V reverse bias with a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 70 % at ≈1300 nm. Our results realize the direct synthesis of low-cost and scalable SWIR QD inks and may accelerate the industrialization of consumer SWIR technologies.

Relationship Between Mass Loss and Fruit Quality of Sweet Orange at Two Different Storage Conditions.

Mass loss from fresh produce is linked to a reduction of its aesthetic value. However, a relationship between mass loss and biochemical quality parameters at different storage conditions has not been widely explored. Therefore, the current study is designed with the objectives to determine the behavior of fruit quality parameters and a relationship between fruit mass loss and fruit quality at two different storage conditions. Sweet orange fruit stored in a zero energy cool chamber (ZECC) had greater shelf-life of more than 15 days, fruit size (62.40 mm) and peel (35.15%) and lower mass loss (4.94%), juice (32.19%) and electrical conductivity (EC) (2.06 S/m) as compared to ambient conditions in laboratory during 25 days of storage. In ZECC, only EC was positively correlated (r = 0.57) with mass loss, whereas at room temperature EC (r = 0.76), total soluble solids (TSS) (r = 0.60) and fruit internal temperature (r = 0.64) were positively and peel (%) (r = -0.52) and fruit diameter (r = -0.49) were negatively correlated with mass loss. Correlation of combined storage conditions revealed that EC (r = 0.47) and TSS (r = 0.50) were positively and peel (%) (r = -0.77) and fruit diameter (r = -0.55) were negatively correlated with mass loss (%). The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the scores of room temperature were strongly associated with TSS, pH, EC, mass loss (%), juice (%) and internal temperature (°C), whereas scores of ZECC were strongly associated with pulp (%), ascorbic acid (mg 100 mL-1), acidity (%), and fruit diameter (mm).

Influence of Bacterial Secondary Symbionts in Sitobion avenae on Its Survival Fitness against Entomopathogenic Fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum.

The research was focused on the ability of wheat aphids Sitobion avenae, harboring bacterial secondary symbionts (BSS) Hamiltonella defensa or Regiella insecticola, to withstand exposure to fungal isolates of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum. In comparison to aphids lacking bacterial secondary symbionts, BSS considerably increased the lifespan of wheat aphids exposed to B. bassiana strains (Bb1022, EABb04/01-Tip) and M. brunneum strains (ART 2825 and BIPESCO 5) and also reduced the aphids' mortality. The wheat aphid clones lacking bacterial secondary symbionts were shown to be particularly vulnerable to M. brunneum strain BIPESCO 5. As opposed to wheat aphids carrying bacterial symbionts, fungal pathogens infected the wheat aphids lacking H. defensa and R. insecticola more quickly. When treated with fungal pathogens, bacterial endosymbionts had a favorable effect on the fecundity of their host aphids compared to the aphids lacking these symbionts, but there was no change in fungal sporulation on the deceased aphids. By defending their insect hosts against natural enemies, BSS increase the population of their host society and may have a significant impact on the development of their hosts.

Biotic Potential Induced by Different Host Plants in the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a polyphagous insect pest of many important crops. To evaluate the influence of host plants on the biology and survival of the Pakistani population of S. frugiperda, we examined life table parameters of S. frugiperda raised on maize, sorghum, wheat, and rice. The development rate was significantly higher on the maize crop than on the other three host plants. Different larval diets affected development time and fecundity. S. frugiperda attained the fastest larval development (16 days) on maize and the slowest development (32.74 days) on rice. Adult females from maize-fed larvae laid 1088 eggs/female, those from sorghum-fed larvae laid 591.6 eggs/female, those from wheat-fed larvae laid 435.6 eggs/female, and those from rice-fed larvae laid 49.6 eggs/female. Age stage-specific parameters also indicated the higher fecundity, higher life expectancy, and higher survival of S. frugiperda on maize plants than on the other three hosts. Larval diets had a significant varying effect on the finite and intrinsic increase rates, reflecting that maize was the most suitable diet. The findings of the present study are useful for predicting population dynamics especially in areas cultivating Poaceae crops, except maize, to develop sustainable integrated pest management strategies for this pest.

Molecular Evolution of the Activating Transcription Factors Shapes the Adaptive Cellular Responses to Oxidative Stress.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an essential part in physiology of individual cell. ROS can cause damage to various biomolecules, including DNA. The systems that have developed to harness the impacts of ROS are antique evolutionary adaptations that are intricately linked to almost every aspect of cellular function. This research reveals the idea that during evolution, rather than being largely conserved, the molecular pathways reacting to oxidative stress have intrinsic flexibility. The coding sequences of the ATF2, ATF3, ATF4, and ATF6 genes were aligned to examine selection pressure on the genes, which were shown to be very highly conserved among vertebrate species. A total of 33 branches were explicitly evaluated for their capacity to diversify selection. After accounting for multiple testing, significance was determined using the likelihood ratio test with a threshold of p ≤ 0.05. Positive selection signs in these genes were detected across vertebrate lineages. In the selected test branches of our phylogeny, the synonymous rate variation revealed evidence (LRT, p value = 0.011 ≤ 0.05) of gene-wide episodic diversifying selection. As a result, there is evidence that diversifying selection occurred at least once on at least one test branch. These findings indicate that the activities of ROS-responsive systems are also theoretically flexible and may be altered by environmental selection pressure. By determining where the genes encoding these processes are "targeted" during evolution, we may better understand the mechanism of adaptation to oxidative stress during evolution.

Genetic structure and phylogeography of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto genotypes G1 and G3 in Pakistan and other regions of the world based on nad5 gene.

Pakistan is a neglected endemic focus for Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, a zoonotic parasite species complex with the ability to infect wide spectrum of hosts. Wide gaps exist in literature for etiological agents of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Pakistan due to a very low number of studies on identifying the exact genotypes involved in epidemiological manifestation of this disease. Focusing on transmission patterns and epidemiological dynamics, this study aimed at investigating infective genotypes among the cattle population of south Punjab, Pakistan, employing a mitochondrial marker nad5 (680 bp). Nucleotide sequences retrieved from 28 hydatid cyst isolates displayed considerable intraspecific variation revealing the existence of G3 and G1 strains of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto. The G3 genotype emerged as the predominant cause (78.57%) of hydatidosis in cattle. Apart from this, to understand phylogeographical relations, homologous nucleotide sequences of the partial nad5 gene from six major regions of the world were employed in the population genetics analysis to have an insight into genetic variability and demographics of G3 genotype in particular. Diversification of G3 and its haplotypes in Pakistan (n = 11) and other regions of the world (India, Iran, Turkey, Italy and France) was demonstrated. It was further demonstrated that the South Asian population (Pakistan and India) was highly differentiated from the other regions. It could, therefore, be speculated that G3 is diverging and expanding its population with South Asia as the main focal point.

Nondetrimental impact of two concomitant entomopathogenic fungi on life history parameters of a generalist predator, Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

The non-persistent impact of biocontrol agents can be revealed for pest control when associated entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) negatively affect the natural enemies. In this assay, impacts of Beauvaria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin were studied for their compatibility or side effects on life table parameters of an important generalist predator, Coccinella septempunctata L. The results indicated non-significant impacts of both EPFs on life table parameters of C. septempunctata. The development time (egg-adult) was not significantly different in control (69.79 days) and EPFs treated C. septempunctata (69.35-80.07 days). Both fungi did not induce any significant changes in the fecundity, adult pre-oviposition period (APOP), total preoviposition period (TPOP), and mean generation time (T) as compared to control treatment. Similarly, no difference in fecundity rate of C. septempunctata was observed after EPFs treatment (287.7-288.5) compared to control (290.0). The highest net reproductive rate (R0) occurred in control (87.05 offspring individual-1) and M. anisopliae (86.31 offspring individual-1) as compared to B. bassiana treated beetles (76.97 offspring individual-1). The age-specific fecundity curves indicated that the C. septempunctata had a similar fecundity rate in both EPFs treatments and control. This study demonstrates no significant side effects of B. bassiana and M. anispoliae on the performance and biology of C. septempunctata. Considering the compatibility of both EPFs with C. septempunctata, their combinations can be recommended in various integrated pest management programs.

Host-Plant Variations Affect the Biotic Potential, Survival, and Population Projection of Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a polyphagous insect pest is a major threat to a wide range of crops worldwide. Aiming to evaluate the life history traits of M. persicae, feeding on different host plants, we used five vegetables: cabbage, Brassica oleracea (Brassicaceae); chinese cabbage, B. rapa (Brassicaceae); chili pepper, Capsicum annum (Solanaceae); crown daisy, Chrysanthemum coronarium (Asteraceae); and eggplant, Solanum melongena (Solanaceae). TWOSEX-MSchart software was used for the statistical analysis about the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. The highest fecundity (69.65 individuals) rate of M. persicae, intrinsic rate of increase (r = 0.425 d-1), finite rate of increase (λ = 1.531 d-1), net reproductive rate (R0 = 69.65 offspring), and shortest mean generation time (T = 9.964 d) were recorded on the chili pepper plant. Whereas, lower fitness occurred on cabbage. The findings attained from population growth parameters indicate that chili pepper is the most susceptible plant, while cabbage is resistant to aphids. Population projection results also supported this statement, as the final total population size on cabbage was significantly lower than other plants. The reported information would be useful for devising integrated pest management programs, particularly those involving M. persicae. This information also suggests the adaptability of M. persicae causing economic damage to these vegetable cultivars.

Extracts of Euphorbia nivulia Buch.-Ham. showed both phytotoxic and insecticidal capacities against Lemna minor L. and Oxycarenus hyalinipennis Costa.

Many phytochemicals can affect the growth and development of plants and insects which can be used as biological control agents. In this study, different concentrations of crude, hexane, chloroform, butanol, and aqueous extracts of Euphorbia nivulia Buch.-Ham., an endemic plant of the Cholistan desert in South Punjab of Pakistan, were analysed for their chemical constituents. Their various concentrations were also tested for their phytotoxic and insecticidal potential against duckweed, Lemna minor L., and the dusky cotton bug, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis Costa. various polyphenols, i.e., quercetin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and cinnamic acid were detected in different concentrations with different solvents during the phytochemical screening of E. nivulia. In the phytotoxicity test, except for 100 µg/mL of the butanol extract gave 4.5% growth regulation, no phytotoxic lethality could be found at 10 and 100 µg/mL of all the extracts. The highest concentration, 1000 µg/mL, of the chloroform, crude, and butanol extracts showed 100, 63.1, and 27.1% of growth inhibition in duckweed, respectively. In the insecticidal bioassay, the highest O. hyalinipennis mortalities (87 and 75%) were recorded at 15% concentration of the chloroform and butanol extracts of E. nivulia. In contrast, the lower concentrations of the E. nivulia extracts caused the lower mortalities. Altogether, these findings revealed that E. nivulia chloroform extracts showed significant phytotoxicity while all the extracts showed insecticidal potential. This potential can be, further, refined to be developed for bio-control agents.

Enhanced Passivation and Carrier Collection in Ink-Processed PbS Quantum Dot Solar Cells via a Supplementary Ligand Strategy.

Solution-processed semiconductors have opened promising avenues for next-generation semiconductor and optoelectronic industries. Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) as one of the most typical materials are widely utilized for the design and development of light-emitting diodes, photodetectors, and solar cells. Recently, an emerging process of PbS QD ink has been employed to attain world record power conversion efficiency by surface passivation using a PbI2 ligand to form PbI2-PbS and the process optimization in the field of photovoltaics. However, the bonding and debonding of the ligands on the surface of PbS QDs are dynamic reversible processes in an ink environment. The uncoordinated Pb2+ defects induced by unbonded PbS QDs serve as the recombination sites. Thus, the present ink process leaves much room for the enhancement by surface passivation of PbS QDs. Herein, we devise an efficient strategy with a supplementary phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI) ligand for the formation of the PEAI-PbS interface in PbS QD ink-processed solar cells. This newly developed method can not only improve the passivation on the QD surface by iodine ions but also simultaneously enhance the carrier collection efficiency by a graded energy alignment between PbI2-PbS and PEAI-PbS layers. The corresponding power conversion efficiency of the optimized device has significantly increased by approximately 20% more than the control device. As a result, such a robust and efficient method regarded as a strategic candidate can overcome the bottleneck of imperfect passivation caused by a large specific surface area and loose bonding ligands, eventually promoting the industrial application of QDs.

White Button Mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Agaricomycetes), and a Probiotics Mixture Supplementation Correct Dyslipidemia without Influencing the Colon Microbiome Profile in Hypercholesterolemic Rats.

Consumption of foods rich in dietary fiber has attracted considerable attention for lowering blood cholesterol and triglycerides through attenuation of gut microbiome. Diets rich in fiber may provide substrates for microbes to digest and proliferate. In response, products of microbial digestion enter systemic circulation and support host energy homeostasis. In the present study, rats with hypercholesterolemia (HC) were supplemented with probiotics (PB) and Agaricus bisporus mushroom to examine the antidyslipidemia effects. Forty adult rats were divided into five treatment groups. The rats in the control group were fed only a chow maintenance diet (CON; n = 8), whereas an atherogenic diet (chow diet supplemented with 1.5% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid) was offered to the remaining rats to induce hypercholesterolemia (HC group; n = 32). Rats developed HC following a 24-day continuous supplementation with the atherogenic diet. From day 25 onward, the HC group was further divided into HC-CON, HC-PB (supplemented with PB at 1 mg/rat/day), HC-AB (supplemented with A. bisporus at 5% of diet), and HC-AB.PB (supplemented with both A. bisporus and PB). After 6 weeks of supplementation, rats were killed to collect blood to determine serum lipid profile, oxidative stress, and for metagenomics analysis of colon contents. Results showed that all supplementations corrected HC-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, A. bisporus supplementation corrected HC-induced dyslipidemia (P ≤ .05). Blautia and Bifidobacterium were the most dominant bacterial genera in HC-AB and HC-PB groups, respectively. Phylum Firmicutes and class Clostridia predominantly occupied the gut microbiome in all groups. However, no significant differences were observed in microbiome diversity and clustering patterns among study groups. In conclusion, supplementation of A. bisporus mushroom and probiotics can lower oxidative stress and dyslipidemia with partial effects on the phylogenetic makeup in the gut microbiome.

Comprehensive study based on mtDNA signature (nad1) providing insights on Echinococcus granulosus s.s. genotypes from Pakistan and potential role of buffalo-dog cycle.

Pakistan has long been considered neglected endemic region for Echinococcus granulosus. Limited surveillance studies have failed to epidemiologically draw complete picture on geographical presence and etiological agents of cystic echinococcosis. Amidst such lacunae, current study explored main transmission routes of this disease through molecular characterization of hydatid cyst isolates obtained from sheep (n = 35), goats (n = 26), cattle (n = 30) and buffalo (n = 30) from the four provinces of Pakistan. Two strains of E. granulosus sensu stricto, G1/G3, and their haplotypes were observed to be cycling in sympatry in the domestic ungulate populations. G3 genotype had higher prevalence (66.94%) in the hosts compared to G1 genotype (33.06%) which was not surprising, considering the large buffalo population in Pakistan. Haplotypic analysis revealed presence of 9 different haplotypes configured in a double clustered network with two centrally positioned haplotypes referred to as G3 (PKH1) and G1 (PKH6). Population demographics and genetic variability indices suggested expanding parasitic population in multiple host spectrum. Elucidating local transmission patterns of E. granulosus sensu stricto, buffalo-dog cycle emerged as one of the dominant causes of G3 dispersal in contrary to other global studies. Adaptability of G3 to environmental conditions of Pakistan and high affinity for buffaloes emphasize on heterogeneous nature of this strain in contrast to G1. However, more studies involving larger datasets and mitochondrial sequences could confirm this hypothetically formulated inference.

Detection of Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Rhizobiales: Rhizobiaceae) Associated With Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) Collected From Citrus reticulata (Sapindales: Rutaceae) and Alternate Host, Cordia myxa (Boraginales: Boraginaceae).

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is an important insect pest of the citrus crop worldwide. It vectors the pathogen 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas) that causes a serious disease known as citrus greening. Here, we tested the infection frequency of Wolbachia and CLas from 100 D. citri individuals collected from two host plants belonging to families Rutaceae (Citrus reticulata Blanco) and Boraginaceae (Cordia myxa L.) using molecular methods. The following trend of endosymbionts infection in adult D. citri was found; 85.4% (35/41) by Wolbachia, and 19.5% (8/41) by CLas collected from C. reticulata plants and 65.4% (17/26) by Wolbachia, and 15.4% (4/26) by CLas in case of C. myxa plant. However, 61.5% (8/13) nymphs collected from C. reticulata and 20.0% (4/20) collected from C. myxa plants were infected by Wolbachia, while no nymph was infected by CLas collected from either host plants. Findings from this work represent the first report of CLas presence in D. citri feeding on C. myxa plants. By studying the presence of CLas with other endosymbiotic bacteria, future basic and applied research to develop control strategies can be prioritized.

Effects of Entomopathogenic Fungi on the Biology of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its Reduviid Predator, Rhynocoris marginatus (Heteroptera: Reduviidae).

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs), Isaria fumosorosea and Beauveria bassiana, are efficient biological agents in the management of multiple arthropod pests. In this study, the effects of both EPF species on various life stages of Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its natural enemy Rhynocoris marginatus (Fab.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) were determined under laboratory conditions. I. fumosorosea significantly (P < .05) reduced the growth rate of the third and fourth instar larvae of S. litura. For relative consumption rate (RCR), the maximum impact was recorded for I. fumosorosea, which reduced the RCR of the larvae. The larvae of S. litura treated with I. fumosorosea showed significantly lower efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) and the larval mortality rate (58.0%) was also higher compared with B. bassiana (33.3%). Similarly, I. fumosorosea had a significant effect on the pupal formation of S. litura; however, no significant effect was found on adult emergence percentage. To determine the effect of EPF-infected prey on the adult predator, their handling time, predatory rate, consumption rate, and the survival rate were recorded. No significant effect of EPF species on the predation rate was found. Furthermore, no significant difference was found in the survival rate of predators fed on either EPF-infected prey or healthy larvae. The interaction of these EPFs with a reduviid predator suggested that both EPF species, especially I. fumosorosea, could be used together with the predator to boost the biological control of S. litura in commercial crops.

Tamboti wood ash and burnt goat dropping ash, safe alternatives to control cowpea weevils, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabr.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) during storage for subsistence farming.

This study determined the effect of tamboti wood ash and burnt goat dropping ash along with a chemical insecticide (avi-klorpirifos) on the reproduction, egg hatchability, damage, and mortality of cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus Fabr.). The germination potential of treated cowpea seeds was also determined using a susceptible variety-Blackeye. Two hundred grams of clean cowpea seeds were mixed with 25 g of tamboti wood ash and goat dropping ash. These seeds were then infested with 5 pairs of newly emerged adults of C. maculatus under controlled laboratory conditions. The experiment revealed that both tamboti wood ash and goat dropping ash had negative effects on the efficiency of C. maculatus and significantly reduced the extent of damage. In germination test, these ashes showed a significant improvement in germinability of treated cowpea seeds. However, in all instances, tamboti wood ash proved to be much more effective than goat dropping ash. The study observed that these natural products have the potential to protect cowpea seeds from the damage caused by C. maculatus during storage and can, therefore, be used as an alternative pest management method against cowpea weevils.

Application of Organic Fertilizers Affect the Citrus Leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) Infestation and Citrus Canker Disease in Nursery Plantations.

Citrus leafminer (CLM), Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), is one of the most important insect pests of Pakistan's citrus nursery stock and caused extensive damage to young flushes. The organic compost is a widespread technique used to manage insect pests and plant diseases. Different composts (biofert, tara root and vermicompost) at 0.5 and 0.25 kg/plant concentration in comparison to NPK fertilizer at 0.4 and 0.2 g/plant were evaluated for CLM infestation and the associated citrus canker disease in nursery plantations of Citrus reticulata Blanco. Application of biofert at 0.5 kg/plant reduced the CLM infestation up to 54.5% during Fall-2016 and 39.1% during Summer-2017 in comparison to control treatment. The CLM larval density was also found lower by the application of biofert followed by vermicompost during both seasons. Both concentrations of biofert followed by vermicompost at 0.5 kg/plant resulted in remarkable protection against citrus canker disease in both flushes. The incidence of canker associated with CLM infested leaves was also studied and found lower by the application of biofert and vermicompost compared with control treatment. Conclusively, the soil amendment using biofert and vermicompost affects the CLM population and canker infection in nursery plantations. These organic fertilizers can be used in future citrus IPM programs as a tool to suppress the CLM population and citrus canker disease.

Heavy metal exposure through artificial diet reduces growth and survival of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Insect physiology is affected by the presence of toxins in the surrounding environment of insects as well as their food sources. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of heavy metal exposure to two low concentrations (50 µg/g and 150 µg/g) of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) through artificial diet to the larvae on biological parameters of Asian armyworm (Spodoptera litura Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Both Pb and Zn, even at low concentrations, had relatively high toxic effects on S. litura larvae (P < 0.01). S. litura larval weight and length suffered the maximum reduction when the larvae were fed on diet mixed with the high Pb concentration (150 µg/g) tested compared to the other treatments. At the same Pb concentration (150 µg/g), values of larva growth index, pupa growth index, immature growth index, standardized growth index, and fitness index were 4.66, 7.33, 7.82, 5.35, and 10.00 times lower, respectively, than those of control. At the same Zn concentration (150 µg/g), values of larval growth index, pupal growth index, immature growth index, standardized growth index, and fitness index were 5.61, 3.00, 3.04, 3.23, and 9.24 times lower, respectively, than those of control. The survival rate of S. litura larvae was also lower (12.5%) when the larvae were fed on diet mixed with Pb at 150 µg/g after 10 days of observation. Overall, the presence of those heavy metals in the environment, even at low concentrations, would exert an adverse impact on larvae development of this insect. From this point of view, findings could provide a basis for long-term evaluation of heavy metal risk and its impact on populations of important agricultural pests.