AlphaFold-Assisted Design and Synthesis of V-Type Amidazoles as Chitin Synthase Inhibitors against .

Chitin synthase serves as a promising target for developing eco-friendly insecticides. Nevertheless, the lack of structural insights into insect chitin synthase has impeded the rational design of specific inhibitors. Herein, we utilized AlphaFold to predict the structure of Chs1.

SuFEx Reaction-Driven Synthesis of New Cyclic Sulfonamide Derivatives With Insecticidal and Fungicidal Bioactivities.

A series of cyclic sulfonamides were synthesized through sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange (SuFEx) reactions as potential pesticide candidates. Among the 30 synthesized derivatives, bioassay screening revealed pronounced insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella, with compound G30 demonstrating optimal efficacy (LC = 39.86 mg/L).

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens HN11 enhances cowpea growth and systemic resistance to Spodoptera litura via JA/SA pathways and growth-mediated tolerance.

Background: Plant growth and development benefit from the contribution of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), which have a positive effect on plants by breaking down organic matter and synthesizing growth hormones. In addition, PGPR can stimulate plants to produce secondary metabolites, thereby enhancing its defense against pathogens and pests. To study the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 8421 (HN11) on the promotion and induction of defense against pests in cowpea, the effects and mechanisms were determined on the basis of phenotypic traits and changes in the levels of defense enzymes and phytohormones in cowpea after application of HN11.

Synthesis, Translocation, and Biological Activity of an Artificial Glucosinolate with a Fipronil-Based Aglycone as a Vectorizing Agrochemical.

The conversion of nonsystemic pesticides into systemic agents can enhance their efficacy, with plant transporters representing a promising strategy. Glucosinolate transporters (GTR1/GTR2) mediate glucosinolate uptake and transport but remain unexplored for pesticide uptake. In this study, we synthesized an artificial glucosinolate (FIP-GSL) with fipronil as the substituent group.

OsMADS55 nuclear translocation enhances OsATL15-mediated thiamethoxam uptake in rice for controlling the brown planthopper.

Plants have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to respond to the absorption and transport of external substances. Transcription factors (TFs) play pivotal roles in regulating the expression of genes involved in the transport of various substances in plants. However, how TFs coordinate the initiation of key transcriptional networks involved in cellular localization/transport in response to pesticide uptake and translocation in rice remains largely unclear.

Fabricating supramolecular pre-emergence herbicide CPAM-BPyHs for farming herbicide-resistant rice.

Controlling weeds before their emergence is crucial for minimizing their impacts on crop yield and quality. Bipyridyl herbicides (BPyHs), a class of highly effective and broad-spectrum herbicides, cannot be used as pre-emergence herbicides because they can be absorbed and inactivated by negatively charged soil after application. Here, we design and fabricate an adsorbed-but-active supramolecular pre-emergence herbicide consisting of cationic polyacrylamide and bipyridyl herbicides (CPAM-BPyHs).

Inhibition of Glucosinolate Sulfatases to Combat : Development of Novel Phenylcarboxamide Derivatives for Plant-Integrated Pest Management.

Glucosinolates in cruciferous plants are hydrolyzed by myrosinase to produce toxic isothiocyanates (ITCs). However, (), one of the top 10 global agricultural pests, utilizes glucosinolate sulfatases (GSSs) in its gut to convert glucosinolates into nontoxic desulfo-glucosinolates, thereby effectively avoiding the toxicity of ITCs. This study investigates the potential of inhibiting GSSs.

Application of an environmentally friendly nanopesticide translocation system based on Metarhizium anisopliae: Using biodegradable chitosan nanopesticides to control Spodoptera frugiperda.

The widespread application of pesticides has resulted in considerable environmental and human health risks. As a result, there is increasing interest in nanopesticides as alternatives to conventional pesticides. This study employed a chemical cross-linking technology to prepare nanopesticides, encapsulating cyantraniliprole (Cya) within biodegradable chitosan (CS) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), leading to the production of the nanopesticide CS/CMCS/Cya.

Knockout of OsPHT4;4 enhances thiamethoxam accumulation in rice stems for improved brown planthopper control.

The phosphate transporter PHT4 plays a crucial role in nutrient transport within plants. In addition to this fundamental functions, PHT4 may also participate in the uptake and translocation of other compounds, such as ascorbate. However, only a few studies have characterized the functional roles of PHT4.

New Isoxazoline Cyclopropyl-Picolinamide Derivatives as Potential Insecticides.

Isoxazoline insecticides exhibit broad-spectrum insecticidal activity against insect pests. However, the high toxicity to honeybees limits their application in pest management. To explore reducing the toxicity of isoxazoline derivatives to bees, a series of new isoxazoline cyclopropyl-picolinamide derivatives were designed and synthesized.

Herbivore-induced maize volatiles: dual functions in repelling fall armyworm and attracting natural enemies.

Background: Since its invasion of China, the fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) has rapidly become a major threat to maize production, raising significant concerns about national food security. This study investigates the effects of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), released by maize in response to FAW larval infestation, on the oviposition behavior of female FAW.

Results: Larval feeding behavior induces the release of specific volatiles that deter female oviposition through olfactory repulsion and oviposition inhibition.

Exploring Insecticidal Molecules with Random Forest: Toward High Insecticidal Activity and Low Bee Toxicity.

Insecticidal molecules with high activity are crucial for global pesticide reduction and food security. However, their usage is limited by their concomitant high toxicity to bees. Balancing insecticidal activity and bee toxicity remains a critical challenge in the exploitation of new insecticidal molecules.

Mechanisms of selectivity for azadirachtin in honeybees (Apis cerana): A new strategy for avoiding thiamethoxam ingestion.

The high toxicity of thiamethoxam (Thi) to foragers has threatened the development of bee populations and the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. In this study, we explored the mechanism of selective feeding on azadirachtin (Aza) by foragers to reduce the feeding of Aza-Thi and improve foragers' safety. The results showed that foragers under selective feeding significantly reduced the Aza sucrose solution intake.

Polarity-Reversed Functionalization of Aliphatic Aldehydes via Divergent Nickel Hydride Catalysis.

Divergent catalysis represents an exciting frontier for unlocking molecular structural diversity and exploring new activation modes. Here, we report the unexpected discovery of polarity-reversed divergent activation and functionalization of aliphatic aldehydes, where enolizable aliphatic aldehydes are selectively activated by nickel hydride to form two distinct alkylnickel intermediates divergently. This mild and operationally simple process enables the transformation of a wide variety of readily available aliphatic aldehydes, along with alkyl or aryl electrophiles, into the corresponding secondary alcohols or more challenging deoxygenated alkanes with excellent chemoselectivity.

GABA-Decorated Nanocarrier for Smart Delivery of Fludioxonil for Targeted Control of Banana Wilt Disease.

Developing a targeted nanopesticide to control the vascular disease of banana in agriculture is crucial to improve pesticide utilization. In this study, according to the degree of functionalization, three γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-decorated nanocarriers (PSI-GABA, PSI-GABA, and PSI-GABA) were constructed for smart delivery of nonsystemic fungicide in banana phloem tissues. Fludioxonil (Flu) was loaded in nanocarriers to form Flu@PSI-GABA nanoparticles with a core/shell structure for control of banana wilt disease.

Anti-Aflatoxigenic BC11-1 Exhibits Mycotoxin Detoxification, Phosphate Solubilization, and Cytokinin Production.

The productivity and quality of agricultural crops worldwide are adversely affected by disease outbreaks and inadequate nutrient availability. Of particular concern is the potential increase in mycotoxin prevalence due to crop diseases, which poses a threat to food security. Microorganisms with multiple functions have been favored in sustainable agriculture to address such challenges.

Optimized nanopesticide delivery of thiamethoxam to cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) controls thrips (Megalurothrips usitatus) and reduces toxicity to non-target worker bees (Apis mellifera).

Thrips [Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall)] (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a pest that poses a serious challenge to global crop production and food supply, especially to the cowpea industry. Nano-delivery systems have broad application prospects in the prevention and control of pests in agriculture. Herein, three types of amino acid (AA) modified polysuccinimide nano-delivery carriers (PSI-GABA, PSI-ASP and PSI-GLU) were constructed with a diameter of approximately 150 nm to load thiamethoxam (THX), which enhanced THX effective distribution and use with cowpea plants.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel isoxazoline derivatives containing 2-phenyloxazoline moieties as potential insecticides.

Isoxazoline insecticides have shown broad-spectrum insecticidal activity against a variety of insect pests. However, the high toxicity of isoxazoline compounds towards honeybees restricts their application in crop protection. To mitigate this issue, a series of isoxazoline derivatives containing 2-phenyloxazoline were designed and synthesized.

Effects of Exposure to Different Types of Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles on the Gut Microbiota and Liver Metabolism of Adult Zebrafish.

Metal-organic framework nanoparticles (MOF NPs) have received much attention for their potential use in nanopesticides. However, little is known about the potential health and environmental risks associated with these materials. In this study, the toxicological responses of zebrafish exposed to five MOF NPs for short and long periods of time were evaluated.

O-Carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles: A novel approach to enhance water stress tolerance in maize seedlings.

Water stress, a significant abiotic stressor, significantly hampers crop growth and yield, posing threat to food security. Despite the promising potential of nanoparticles (NPs) in enhancing plant stress tolerance, the precise mechanisms underlying the alleviation of water stress using O-Carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles (O-CMC-NPs) in maize remain elusive. In this study, we synthesized O-CMC-NPs and delved into their capacity to mitigate water stress (waterlogging and drought) in maize seedlings.

Coating of maize seeds with acephate for precision agriculture: Safety assessment in earthworms, bees, and soil microorganisms.

Acephate is commonly used as a seed treatment (ST) in precision agriculture, but its impact on pollinators, earthworms, and soil microorganisms remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the fate of acephate seed dressing (SD) and seed coating (SC) treatments and assess potential risks to bees, earthworms, and soil microorganisms. Additionally, a follow-up study on maize seeds treated with acephate in a greenhouse was conducted to evaluate the maize growth process and the dissipation dynamics of the insecticide.

Inhibition mechanism of Rhizoctonia solani by pectin-coated iron metal-organic framework nanoparticles and evidence of an induced defense response in rice.

Nanocrop protectants have attracted much attention as sustainable platforms for controlling pests and diseases and improving crop nutrition. Here, we reported the fungicidal activity and disease inhibition potential of pectin-coated metal-iron organic framework nanoparticles (Fe-MOF-PT NPs) against rice stripe blight (RSB). An in vitro bacterial inhibition assay showed that Fe-MOF-PT NPs (80 mg/L) significantly inhibited mycelial growth and nucleus formation.

Mass Spectrometry Imaging Reveals the Morphology-Dependent Toxicological Effects of Nanosilvers on Multiple Organs of Adult Zebrafish ().

Nanosilvers with multifarious morphologies have been extensively used in many fields, but their morphology-dependent toxicity toward nontarget aquatic organisms remains largely unclear. Herein, we used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) to investigate the toxicological effects of silver nanomaterials with various morphologies on spatially resolved lipid profiles within multiple organs in adult zebrafish, especially for the gill, liver, and intestine. Integrated with histopathology, enzyme activity, accumulated Ag contents and amounts, as well as MSI results, we found that nanosilvers exhibit morphology-dependent nanotoxicity by disrupting lipid levels and producing oxidative stress.

Influence of Two Hexose Transporters on Substrate Affinity and Pathogenicity in .

Hexose transporters (HXT) play a crucial role in the pathogenicity of , serving not only as key facilitators for acquiring and transporting sugar nutrients to support pathogen development, but also as sugar sensors which receive transduction signals. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of on rice pathogenicity and hexose affinity. deletion mutants were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and their affinity for hexose was evaluated through yeast complementation assays and electrophysiological experiments in .

Insecticidal Activity of Essential Oils and Their Synergistic Effect on Improving the Efficacy of β-Cypermethrin against .

We screened the contact activity of 32 commercial essential oils (EOs) and their synergistic effect with β-cypermethrin against . Results showed that the most effective EOs against were from , , and , with LD values of less than 500 μg/insect. The most potent synergistic effects of β-cypermethrin on were from and .