Molecular Entomology 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 61-68 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/me 66 health (Romeis et al., 2019; Xu et al., 2019). By fostering collaboration across disciplines, researchers can develop more effective and sustainable pest management solutions. 8 Concluding Remarks The utilization of natural plant volatiles for pest control in maize has shown promising results in enhancing biological control and reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides. Studies have demonstrated that herbivore-damaged plants release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that attract natural enemies of herbivores, thereby improving pest management. The application of plant strengtheners, such as BTH, has been shown to increase the attraction of parasitoids to maize, enhancing the effectiveness of biological control. Additionally, synthetic Herbivore-Induced Plant Volatiles (HIPVs) have been tested in field crops, showing significant attraction of beneficial insects, which can help in pest control. However, the practical application of these strategies in real field conditions requires further research to address the variability in insect responses and the potential ecological impacts. The potential of plant volatiles in future pest management practices is substantial, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional pesticides. The use of plant-derived volatiles can enhance the natural defense mechanisms of crops, making them more resilient to pest attacks. For instance, the deployment of synthetic HIPVs in maize fields has shown potential in attracting natural enemies and reducing pest populations. Moreover, the integration of plant volatiles with other sustainable practices, such as the use of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and medicinal plants, can further improve pest management and crop health. As research progresses, the development of more effective and targeted volatile-based pest management strategies will be crucial in meeting the growing demand for sustainable agriculture and food security. Acknowledgments The authors thank the anonymous peer review experts for their rigorous review and professional insights. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Boncan D., Tsang S., Li C., Lee I., Lam H., Chan T., and Hui J., 2020, Terpenes and terpenoids in plants: interactions with environment and insects, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(19): 7382. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21197382 Brilli F., Loreto F., and Baccelli I., 2019, Exploiting plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in agriculture to improve sustainable defense strategies and productivity of crops, Frontiers in Plant Science, 10: 264. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.00264 Conboy N., McDaniel T., George D., Ormerod A., Edwards M., Donohoe P., Gatehouse A., and Tosh C., 2020, Volatile organic compounds as insect repellents and plant elicitors: an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for glasshouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), Journal of Chemical Ecology, 46: 1090-1104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-020-01229-8 Degen T., Bakalovic N., Bergvinson D., and Turlings T., 2012, Differential performance and parasitism of caterpillars on maize inbred lines with distinctly different herbivore-induced volatile emissions, PLoS One, 7(10): e47589. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0047589 del‐Val E., Philpott S., Lucatero A., Fowler R., Cowal S., and Hsu J., 2023, The importance of insect pest biocontrol for maize production: an expert survey, Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 47: 1271-1292 https://doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2023.2239724 Herrera J., Pizzolitto R., Zunino M., Dambolena J., and Zygadlo J., 2015, Effect of fungal volatile organic compounds on a fungus and an insect that damage stored maize, Journal of Stored Products Research, 62: 74-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSPR.2015.04.006 Isman M., Miresmailli S., and Machial C., 2011, Commercial opportunities for pesticides based on plant essential oils in agriculture, industry and consumer products, Phytochemistry Reviews, 10: 197-204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-010-9170-4
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