20.500.12556/DiRROS-29367 Effectiveness of combined biological control in protecting maize from the European corn borer and fungal infections Efikasnost kombinovane biološke kontrole u zaštiti kukuruza od kukuruznog plamenca i gljivičnih infekcija Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important agricultural crops worldwide, but its production is often threatened by insect pests and pathogenic fungi. The European corn borer (ECB) Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is one of the most damaging pests of maize. Its larvae damage maize ears, causing direct yield losses and creating entry points for fungal pathogens, primarily species from the genera Fusarium and Aspergillus. These fungi are major causes of ear rot and can seriously affect grain quality and the safety of its consumption. Biological control represents an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of biological control of the ECB in reducing Fusarium and Aspergillus infections. A field experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with four replications. In addition to the control, the treatments included the application of parasitic wasps of the genus Trichogramma Westwood, 1833 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), as well as larvae of the predatory green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea Stephens, 1836 (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), and a combination of both biological agents. The results showed a statistically significant effect of treatments on Aspergillus infections. Plants treated with the combination of parasitic wasps and predators had significantly lower infection rates compared to the control and other treatments, suggesting a synergistic effect in suppressing ECB populations and reducing fungal entry points. Conversely, the treatments had no statistically significant effect on Fusarium infections, likely due to the overall low incidence of Fusarium during the experiment. These results highlight the importance of biological control in reducing damage and preserving maize grain quality. biological control European corn borer fungal infections maize biological control protection maize Aspergillus Chrysoperla carnea Fusarium Trichogramma brassicae true false true Angleški jezik Srbski jezik (cirilica) Neznano 2026-05-12 13:43:44 2026-05-12 13:43:45 2026-05-13 03:45:25 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2026 0 0 Nasl. z nasl. zaslona; Soavtorji: Filip Franeta, Aleksandra Popović, Maja Tanasković, Mila Grahovac, Jozef Gašparovski, Dušan Dunđerski; Opis vira z dne 10. 4. 2026; Povzetek v srbskem jeziku na koncu članka; str. 1-9 no. 1 Vol. 63 2026 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 2026-01-21 632 2217-8392 274784259 1821-39448800024Q.pdf 1821-39448800024Q.pdf 1 3352878794C8C1EEC1A63DEFBAB02E69 7b933c8a3aa5de3e9dbfd8909d89e46fe4d294f0ef829a21fca54fcac6f6cfe0 d6997986-4df7-11f1-8a5a-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=43998 RAZ_Duric_Anja_2026.pdf RAZ_Duric_Anja_2026.pdf 1 A6A601D0D1A356A2112DB27B4FFF6F5B 5edd178ad4a2b73be21666ed86d54f9c50af961a8e0d22edae7973dd06263a62 fad98125-4df7-11f1-8a5a-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=43999 Kmetijski inštitut Slovenije 0 0 0