Research Frontiers: Agrochemicals Research & Development

The Role of Economic Thresholds in Optimizing Insecticide Application in Soybean Production in the Major Producing Countries of the World

Adeney de F. Bueno — 2026-08-24

Global population growth has increased the demand for food production and, therefore, for higher crop yields, especially for soybean, which is one of the most cost-effective and affordable sources of high-quality protein for animal and human nutrition. This frequently leads to an overuse of traditional chemical insecticides to maximize yields, thereby triggering negative side effects. However, both consumers and governments around the world demand a reduction in chemical insecticides in agriculture. To address this challenge, pest control must be guided by proper adoption of economic thresholds (ETs), which indicate the most appropriate time to initiate control in the crop. Despite the well-documented science behind ETs, farmers have questioned the adoption and reliability in a search for higher production, highlighting the importance of reviewing this topic. Thus, based on the available literature, the role of ETs in optimizing insecticide application in soybean production around the world is herein discussed, highlighting the importance of their adoption to mitigate the overuse of chemicals by emphasizing examples from the major world soybean producers (Brazil, the United States of America, Argentina, and China). In conclusion, this review highlights the importance of changing farmers’ perception that using more insecticide is necessary to guarantee higher yields. On the contrary, only by the adoption of ETs within Integrated Pest Management is it possible to obtain better pest management and, consequently, reduce yield loss. Despite some limitations related to their simplicity and risks of adoption, the use of ETs improves soybean sustainability and farmers’ profits while benefiting the agroecosystem. For future directions, their complexity should increase to more realistically represent agroecosystems; in addition, tools should be developed (computer programs and smartphone apps using, for instance, artificial intelligence) to translate this complexity into easy-to-adopt ETs.

Environmental Impacts of Plant Growth Regulators in Modern Agriculture: Advances, Risks, and Sustainable Perspectives

Domenico Prisa — 2026-05-21

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are extensively used in modern agriculture to modify plant developmental processes, enhance productivity, and improve crop quality under increasingly variable environmental conditions. While their agronomic benefits are well established, growing attention has been directed toward understanding their broader environmental implications. In this current review, we analyze recent research published over the last five years to evaluate the environmental behavior and ecological impacts of widely used natural and synthetic plant growth regulators. Particular emphasis is placed on their persistence and mobility in soil and water, their interactions with soil microbial communities, and their effects on non-target terrestrial and aquatic organisms. Recent advances in analytical detection and ecotoxicological assessment have revealed that several PGRs, despite being applied at low doses, may exhibit prolonged environmental residence and subtle biological effects, particularly following repeated applications. Alterations in soil enzyme activity, shifts in microbial community structure, and growth disturbances in non-target plants and aquatic primary producers have been increasingly reported. The review also discusses emerging strategies aimed at reducing environmental risks, including precision application technologies, the development of biodegradable regulators, and improved regulatory frameworks. Overall, these findings highlight the need for integrated risk assessment approaches and long-term field studies to support the sustainable use of plant growth regulators in agroecosystems.

Effects of Different Mesotrione Residual Levels on Morphological, Physiological, and Yield Characteristics of Brassinosteroid-Treated Soya Bean (Glycine max L. Merr.)

Maipato Margaret Mota — 2026-08-25

Mesotrione is a herbicide used in field crops to control grass and broadleaf weeds worldwide. For grain crops such as maize, mesotrione is recommended for a waiting period of up to 24 months before planting. This research builds on earlier investigations that explored the influence of brassinosteroids on soybean and other legume species. Hence, the study aimed to determine the effects of mesotrione residues on morpho-physiological and yield parameters of a brassinosteroid-treated soya bean. The experiment was a pot trial, laid out in a completely randomized block design, arranged in a 4 × 2 factorial design. Mesotrione was applied at concentrations of 1.6 μg.ai kg⁻¹ soil, equivalent to 45 days after application (DAA), 0.05 μg.ai kg⁻¹ soil (90 DAA), and 0.0016 μg.ai kg⁻¹ soil (135 DAA), with untreated plants as the control. With increasing concentration, symptoms ranged from bleaching and necrosis to higher concentrations. Furthermore, findings in this study suggest that the combination of mesotrione (at 0.0016 μg.ai kg⁻¹) and recommended application rate of brassinosteroid plays an important role in improving nutrient uptake, resulting in increased plant growth, physiology, and yield. It could be concluded from the measured and visually observed parameters that mesotrione beyond 0.0016 μg.ai kg⁻¹ concentration resulted in negative effects on the plant growth, physiology, and yield; thus, a mitigating strategy using eco-organic production systems with different levels of brassinosteroids to improve soya bean treated with mesotrione should be prioritized as a future study.

Green Chemistry Strategies in the Development of Sustainable Multi-Nutrient Fertilizers for Enhanced Soil and Crop Health

Renu Munjal — 2026-08-24

The growing demand for food production has increased the pressure on soil and fertilizer use, often leading to nutrient losses, soil degradation, and environmental pollution. Green chemistry offers practical solutions to these challenges by encouraging cleaner, safer, and more efficient ways of producing and using fertilizers. This review summarizes recent advances in multi-nutrient sustainable fertilizers developed through green chemistry principles, including renewable raw materials, low-toxicity synthesis methods, and environmentally friendly delivery systems. Different approaches, such as controlled-release carriers, nano-enabled formulations, chelated nutrients, and bio-based coatings, are discussed with a focus on how they reduce nutrient losses and improve soil and plant health. The review also highlights the benefits and limitations of these technologies, gaps in current research, and the need for long-term field studies to assess their safety and effectiveness. Overall, green chemistry-guided fertilizer development shows strong potential to support sustainable agriculture by improving nutrient efficiency while reducing environmental impacts.

Effects of Ameliorants on the Microbial Diversity of Chestnut Soils Under Periodic Flooding in Western Kazakhstan

Aliya Nagiyeva — 2026-08-25

This paper presents the results of studying the effects of chemical amelioration and periodic flooding and its effects on the agrochemical properties of chestnut soils, the structure of microbial communities, and the productivity of natural grass stands in Western Kazakhstan. The research was conducted in 2024–2025 at a site within the Ural-Kushum irrigation and water-supply system, applying gypsum (6000 and 12,000 kg/ha) and elemental sulfur (3000 and 6000 kg/ha). It was found that of ameliorants altered the agrochemical parameters of the soil, particularly in the upper soil layer (0–20 cm): pH decreased, while the content of nitrate nitrogen, available phosphorus, and sulfur increased, whereas the potassium content showed comparatively minor changes. The maximum effect was observed at application rates of 12,000 kg/ha for gypsum and 6000 kg/ha for sulfur. High-throughput sequencing revealed that microbial communities consisted of 97.70% bacteria, with approximately 2.20% of taxa remaining unclassified at the kingdom level. In the control treatment, Pseudomonadota (43.63–47.88%), Acidobacterium (13.09–18.11%), Bacillota (9.74–13.15%), and Acidobacteria (up to 33.10% in the top layer, with a sharp decline down the soil profile) dominated. The application of gypsum and sulfur induced a redistribution of taxa: a decrease in the abundance of Pseudomonadota in the top layer, an increase in Acidobacterium and Verrucomicrobium, and a reduction in Acidobacterium in deeper horizons, especially at higher rates of ameliorants. The productivity of the grass stand increased under the influence of the ameliorants, as evidenced by a growth in plant height and hay yield, the maximum values reaching 2060 kg/ha with the application of 6000 kg/ha of gypsum. A strong correlation was observed between grass stand density and yield (r = 0.99). The obtained results confirm that chemical amelioration under periodic flooding conditions exerts a comprehensive influence on soil agrochemical properties, microbial community structure, and grass stand productivity.