Integrating Biological Control and Plant Defense Mechanisms for Next-Generation AI Based Pest Management

Modern agriculture faces the critical challenge of managing pest outbreaks while reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides. The overuse of these chemicals has led to pest resistance, environmental pollution, and harm to beneficial organisms. This Research Topic aims to address this challenge by fostering a paradigm shift towards next-generation pest management strategies that integrate biological control agents with the plant's own inducible defense mechanisms.

This Research Topic aims to curate a collection of cutting-edge research that deciphers the complex molecular crosstalk between plants, pests, and beneficial microbes. By bridging these traditionally separate disciplines, we aim to unlock synergistic effects that enhance crop resistance and resilience. Achieving this will accelerate the development of sustainable, multi-layered pest management solutions that are both effective and environmentally responsible.

This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Reviews, and Perspectives that explore the following themes:

- Molecular mechanisms of plant recognition and signaling in response to insect herbivory.
- Tripartite interactions: Deciphering the chemical and molecular dialogues among plants, pests, and biological control agents (e.g., Bacillus, Trichoderma, entomopathogens).
- Omics and systems biology approaches to unravel plant-pest-biocontrol networks.
- Translational research and field trials evaluating integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that combine bio control and defense priming.

We are particularly interested in submissions that present mechanistic insights with clear potential for sustainable agricultural application.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Plant-Insect Interactions, Biological Control, Induced Systemic Resistance, Sustainable Agriculture, Integrated Pest Management, AI

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.