TITLE:
DNA Barcoding of Insects and Its Direct Application for Plant Protection
AUTHORS:
Peter Quandahor, Iddrisu Yahaya, Francis Kusi, Issah Sugri, Julius Yirzagla, Abdul Karim Alhassan, Jerry A. Nboyine, George Y. Mahama, Godwin Opoku, Mohammed Mujitaba Dawuda, Asieku Yahaya, Theophilus Kwabla Tengey, Rofela Combey, John Abraham
KEYWORDS:
DNA Barcoding, Integrated Pest Management, Taxonomy, Biosecurity, Crop Protection
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.14 No.3,
March
27,
2024
ABSTRACT: The introduction of invasive
insect pests across national borders has become a major concern in crop
production. Accordingly, national plant protection organizations are challenge
to reinforce their monitoring strategies, which are hampered by the weight and
size of inspection equipment, as well as the taxonomic extensiveness of
interrupted species. Moreover, some insect pests that impede farmer
productivity and profitability are difficult for researchers to address on time
due to a lack of appropriate plant protection measures. Farmers’ reliance on
synthetic pesticides and biocontrol agents has resulted in major economic and
environmental ramifications. DNA barcoding is a novel technology that has the
potential to improve Integrated Pest Management decision-making, which is
dependent on the ability to correctly identify pest and beneficial organisms.
This is due to some natural traits such as phenology or pesticide
susceptibility browbeaten by IPM strategies to avert pest establishment.
Specifically, Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence information was applied
effectively for the identification of some micro-organisms. This technology,
DNA barcoding, allows for the identification of insect species by using short,
standardized gene sequences. DNA barcoding is basically based on repeatable and
accessible technique that allows for the mechanisation or automation of species
discrimination. This technique bridges the taxonomic bio-security gap and meets
the International Plant Protection Convention diagnostic standards for insect
identification. This review therefore discusses DNA barcoding as a technique
for insect pests’ identification and its potential application for crop
protection.