Impact of Field Insect Pests on Seed and Nutritional Quality of Some Important Crops: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The increasing problem of insect pest infestation in agriculture and its impact on crop production and productivity require a thorough understanding and identification of efficient control solutions. This review explores the effects of insect infestations on crop productivity and seed quality with a focus on nutritional value, in particular, protein content, sugar levels, mineral composition, vitamin C concentration, antioxidant activity, and phenolic content. The paper compiles current studies on the diverse impacts of insect pests, including Hessian flies, Russian wheat aphids, Sunn pests, fruit flies, and others, on various crops such as wheat, soybeans, mung beans, durum wheat, bread wheat, olives, and citrus fruits. Integrated pest management (IPM) techniques including the implementation of digital technologies are highlighted as crucial methods for maintaining crop quality and ensuring food and nutritional security. This review provides more emphasis on seed morphological and nutritional quality characterization in response to insect pest infestation as well as the development of more practical methods for lowering crop quality losses and raising the nutritional quality of agricultural products by adopting a multidimensional approach for durable insect pest management.