Have biopesticides come of age?

Glare, Travis R.; Caradus, J. R.; Gelernter, Wendy; Jackson, Trevor A.; Keyhani, Nemat O.; Köhl, J.; Marrone, Pamela G.; Morin, L.; Stewart, Alison

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2012.01.003

Cited by 598 publications

(368 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Ecologically important as regulators of insect populations, and distributed throughout almost all ecosystems, entomopathogenic fungi are also of significant interest as potential biological control agents against different insect pests, in particular, as more environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides (15). Several isolates of the Ascomycetes Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae have been successfully used worldwide to control insects of both agricultural and medical importance (16)(17)(18)(19).…”

Section: Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

Tenebrionid secretions and a fungal benzoquinone oxidoreductase form competing components of an arms race between a host and pathogen

Pedrini

Ortiz‐Urquiza

Huarte‐Bonnet

et al. 2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

123

118

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Entomopathogenic fungi and their insect hosts represent a model system for examining invertebrate-pathogen coevolutionary selection processes. Here we report the characterization of competing components of an arms race consisting of insect protective antimicrobial compounds and evolving fungal mechanisms of detoxification. The insect pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana has a remarkably wide host range; however, some insects are resistant to fungal infection. Among resistant insects is the tenebrionid beetle Tribolium castaneum that produces benzoquinone-containing defensive secretions. Reduced fungal germination and growth was seen in media containing T. castaneum dichloromethane extracts or synthetic benzoquinone. In response to benzoquinone exposure, the fungus expresses a 1,4-benzoquinone oxidoreductase, BbbqrA, induced >40-fold. Gene knockout mutants (ΔBbbqrA) showed increased growth inhibition, whereas B. bassiana overexpressing BbbqrA (Bb::BbbqrAO) displayed increased resistance to benzoquinone compared with wild type. Increased benzoquinone reductase activity was detected in wild-type cells exposed to benzoquinone and in the overexpression strain. Heterologous expression and purification of BbBqrA in Escherichia coli confirmed NAD(P)H-dependent benzoquinone reductase activity. The ΔBbbqrA strain showed decreased virulence toward T. castaneum, whereas overexpression of BbbqrA increased mortality versus T. castaneum. No change in virulence was seen for the ΔBbbqrA or Bb::BbbqrAO strains when tested against the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella or the beetle Sitophilus oryzae, neither of which produce significant amounts of cuticular quinones. The observation that artificial overexpression of BbbqrA results in increased virulence only toward quinone-secreting insects implies the lack of strong selection or current failure of B. bassiana to counteradapt to this particular host defense throughout evolution.

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Section: Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

Tenebrionid secretions and a fungal benzoquinone oxidoreductase form competing components of an arms race between a host and pathogen

Pedrini

Ortiz‐Urquiza

Huarte‐Bonnet

et al. 2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

123

118

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“…In general, biopesticides are considered environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides derived from microorganisms, natural sources or processes [21,23]. This unique class of bio-based pesticides is produced by genetic incorporation of DNA into agricultural commodities to prevent damage from pests or diseases [22,23].…”

Section: Overview Of Biopesticides -Types and Mode Of Actionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Biopesticide is a generic term for pest control measures that utilize bioactive microbes derived from plant and animal sources for sustainable crop protection [20,21]. More importantly, biopesticides are biodegradable alternatives to the synthetic insecticides currently utilized for pre-and post-harvest control of crop pests and diseases.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to Mazid and Kalita [15], biopesticide utilization is a sustainable agriculture technique with minimal, often harmless residues in harvested food crops and the environment [15]. As a result, there has been growth in global market penetration, although biopesticides still account for a small fraction of pest control products [21].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is mostly due to widely reported issues such as the high cost, poor efficacy, and inconsistent field performance associated with biopesticide utilization [21]. In addition, lack of knowledge, cohesive advocacy, and other factors have conspired to limit biopesticide use in Nigeria -and Africa in general.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Current status, challenges, and prospects of biopesticide utilization in Nigeria

Ivase¹,

Nyakuma

Ogenyi³

et al. 2017

Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Agriculture and Environment

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Abstract. The toxicity, persistence, and non-biodegradability of chemical pesticides have increased calls for the adoption of sustainable and cost-effective pest control measures. Biopesticides present a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides. However, the biopesticide utilization in agrarian countries like Nigeria remains low, resulting in increased chemical pesticide utilization. Therefore, this paper seeks to examine the current status, challenges, and prospects of biopesticides in Nigeria. The findings revealed that biopesticide utilization in Nigeria is low due to high costs, poor infrastructure, skilled manpower alongside inconsistent field performance and government policies. The solution to these challenges will significantly boost crop protection, food security, and sustainable agriculture in Nigeria.

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