The Potential and Green Chemistry Attributes of Biopesticides for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Chemotherapy has advanced modern agriculture with costly side effects such as the extinction of beneficial species, resistant pest resurgence, environmental pollution, tainted food consumption, and health implications. Attention is now focused on biopesticides as a solution to the abovementioned disadvantages. Additionally, there is a growing need to understand the range and relative effectiveness of biopesticides in controlling pests and promoting sustainable agriculture. The latter is the major driver of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In comparison to synthetic pesticides, biopesticides offer nearly similar protection against the most notorious pests, except Albugo candida (oomycetes), Ustilago maydis (fungi), Phytomonas spp. (protozoa), Nacobbus aberrans (nematode), and Cyperus rotundus (weed). This study shows that viruses are more vulnerable to essential oils, nematodes and weeds to natural enemies, herbivorous insects to biochemical insecticides, and plant pathogens to plant-incorporated protectants and microbial pesticides. This work also demonstrates that it is preferable to use plant-derived biopesticides in a field concurrently. Incorporating these findings into large-scale farming via the integrated pest management method would improve the outcome of sustainable agriculture (SA), which connects 11 of the 17 SDGs. Despite their proven efficacy and sustainable attributes, biopesticides have some deficiencies, such as slow action and a short shelf life span, which can be improved by omics, RNA interference, and nano-based technologies. This field of technologies provides relevant prospects for improving existing biopesticides and discovering and developing new bio-controlling agents (BCA).

Insights into insecticide-resistance mechanisms in invasive species: Challenges and control strategies

“…When they attach to sodium channels, they trigger excitatory paralysis and eventually death in insects (Davies et al, 2007). Biologically modified insects may be resistant to insecticides because they have been altered genetically to inhibit the insecticide from binding or interacting at its site of action (Fenibo et al, 2022). The second most researched resistance mechanism in a wide variety of insects is target site insensitivity.…”

Mitigating indoor air pollution in UAE's high-rise apartment buildings: a study on eco-friendly materials and adsorbents

“…Pollution source control uses eco-friendly and alternative materials to reduce indoor air pollutants, while elimination control involves converting or directly removing pollutants (Meena et al, 2021). Products such as photocatalysts, plant-derived substances and air purifiers are used for elimination control (Fenibo et al, 2022;Noor et al, 2022). Dilution control via natural or mechanical ventilation is mandatory in new apartments and can be applied during construction and management (Singer et al, 2020).…”

Ecofriendly Nanoemulsion to Promote the Wetting and Spreading of Droplet on Soybean Leaves for Regulating the Sheath Blight

“…The presence of pathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani which causes soybean sheath blight often leads to secondary infections such as root rot, leaf blight, and various other diseases. This in turn, results in severe yield losses and food safety concerns. − In many cases, chemical fungicides are applied to control these diseases. − However, the extensive use of conventional synthetic pesticide formulations raises significant concerns related to health, environment, and the development of pesticide resistance. − Increasing food safety demands have led to the search for healthier and environmentally friendly alternatives. − …”