Botanical biopesticide combination concept—a viable option for pest management in organic farming

Abstract

Abstract Background Entomopathogens are frequent natural enemies of arthropods worldwide, and they are capable of alternative control agents against the important pests. The optimally selected botanical product can minimize their harmful effect on these entomopathogens, and it becomes essential to know the influence of combinations of botanicals and biopesticides (botanical biopesticide combination (BBC)) in comparison to their sole action. Main body Botanicals, especially neem products, are highly efficient to be combined with the entomopathogens (with some exceptions). There are many possible reasons for the synergistic action of these botanicals, attacking the immune system of the insect being one of the important ones. These botanicals when applied in combination with microbial pesticides showed maximum sublethal effects rather than complete mortality, making them the best alternatives for combating resistance development in insects. To work effectively, biological control agents must be used within a compatible program combined with botanicals. It is highly difficult for such products to compete with chemical controls in high-value crops, so where they can become a commercially viable option in organic cultivation. The increasing acreage is under organic production for high-value export crops, where pesticide residues are undesirable for the environment, and biopesticides and botanicals are good choices for crop protection. Concerning the effect of these products used in pest control, a significant reduction in dosage in relation to the individuals is noticed. Conclusion By combining the performance and safety, biopesticides and botanicals are efficacious. This knowledge should facilitate the choice of biopesticides compatible with less harmful or naturally occurring botanicals. And if these have to be incorporated into a pest management program through an organic approach, it is necessary to determine the effects of botanicals on the beneficial microbes, on the behavior of pest, the importance of application technique, and the role of application timing for these botanical biopesticide combinations.

Keywords

• Entomopathogens
• Botanicals
• Synergism
• Combinations
• Neem
• Organic agriculture