A Review of the Microbial Biopesticides: Types and Applications

Abstract

The aim of this study is to carry out a detailed review of the literature on microbial pesticides, types and applications. This is because the term microbial biopesticides is a broad array from micro-organisms and other natural sources, and processes involving the genetic incorporation of DNA into agricultural commodities that confer protection against pest damage (plant-incorporated protectants). Some microbial pesticides, such as Bacillus thuringiensis, have a long history of safe and effective use as a biological insecticide. More recent developments in microbial pest control include the utilization of other bacterial and fungal species that may competitively inhibit the growth of pathogenic and toxigenic micro-organisms on important agricultural commodities. The study adopts an extensive review of literature such as conference papers, journal articles, internet sources, books to find out the effects of microbial biopesticides, types and applications as reported by past authors with the help of standard literature procedures in their research work. These secondary sources of information were reviewed to understand the microbial biopesticides, types and applications. Authors in this study found that the use of microbes and their gene products introduces additional considerations to the toxicological dose-response relationship, including a need to determine the plausibility of infectious and immunological effects in association with human exposure to these biopesticides in food or the environment. Studies of substantial equivalence suggest that foods currently derived from plant-incorporated protestants are not likely to differ from conventional foods. However, there is general consensus that the scientific methods to assess risks from genetically modified foods and micro-organisms will continue to evolve in the future. Keywords: Microbial Biopesticides: Types: Applications: Pest Control