Bacterial Biopesticides and Their Use in Agricultural Production

Abstract

Biopesticides are naturally occurring substances (biochemicals), microbes and plants, and environmentally safe pesticides, and amidst its numerous types, bacterial biopesticides are used extensively and is of prodigious importance. The inclusive use of biopesticides is substantial in prospective aids to agriculture and public health programmes; hence, usage of such bacterial biopesticides can be beneficial in such programmes. Biopesticides are key components of integrated pest management (IPM) programs, which are gaining consideration by means of reduced synthetic chemical product extent used to control several plant pest, diseases, and safeguard stored crop produce. A huge number of bacterial-derived products are introduced into market among which quite a few have already played a vital role. Bacterial 24pesticides have different mechanisms to control pests, pathogens, and weeds where they might act as competitors or inducers of host resistance in plant or by inhibiting growth, feeding, development, or reproduction of a pest or pathogen. The aim of this chapter is to provide a synopsis on use of bacterial-derived biopesticides for pest management and to deliberate the current development and application of their various types. This chapter encloses thorough classification of Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus sphaericus based biopesticide along with their insecticidal, mosquitocidal, nematicidal, and antimicrobial activities. This section divulges great potential for auxiliary manipulation of bacterial-derived biopesticides in fortification of plants. India has a vast potential for bacterial biopesticides but its adoption by farmers in India needs education for maximum benefit. The stress on organic farming and on residue-free commodities would certainly warrant increased adoption of bacterial biopesticides by the farmers. Being target pest specific, it is presumed to be relatively safe to non-target organism including humans.