Bio-based integrated pest management in rice: An agro-ecosystems friendly approach for agricultural sustainability

Abstract

Climate change, environmental pollution and depletion of natural resources are among the prominent potential challenges for sustainable crop production and environment management in modern agriculture. Rice production systems have threatened with insect pests and weeds that significantly contribute to yield losses. Although control of insects, pests and weeds has remained the major effective plant protection tool, yet hazards to environmental safety urge the scientific community to propose alternative pest management strategies. Apprehensions about conventional agriculture sustainability have impelled the extensive introduction of integrated pest management (IPM). Bio-based IPM is one of the important component for controlling insect-pests, and weeds in rice, as it is environmentally benign, effective, and economically viable. In the present article, we analysed several studies to highlight the: (1) description of practices related to IPM in rice, (2) progress regarding the bio-based integrated insect pests and weed management with possible implications and scope, (3) allelopathy effectiveness for weed management in rice, and (4) present dilemmas and proposed future research directions. Briefly, this article explores the opportunities for the scientists and rice farmers to maximize the utilization of diverse natural control agents as a partial or total substitute for synthetic pesticides.