Essential Oils for Pest Control in Agroecology

Abstract

Currently attention has been paid towards exploitation of higher plant products in plant pest management in view of the public concern over the level of pesticide residues in food and environment causing health and ecological problems. The indiscriminate use of synthetics in crop protection has also led to the development of resistant strains of pests. Amongst plant products, essential oils of different higher plants have been formulated for large scale application as botanical pesticides in eco-friendly management of different plant pests. These products have low mammalian toxicity and are cost effective. Such products of higher plant origin may be exploited as eco-chemical and bio-rational approach in management of crop pests. Unlike conventional insecticides that are based on a single active ingredient, plant-derived essential oils comprises an array of chemical compounds which act concertedly on both behavioral and physiological processes. Thus the chances of pests developing resistance to such substances are less likely. The current status and future prospects of botanical pesticides in eco-friendly management of different plant pests are reviewed and discussed.