Neem Seed Oil: Encapsulation and Controlled Release - Search for a Greener Alternative for Pest Control

Abstract

1.1 Challenge and need of environment-friendly pesticides Plants constitute the world’s primary food source and so there has been a tendency always to maximize agricultural yields which has been achieved through the development of modified high yield crops and the use of synthetic fertilizers. But this productivity is negatively hampered by plant diseases that contribute significantly to the total crop losses. One third of the world's potential food supplies are estimated to be lost to pre and post harvest pests and diseases. According to FAO [Food and Agricultural Organization] estimates, potential losses worldwide are 35% in the field and 14% in storage bringing the total loss to 50%. In Eastern and Southern Africa, these losses are estimated to be even higher. In order to mitigate these losses, pesticides are being used. The discovery of Bordeaux mixture is significant in the history of chemical control of plant diseases. The use of synthetic pesticides has undoubtedly resulted in increased crop production. However, synthetic pesticides that are used to control plant diseases are doing irreparable harm and damage to our fragile environment. Detrimental health effects, environmental issues, insect resistance or marketing opportunities for organically produced food are well-known arguments against the use of pesticides. The increasing awareness and concern about the impact of agricultural practices on the environment and in food and fiber production is promoting the concept of sustainable agriculture, thus, raising the thrust for bio-pesticides over synthetic pesticides. The increasing incidence of pesticide resistance is also fuelling the search for more environmentally and toxicologically safe and more selective and efficacious new bio-pesticides. Thus, in the context of all these challenges, the modern pesticides will be needed to meet, there arises the need of environment-friendly pesticides in order to boost agricultural production with the ever escalating world population the use of pesticide is absolute.