The Potential of Using Indigenous Pesticidal Plants for Insect Pest Control to Small Scale Farmers in Africa

Angela G Mkindi,Kelvin M Mtei,Karoli N Njau,Patrick A Ndakidemi

doi:10.4236/ajps.2015.619308

Abstract

Pesticidal plants are scientifically proven for their effectiveness in controlling insect pests. Their activity is enhanced by active compounds contained, which are known for their repellant and antifeedant potentials to the insects. Use of pesticidal plants by local small scale farmers has been a point of concern following information that majority of farmers do not widely use pesticidal plants despite of an indigenous knowledge that they possess. Improvement of the technologies used by local farmers in previous times, that are easy and effective need to help farmers abstain from the use of synthetic pesticides that are detrimental to the environment and to their own health. This paper reviews the potentiality of pesticidal plants to small holder farmers. It also gives the status of pesticidal plants use, their possible effectiveness against insect pests, persistence as well as the knowledge that indigenous people possess in their use. Again, the paper suggests the need for more instrumental research on practical improvement of indigenous knowledge on the use of pesticidal plants with scientific evidences.

Highlights

The awareness and use of pesticidal plants in developing countries is growing over time following the scientific proof of damages caused by synthetic pesticides.In developing countries where massive poisoning due to the use of pesticides is increasing and posing envi-How to cite this paper: Mkindi, A.G., Mtei, K.M., Njau, K.N. and Ndakidemi, P.A. (2015) The Potential of Using Indigenous Pesticidal Plants for Insect Pest Control to Small Scale Farmers in Africa
Information in this paper is identified through Mendeley and Google scholar databases using key words like “synthetic pesticides and health”, “indigenous knowledge and botanical pesticides”, “efficacy of botanical pesticides”, agriculture, Pollinators and environment that were used interchangeably for a clear information searching
Studies obtained focused on the impacts of synthetic pesticides to pollinators, human beings and environment, indigenous knowledge that rural small holders possess on pesticidal plants use in agricultural production as well as scientific information on the efficacy of various plant species against insect pests and diseases

Summary

Introduction

The awareness and use of pesticidal plants in developing countries is growing over time following the scientific proof of damages caused by synthetic pesticides.In developing countries where massive poisoning due to the use of pesticides is increasing and posing envi-How to cite this paper: Mkindi, A.G., Mtei, K.M., Njau, K.N. and Ndakidemi, P.A. (2015) The Potential of Using Indigenous Pesticidal Plants for Insect Pest Control to Small Scale Farmers in Africa. The awareness and use of pesticidal plants in developing countries is growing over time following the scientific proof of damages caused by synthetic pesticides. In developing countries where massive poisoning due to the use of pesticides is increasing and posing envi-. Pesticidal plants as an alternative to synthetic pesticides are recognized because of their non-cytotoxicity, easy of biodegradability and simulator nature of host metabolism [2] [3]. Compounds in pesticidal plants break down rapidly, making them more environmental friendly compared with synthetic compounds [4]. They are a good alternative in crop production

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