🎒 Biopesticides and Botanicals

This lesson builds core elective concepts in BSc Agriculture with practical applications and exam-oriented clarity.

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Biopesticides and Botanicals

Biopesticides are pest management agents derived from natural materials such as microorganisms, plant extracts, and minerals. They offer an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides and are central to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic farming.

Types of Biopesticides

Microbial Biopesticides

Organism	Target	Product Example
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)	Lepidopteran larvae (bollworms, caterpillars)	Bt kurstaki, Bt aizawai
Trichoderma viride / harzianum	Soil-borne fungi (Fusarium, Rhizoctonia)	Trichoderma formulations
Beauveria bassiana	Sucking pests, borers	White muscardine fungus
Metarhizium anisopliae	White grubs, termites, grasshoppers	Green muscardine fungus
Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV)	Helicoverpa, Spodoptera larvae	HaNPV, SlNPV
Pseudomonas fluorescens	Bacterial wilt, root rot	Biocontrol formulations

Botanical Pesticides

Derived from plant extracts with pesticidal properties:

• Neem (Azadirachta indica) — the most important botanical pesticide
  • Active ingredient: Azadirachtin
  • Acts as antifeedant, insect growth regulator, and repellent
  • Effective against over 200 insect species
  • Available as neem oil, neem seed kernel extract (NSKE 5%), and formulated products
• Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium) — fast knockdown action against flying insects
• Rotenone — from Derris and Lonchocarpus plants; effective against beetles and caterpillars
• Nicotine — from tobacco; contact poison for soft-bodied insects

Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs)

• Bt crops — genetically modified crops expressing Bt toxin genes (e.g., Bt cotton in India)
• The plant itself produces the insecticidal protein, providing season-long protection

Advantages of Biopesticides

• Low toxicity to non-target organisms and humans
• No residue problems — safe for food and environment
• Biodegradable — decompose quickly in the environment
• Compatible with IPM and organic farming systems
• Lower risk of resistance development compared to chemical pesticides

Limitations

• Slower action compared to synthetic pesticides
• Shorter shelf life — sensitive to temperature and UV light
• Host-specific — may not control a broad spectrum of pests
• Higher cost per unit of active ingredient in some cases
• Require proper storage conditions (cool, dry, dark)

Registration and Quality

• Biopesticides are registered under the Insecticides Act, 1968 in India
• CIB&RC has simplified registration norms for biopesticides
• Quality parameters include CFU count (for microbial products), azadirachtin content (for neem products), and shelf life

Biopesticides and botanicals are gaining importance as sustainable pest management tools, especially with rising consumer demand for residue-free and organic produce.

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Summary Cheat Sheet

Topic	Key takeaway
Main focus	Biopesticides and Botanicals — types, mechanisms, neem-based products, Bt, Trichoderma, and their role in sustainable pest management.
Section context	Revise this lesson with the rest of Bio Alternatives for stronger conceptual continuity.