Microbial Bio-Pesticides and Their Use in Integrated Pest Management
Asela Kesho
Abstract
Crop pest management in agriculture is important to safeguard crop yield and increase productivity. The need for sustainable and eco-friendly pest management practices is strongly felt with the increasing awareness of the harmful effects of the synthetic insecticides on the non- target organisms, humans and the environment. The demand for bio-pesticides is rising steadily in all parts of the world. Therefore, the current study was carried out with the objectives to review, note and have the know-how all about microbial bio-pesticides and their use in pest management program. When used in integrated pest management systems, bio-pesticides efficacy can be equal to or better than conventional products, especially for crops like fruits, vegetables, nuts and flowers. Microbial bio-pesticides can be smart inputs and components in integrated pest management program. By combining performance and safety, they perform efficaciously while providing the flexibility of minimum application restrictions, superior residue and resistance management potential, and human and environmental safety benefits. It is very likely that in future their role will be more significant in agriculture and forestry. Bio-pesticides clearly have a potential role to play in development of future integrated pest management strategies hopefully, more rational approach will be gradually adopted towards bio-pesticides including microbial bio-pesticides in the near future and short-term profits from chemical pesticides will not determine the fate of bio-pesticides.