Agriculture has always been challenged by pests and diseases affecting crop yields. For decades, chemical pesticides have been relied upon to protect crops and increase food production. However, the extensive use of chemical pesticides has resulted in several environmental and health hazards. It is becoming increasingly important to adopt more sustainable practices in agriculture. Biopesticides present a natural and effective alternative to chemicals that can help address the issues of overdependence on synthetics.
What are Biopesticides?
Biopesticides refer to pesticides derived from natural materials like animals, plants, bacteria and certain minerals. They can be divided into three major classes - microbial pesticides, plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs), and biochemical pesticides. Microbial pesticides contain a microorganism (example - bacteria, fungus, virus or protozoa) as the active ingredient. PIPs are plants that are genetically engineered to produce substances in their tissues to protect them from pests. Biochemical pesticides include natural materials like pheromones, plant extracts and other certain minerals. Compared to chemical pesticides, biopesticides act more specifically and pose minimal risks to human health and the environment.
Advantages of Biopesticides
Some key advantages of biopesticides over chemical pesticides include:
- Low toxicity - Biopesticides are inherently less toxic than synthetic chemical pesticides. They break down quickly and do not accumulate or persist in the environment which reduces risks to non-target organisms.
- Selectivity - Microbial pesticides and plant extracts work by targeting specific pests and without harming beneficial insects or other animals. This selectivity reduces environmental impact.
- Low application rates - Biopesticides are effective in low quantities as their mode of action focuses on specific biological pathways in pest organisms. Lower doses also reduce treatment costs for farmers.
- Compatibility with IPM programs - Integrated Pest Management (IPM) advocates non-chemical control methods as the first line of defense. Biopesticides fit well into IPM strategies due to their selectivity and minimal effects on beneficial organisms.
- Organic compatibility - As natural materials derived from living organisms, biopesticides are approved for use in organic farming systems which do not allow synthetic chemical inputs. This improves market access for organic producers.
Popular Types of Biopesticides
Bacteria-based pesticides
One of the most common types of Biopesticides are bacterial pesticides which contain bacterial strains as the active ingredient. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a naturally occurring soil bacterium used commonly. Different Bt strains produce different endotoxins that are toxic mainly to certain caterpillars or beetles. Products containing Bt strains help control pests such as cabbageworms, soybean loopers and Colorado potato beetles.
Fungal pesticides
Fungi have also been developed as biopesticides. Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium spp. are fungal pathogens of insects. When applied to crops, these fungal strains attack pest insects and kill them without harming plants. They help control various insect pests such as whitefly, aphids, thrips and beetles. Other fungal biopesticides include products containing Isaria fumosorosea Wize which manage diseases of powdery mildew and gray mold in various crops.
Plant extract pesticides
Plant extracts and oils from neem, chrysanthemum, ryania, chenopodium and tobacco contain natural compounds that make effective botanical biopesticides. The active antimicrobial ingredients disturb the pest's growth, disrupt its nervous system or act as repellents. Neem-based products are popular for effectiveness in managing sucking pests, mites, scales and some fungal diseases.Products made from plant extracts offer a low risk, environmentally friendly way to control a variety of pests in agriculture.
Future Prospects
The market for biopesticides has grown steadily over the past decade and is expected to increase significantly in the coming years due to rising awareness about their benefits over chemical pesticides. Some projections estimate the global biopesticides market to touch over $8 billion by 2027. However, for biopesticides to play a major role in crop protection, certain challenges need to be addressed. Farmers require education about appropriate application techniques and integrated approaches. Product development involving locally useful formulations will boost acceptance. Robust guidelines and infrastructure are also necessary to support the biopesticides industry. With further research and collective efforts across the value chain, the viability and adoption of biopesticides can be scaled up substantially to progress towards more sustainable agriculture worldwide.
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The global biopesticides market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.7% from an estimated value of USD 4.3 billion in 2020 to reach USD 8.5 billion by 2025.
The biopesticides industry is growing at a rapid rate, because of the factors such as awareness among consumers about organically grown crops, favorable government laws and policies for biological products, the resistance of pests for chemical pesticides, and also increasing sustainable solutions in farming.
These drivers have led to intensive R to develop various biopesticides with different microbials or biochemicals so that the farmers can adopt an effective alternative to synthetic pesticides.
The demand is witnessed in different parts of the world, particularly in Europe and North America, with the fastest-growing market being Europe.The organic food industry is rising due to an increase in health awareness among consumers.
Farmers have adopted biological solutions in integrated pest management programs, which has provided a balanced approach toward reducing pest resistance.
Various governments across the world have made the registration easier for the biopesticides market, driving it further.Download PDF Brochure:https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=267Bionematicides is projected to be the fastest-growing segment among the type used in biopesticides.
