Eco-Friendly Management of Insect Pests and Plant Diseases Using Botanical Extracts

Abstract

Insect pests and plant diseases are major constraints to global crop production, causing severe yield losses, economic costs, and environmental degradation. Conventional reliance on synthetic pesticides has generated resistance in pests and pathogens, contamination of ecosystems, and health risks to humans and beneficial organisms. Botanical extracts, derived from plants rich in bioactive compounds such as azadirachtin, pyrethrins, and essential oils, provide promising eco-friendly alternatives. These extracts act through diverse mechanisms, including repellency, feeding inhibition, growth disruption, antimicrobial activity, and induction of plant defense pathways, thereby reducing the risk of resistance development. Case studies in cereals, legumes, and vegetables demonstrate their effectiveness under greenhouse and field conditions, with commercial formulations of neem, pyrethrum, and essential oils already in use. Advantages include biodegradability and low toxicity to non-target species, but challenges such as short residual activity, variable efficacy, high production costs, and regulatory hurdles limit wider adoption. Advances in formulation technologies (nanoemulsions, encapsulation), exploration of underutilized plant species, and integration with biological and cultural practices within integrated pest management (IPM) frameworks offer pathways to overcome these barriers. This review highlights the potential role of botanical extracts in sustainable agriculture and emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary research, farmer-oriented innovations, and supportive policies to accelerate their global adoption.