Role of biopesticides in the management of nematodes and associated diseases in horticultural crops

Abstract

Technological advancements in crop protection have immensely contributed to the success of green revolution in enhancing the production of food, fiber, and fodder. To feed the ever growing global population, predicted to reach 9.1 billion by 2050, an increase in food production by 70 % is anticipated to meet the global demands. Agricultural intensification and protected cultivation technologies have resulted in the excessive use of synthetic chemical pesticides for reducing the estimated 45 % crop loss due to pests, diseases, and nematodes amounting to Rs. 290 billion per annum. However, increasing public awareness on organic food owing to the hazardous effects of these chemicals on human health and environment like pollution, pesticide residues, pest resistance and resurgence have forced the researchers and pesticide industries to shift their focus to more reliable, sustainable, and environmental friendly biocontrol agents. Biopesticides are the formulated form of active ingredients based on microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, nematodes or naturally occurring substances, including plant extracts and semiochemicals as insect pheromones. Biopesticides have overwhelming advantages of high selectivity to target pests; safety to humans and non-target organisms; amenability to individual applications and integrated pest management and suitability for organic niche products including export oriented commodities. There are about 1400 biopesticide products being sold worldwide which is expected to produce a global market of $3.2 billion by 2014. Despite several advantages in using biopesticides, the rate of their consumption is not to the optimum level in comparison with the chemical pesticides mainly due to their shorter shelf life, susceptibility to environmental conditions, expensive production systems, and efficacy problems. This alarming situation can be intervened through formulation improvements which can offer longer shelf life, minimum contamination, ease in handling and application, convenience in storage and transport, easy quality control, and export potential. This chapter deals with biopesticides, current scenario of biopesticide industry, their formulations and scope in crop management against major nematode pests and associated disease complexes in horticultural crops especially in India.