Risks of biocontrol agents containing compounds of botanical origin or semiochemicals

Abstract

Semiochemicals and botanicals have the potential to control plant pests or diseases but before they can be used as plant protection products they have to be registered. In the registration process, the risk assessments associated with their properties and their uses have to be evaluated. These risks are linked to the toxicity on the organisms and populations, as well as the exposure. Potential hazards for humans (operators, bystanders, consumers), wildlife and the environment (fate in air, soil and water, non target organisms including the routes to which they are exposed) must be identified and evaluated depending on the uses of the end-products. Semiochemicals and botanicals are currently involved in several approaches for pest biocontrol: insect detection and monitoring, mating disruption and mass trapping for pheromones, insecticide formulations and enhancement of plant resistance for plant allelochemicals and botanicals. These approaches are discussed according to the risk assessment. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.