Subject Name : Biopesticides and Biocontrol Agents

(Mass multiplication and uses)- PPATH4411

Topic Name : History of Biopesticides. Scope and
importance.
Lecture Number: 01
Faculty Name : Dr. Manas Mathur
Department Name: Agriculture
Reference/Text Books
Biofertilizer and Biopesticide” Hardcover - Mar 2011  by Shalini Sur
"Biofertilizers and Biopesticides” Hardcover - 2014 by H C Lakshman
."Biopesticides Handbook” Hardcover - 2008  by NPCS Board of Consultants &
Engineers
Biopesticides and Biocontrol agents” by Shalini Suri.
Biopesticides - Introduction

Insects, plant disease and weeds are major constraints to

food crop production.

Becoming more difficult to control by conventional methods.

like Pesticide resistance, product withdrawals.

Need to control emerging threats.

Integrated Crop Management (ICM) seen as the way
forward(of IPM) as Framework for reduced chemical
pesticide.

Combines complementary ‘pest’ control methods

includes chemical, biological, cultural and physical
controls, plant resistance and decision support systems
• Make an important contribution to ICM
– Help reduce reliance on chemical pesticides

• Major role to play in sustainable farming

– Conventional and organic systems
– Reduce artificial chemical inputs
 What is a Biopesticide
• Range of definitions and terminologies
– Can be confusing
– Essentially a broad group of agents
• Defined as
– Mass produced
– Biologically based agents
– Used to control plant pests, diseases and weeds
• Positive benefits
– Environmental welfare
– Food safety
• Wider commercial uptake requires
collaboration between
– Governments and regulators
– Agrochemical industry
– Farmers
History of Biopesticides

In 17th century plant extracts were used as prominent source of agricultural biopesticides.

In 19th century they were replaced by mineral oils.

The early 20th century is growing era of production of biopesticides from different sources like
microbes, fungus nematodes etc but latter half had reduced production due to large scale
use of chemical pesticides.

Bacillus thuringiensis is first and most widely used as biopesticide.

Currently, biopesticides comprise a small share of the total crop protection market globally,
with a value of about $3 billion worldwide, accounting for just 5% of the total crop protection
market. In the United States (US) market, more than 200 products are available, compared
to 60 analogous products in the European Union.