The biochemistry behind biopesticide efficacy

Biopesticides have the potential to play an important role in sustainable, environmentally safe pest control. A diverse range of biopesticides employ chemical modes of action. This review explores three such biopesticides: a fungus used in weed control, beneficial bacteria controlling fungal and bac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sustainable chemical processes 2014-11, Vol.2 (1), Article 18
Main Authors: Hubbard, Michelle, Hynes, Russell K, Erlandson, Martin, Bailey, Karen L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemistry
Chemistry and Materials Science
Chemistry/Food Science
Review
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Summary:Biopesticides have the potential to play an important role in sustainable, environmentally safe pest control. A diverse range of biopesticides employ chemical modes of action. This review explores three such biopesticides: a fungus used in weed control, beneficial bacteria controlling fungal and bacterial disease and a virus active against insect pests. Through these case studies, we demonstrate that biopesticides rely on both chemical and biochemical approaches and complementary biological modalities. Hence, biopesticides are more complex than synthetic pesticides. The latter typically utilize a single chemical with a single mode of action, while the former often have more complex or holistic modes of action. The success of current and future biopesticides could be enhanced through increased research focusing on the chemistry involved.
ISSN:2043-7129
2043-7129
DOI:10.1186/s40508-014-0018-x