Formulation development of biological pesticide for safe and effective field application

Abstract

The use of pesticides is the popular method of suppression pest population in crop cultivation. Currently most of the pesticides are the synthetic-based organic compounds. They are commonly associated with unfavorable outcomes such as undesirable effect on the mammals, beneficial and non-target organisms as well as to the environment. These compounds being synthesized are normally simple in their chemical structures making them relatively easy for the pest particularly insects to develop resistance. Interest on developing and using the natural or biological pesticides has gained wider attention as consumers are more vocal in demanding natural and safe products. The alternative is biological pesticide. Biological pesticides are mass produced biologically-based agents used for the control of plant pests. They are either living organisms such micro-organisms, arthropods & nematodes or naturally occurring substances such as plant extracts and semiochemicals. The development and end product of natural pesticide should be relatively similar with the conventional pesticide in order to get the acceptance and adaptation by the farmers. The presentation described some of the challenges in developing biological pesticides particularly in formulating the biological pesticides with emphasis on biological insecticides.