In this Ambassador report, I would like to share about the biopesticide we learned during our Entomology class.

Biopesticides are certain types of pesticides derived from such natural materials as animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals. For example, canola oil and baking soda have pesticidal applications and are considered biopesticides. In 2014, there are more than 430 registered biopesticide active ingredients and 1320 active product registrations. (EPA USA)

Biopesticides fall into three major classes:

1. Microbial pesticides which consist of bacteria, entomopathogenic fungi or viruses (and sometimes includes the metabolites that bacteria or fungi produce). Entomopathogenic nematodes are also often classed as microbial pesticides, even though they are multi-cellular.

2. Plant-Incorporated-Protectants (PIPs) are pesticidal substances that plants produce from genetic material that has been added to the plant. For example, scientists can take the gene for the Bt pesticidal protein, and introduce the gene into the plant's own genetic material. Then the plant, instead of the Bt bacterium, manufactures the substance that destroys the pest. The protein and its genetic material, but not the plant itself, are regulated by EPA.

3. Biochemical pesticides or herbal pesticides are naturally occurring substances that control (or monitor in the case of pheromones) pests and microbial diseases.

Did you know some of the plants in your home/kitchen garden, in your pots and at the kitchen table have biopesticide peoperties. Like, Neem is one of the most popular plants known to have biopesticidal properties. Neem is especially popular in Nepal and India. So is Tulsi( Ocimum sanctum) which can be used as medicinal and pesticidal purpose as well. Bakaina?s leaves (Melia azadirachata) can also be used as biopesticide.

Also, powder chillies are known to deter the onion fly. Garlic shows its effect on soft bodied insect like Aphids. Likewise cumin is found to be effective against Epilochna. Some other plants like Plantago, Zea mays male flower( which are generally of no use after pollination), velvet beans are considered to have insectidial properties. In addition, plant extracts of cassava, papaya, sweet potato, tea, Solanum nigrium, Mexican marigold, tobacco leaves, coffe,ate also have insectidia/pesticidal peroperties.

Some of the advantages of using Biopesticides over the synthetic one are:

1. Its eco-friendly, economic and effective.

2. There is optimum utilization of the locally available resources.

3. Such bio-pesticides don?t have residual effect

4. They are biodegradable.

5. When used as a component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, biopesticides can greatly decrease the use of conventional pesticides, while crop yields remain high.( EPA USA)

We often have such plants in our home. So next time we have the attack of pest, let?s first make it sure we use those local ingredients available at our home and garden to combat against such pest before opting for synthetic pesticides. Let?s promote the use of biopesticide and let?s begin it from our own home, from our own garden.

I would like to share a link that I found very interesting to read while I was searching for more information about bio-pesticide.

 http://www.arpnjournals.com/jabs/research_papers/rp_2012/jabs_1112_491.pdf

 References:

http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/tbio.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biopesticide

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/whatarebiopesticides.htm

 Biopesticide and Integrated Pest Management (GK Ghosh)