April 2021 - 32

BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY
BIOPESTICIDES
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29
seeds), citric acid, essential oils,
pyrethrins, soybean oil and extract of
the giant knotweed are used for their
acaricidal, insecticidal, fungicidal,
nematicidal, or herbicidal properties.
Microbials: Some of the microbial
pesticides have live microorganisms
(such as entomopathogens, Bacillus
spp., Streptomyces spp., and
Trichoderma spp.) while others
(such as Burkholderia rinojensis
and Chromobacterium subtsugae)
have heat-killed microorganisms
and fermentation solids as the active
ingredients. Entomopathogenic
microorganisms [Bacillus thuringiensis
(bacterium), Beauveria bassiana and
Cordyceps fumosorosea (fungi),
Heterorhabditis spp. and Steinernema
spp. (nematodes), and granuloviruses
and nucleopolyhedroviruses] primarily
kill their hosts through infection;
microbe-based fungicides antagonize
plant pathogens through competitive
displacement and production of toxic
metabolites; nematophagous fungi
parasitize plant-parasitic nematodes;
and plant pathogenic bacteria, fungi,
and viruses infect and suppress weeds.
Bacteriophages, which are viruses that
parasitize bacteria, are used against the
plant pathogenic species of Clavibacter,
Erwinia, Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas,
Xylella and other genera.
Toxins and other organic molecules:
There are multiple examples of toxic
organic molecules derived from various
organisms. Avermectins from the
bacterium Streptomyces avermitilis
and spinosad from the bacterium
®
The Grower's Advantage
Since 1982
Saccharopolyspora spinosa, strobilurin
from the mushroom Strobilurus
tenacellus, and cerevisane from the
yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are
some of the microbial toxins that
are effective against insects, plantparasitic
nematodes, or snails and
slugs. A venom peptide from the Blue
Mountains
funnelweb
spider,
Hadronyche
versuta, from
Australia is
a recently
developed
insecticide
active
ingredient with
its unique mode
of action class.
Chitosan, a polysaccharide from the
exoskeleton of shellfish, is a fungicide.
Minerals and other natural
SURENDRA K.
DARA
materials: Diatomaceous earth, mineral
oil and minerals, such as sulfur, are
used for controlling multiple categories
of pests. Potassium salts of fatty acids
of plant or animal origin, known as
insecticidal soap, have insecticidal
and fungicidal properties. Organic
acids, such as acetic acid and citric
acid, are derived from plants and have
fungicidal and herbicidal properties.
Since these are different from other
botanical extracts, they are placed in
this category.
Except for the microbial pesticides
Effective Plant Nutrients and Biopesticides
to Improve Crop Quality & Yield
ORGANIC
Contains Auxiliary Soil & Plant Substances
®
ORGANIC
Plant Nutrients & Adjuvants
®
®
Herbicide EC
that have live microorganisms, most
biopesticides have chemical molecules of
microbial, fungal, botanical or mineral
origin and work through various
modes of action similar to synthetic
pesticides. Several synthetic pesticides
are developed from natural molecules.
Abamectin, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids,
spinetoram and strobulurins are
synthetic analogs based on avermectins,
pyrethrins, nicotine, spinosad and
strobulurin, respectively, and were
developed for improved stability, safety,
or ease of commercial-scale production.
Integrated pest management and
Botector
Biofungicide
®
GARGOIL
Blossom Protect™
Bactericide
INSECT, MITE & DISEASE CONTROL
®
For more information, call (800) 876-2767 or visit www.westbridge.com
32 | FruitGrowersNews.com
resistance management: Biopesticides
are very diverse in their origin
and mode of action and have been
successfully used in several cropping
systems for managing a variety of
pests. They have complex interactions
with plants, soil microbiota, pests
and environmental conditions. It is
critical to have a good understanding
of the source of biopesticides and how
they act on their target pests. Certain
biopesticides may have special storage
and handling requirements or tankmixing
restrictions. It is essential to
refer to the manufacturer's guidelines
or label instructions to avoid
incompatible tank-mix combinations,
understand proper application
sequences, and to store, transport and
apply under unfavorable conditions.
While it is very important to use
biopesticides as a part of the IPM
program and tools for IRM, caution
http://www.westbridge.com http://www.FruitGrowersNews.com
April 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2021
