Advantages of Bio Pesticides

Advantages of Bio Pesticides 

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. At  the end of year 2001 there were approximately 195 registered biopesticide active ingredients and 780 products.

Biopesticides fall into three categories

Micorbial pesticides

Micorbial pesticides consist of a microorganism [e.g bacterium, fungus, virus or protozoan] as the active ingredient. Microbial pesticides can control many different kinds of pests, although each separate active ingredient is relatively specific for its target pests. 

For example, there are fungi that control certain weeds, and other fungi that kill certain insects. The most commonly used microbial pesticides are subspecies and strains of Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. Each strain of this bacterium produces a different mix of proteins and specifically kills one or a few related species of insect larve.

Plant-Incorporated-Protectans [PIPs]

Plant-Incorporated-Protectans [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 the genetic material, but not the plant itself, are regulated by EPA [Environmental Protection Agency].

The Biochemical pesticide

The Biochemical pesticides are naturally occurring substances that control pests by non-toxic mechanisms. Conventional pesticides by contrast are generally synthetic materials that directly kill or inactivate the pest. 

Biochemical pesticides include substances, such as insect sex pheromones that interfere with mating, as well as various scented plant extracts that attract insect pests to traps. 

Because it is sometimes difficult to determine whether a substance meets the criteria for classification as a biochemical pesticide, EPA has established a special committee to make such decisions.

Advantages of Bio pesticides

1. Biopesticides are inherently  and usually less toxic than conventional

2. Biopesticides generally only affect the target pest and closely related organisms.In contrast the conventional or chemical pest affect all the organisms even birds, mammals and insects.

3. Biopesticides often are effective in very small quantities and often decompose quickly, there by resulting in lower exposures and largely avoiding the pollution problem caused by conventional or chemical pesticides

4. When used as component of Integrated Pest Management [IPM] programs, biopesticides can greatly decrease the use of conventional pesticides, while crop yields remain same.

Share on Google Plus

About Info Beez

This is a short description in the author block about the author. You edit it by entering text in the "Biographical Info" field in the user admin panel.