A growing number of farmers are becoming aware of eco-friendly pest control. These biopesticides control pests without the environmental harm associated with standard pesticides.
By using biopesticides it’s possible to improve the health of your plants and increase crop yields in a sustainable way. These non-toxic, environmentally friendly pest control substances are all derived from natural materials.
The biopesticide market is attracting the attention of farmers worldwide. This is clearly indicated by a 15% annual growth rate predicted for the next five years.
Are you interested in sustainable farming and using biopesticides? In this article, we’ll look at what these substances are and how they can benefit your operation.
How Do Biopesticides Work?
There are a wide variety of different types of biopesticides. Some of these target problem insects. While others control plant pathogens, like damaging molds and fungus.
The first category of biopesticides is biochemical pesticides. These are natural substances like neem oil and pyrethrum. They control pests directly or in some cases to lure them into traps.
The second category is Microbial pesticides. These are living microorganisms, such as bacteria that attack pests at different stages of their lifecycle. They work by infecting the insects or by producing proteins that are fatal to insects that eat them.
A common bacteria used to control insects is Bacillus thuringiensis. There are a number of different species of this bacteria and each one controls a specific species of insect.
The third category is Plant Incorporated Protectants (PIPs). These involve the combining of genetic material from beneficial bacteria with plants. The result is that the plants themselves become toxic to the pests.
How Biopesticides Contribute to Sustainable Farming
Biopesticides control pest numbers through a diverse range of actions. This means there is no chance of pests developing resistance to them, as happens with regular pesticides.
They are also none of the issues of toxic pollution, biodiversity loss, and chemical accumulation. These problems are only associated with regular pesticide use. Biopesticides target specific pests and do not indiscriminately affect a wide range of other wildlife.
Biopesticides have existed in various forms for many years. Yet they are still not commonly used in commercial farming. Only a few companies are actively involved with pioneering new biopesticides.
Leading the market is Marrone Bio Innovations. They have developed and commercialized several naturally derived pest control solutions. As more farmers become aware of the dangers involved with regular pesticides these new products can replace their use.
The Future of Eco-Friendly Pest Control
Biopesticides are a vital part of creating a sustainable future. This is particularly true for large-scale mechanized farming. The longer it takes farmers to adopt these eco-friendly forms of pest control the more damage is done to the environment.
Pesticide resistance poses a significant risk to farmers. It could soon affect our ability to provide enough food for our growing population. By targeting these pests with natural biopesticides we can mitigate this risk.
Biopesticides offer farmers an opportunity to transition into a more sustainable future.
