Sandeep Kumar
60100038500
Publications - 1
Chitinolytic Microbes for Pest Management in Organic Agriculture: Challenges and Strategies
Publication Name: Microbes Based Approaches for the Management of Hazardous Contaminants
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Volume: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 224-241
Description:
Indiscriminative and uncontrolled use of chemical pesticides in agriculture has led to environmental pollution, loss of biodiversity, and poses serious threat to human health. Organic farming aims to produce food in way that is both socially and environmentally sustainable by using natural products for pest control and supplying nutrients. Pest management in organic agriculture is challenging due to low efficacy of most of reported bio-pesticides. Microorganisms, including Bacillus thuringiensis, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Lecanicillium muscarium have been used against insects traditionally but most of these are effective against few insects or groups. Chitinolytic microorganisms are reported to be efficient biocontrol agents against most insects as they can break down chitin, the main structural component of several insect pests. However, several challenges, including formulation and delivery, environmental factors, integration with other pest management techniques, and strict biosafety norms, hamper the large-scale production and adoption of such bioformulations. Strategies for the sustainable use of chitinolytic microorganisms in organic agriculture, including the development of novel formulations and delivery systems, integration with other pest management strategies, and education and training, are discussed in this chapter. With proper implementation of these strategies, the use of chitinolytic microorganisms could significantly contribute to sustainable pest management in organic agriculture.
Open Access: Yes