Biopesticide formulations - current challenges and future perspectives

Abstract Modern agricultural production technologies, based on the widespread use of pesticides and mineral fertilizers, have made it possible to significantly solve the problem of providing the population with food, and at the same time, they have created numerous environmental and medical problems. At present, the development and application of new plant protection products that are non-toxic to humans, animals and environment is of priority importance. Biopesticides are a specific type of pesticides that derive from natural substances and materials. For example, they can originate from animal, vegetal or mineral materials. The biopesticides are derived in three major categories: biochemical, microbial and bioprotectors incorporated into the plant. They are used to control and combat diseases that occur in the vegetal crops or against pests. In the category of biopesticides are those substances that are naturally found and that fight pests through non-toxic mechanisms. For example, they are able to interfere with the insect mating or attract them in different traps, thus protecting the plants. Microbial pesticides are formulated from microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi. They kill different larvae of specific insects or interfere with weeds growth in agricultural fields. This category is also known as biological pesticides. The protectors incorporated in the plants are pesticide substances produced by plants, from genetic material. The present paper is an overview of existing research regarding biopesticide formulations for integrated pest and disease management, both for protection of crops and for post-harvest disease. Other important aspects will be taken into consideration, such as their advantages and forms of packaging. Existing regulatory framework regarding the commercialization and use of biopesticides will also be discussed.