Role of fungal metabolites as biopesticides: an emerging trend in sustainable agriculture

Abstract The overpopulation and rapid expansion of urban lifestyles has accelerated global demand of food supply, which has triggered unprecedented destruction of forest land and created a heavy toll on the ecosystem. Each year a large portion of agricultural crops are destroyed by different kind of pest infestations, which ensures the use of chemical pesticides despite their toxic aftereffects. The fungi and fungal metabolites are playing a crucial as well as potential role in the biopesticide industry. The inter- and intraspecific competition, rapid hyphal growth, ability to absorb water and nutrients, and phytoremediation features are critical arsenals of fungal biocontrol agents. A number of secondary metabolites were recognized and certified as biocidal, nematocidal, and weedicidal agents. Here we have provided details of large number of fungal metabolites and fungi and discussed their interesting mechanism of action as biopesticide. This chapter has also highlighted the future-research aspects and commercialization requirements of fungal-biopesticides as an integral part of sustainable agriculture.