MICROBIAL BIO-PESTICIDES AND BOTANICALS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SYNTHETIC PESTICIDES IN THE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

Green revolution has shown a tremendous effect in increasing the crop yields but this theme was unsuccessful in integrating with agricultural sustainability. Undue application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has caused some deleterious effects on Health and Ecosystem. Effects that are resulted through excessive usage of pesticides in agroecosystems is irreversible. The utilization of microbial bio-pesticides and botanicalsis emerging as a sustainable alternative to the chemical pesticides. These are environmentally safe. Bio-pesticides can be used to control some of the devastating plant pathogens and insect-pest’s in agriculture. This review article focuses on different kinds of Microbial Biopesticides (Entomopathogenic Fungi, Bacteria, Virus and Nematodes) and Botanicals or Botanical Pesticides (Neem, Rotenone, Pyrethrum, Ryania, Sabadilla and Eucalyptus oil) which can be used as an alternative to chemical or synthetic pesticides as a step towards sustainability in agricultural production. Biopesticides, when applied properly have an immense potential to add sustainability to agriculture and environmental safety.