Molecular Entomology 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 179-191 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/me 179 Research Insight Open Access Role of Biopesticides in Integrated Pest Management for Maize Xian Zhang, Guifen Wang Hainan Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, Sanya, 572000, China Corresponding email: guifang.wang@hitar.org Molecular Entomology, 2024, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/me.2024.15.0022 Received: 05 Sep., 2024 Accepted: 06 Oct., 2024 Published: 17 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhang and Wang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhang X., and Wang G.F., 2024, Role of biopesticides in integrated pest management for maize, Molecular Entomology, 15(5): 179-191 (doi: 10.5376/me.2024.15.0022) Abstract Biopesticides play a crucial role in the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of maize, offering an environmentally sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides. This study assesses the efficacy, benefits, and challenges of using biopesticides in maize pest management. Key biopesticides, including microbial agents such as Bacillus thuringiensis and botanical extracts like neem, have demonstrated significant effectiveness in controlling major pests, particularly the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). This study highlights advancements in biopesticide formulation, including encapsulation technologies and genetic modifications, which have enhanced the stability and application of these agents in varying environmental conditions. Additionally, the integration of biopesticides with precision agriculture and other IPM components has proven to optimize pest control while reducing the ecological footprint of maize farming. Despite their potential, challenges such as production costs, regulatory barriers, and pest resistance are limiting factors for wider adoption. The review concludes by discussing future directions in research and policy needed to accelerate the global use of biopesticides in maize IPM, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices. Keywords Biopesticides; Integrated Pest Management; Maize; Sustainable Agriculture; Fall Armyworm 1 Introduction Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most widely cultivated crops globally, playing a crucial role in food security and economic stability. However, maize cultivation faces numerous challenges, particularly pest infestations that affect the crop at various growth stages, including pests like the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp.). These pests not only significantly reduce yields but also increase production costs. While chemical pesticides have been used to manage these pests, they have led to environmental pollution and increased pest resistance, highlighting the urgent need for more sustainable pest management solutions (Gassmann and Clifton, 2017). Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a sustainable pest control strategy that combines biological, physical, and chemical methods to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides while protecting the environment. Biopesticides, as a key component of IPM, are gaining popularity due to their natural, environmentally friendly properties and minimal impact on non-target organisms. In maize cultivation, microbial biopesticides like Bacillus thuringiensis and Entomopathogenic fungi such as Metarhizium rileyi have proven effective in pest control. Additionally, botanical pesticides (e.g., neem) and biochemical pesticides (e.g., pheromones) have been widely adopted in IPM systems for maize (Mnif and Ghribi, 2015; Parajuli et al., 2022). This study explores the role of biopesticides in integrated pest management for maize, evaluating the efficacy of different biopesticide types and their environmental and economic impacts on pest control, revealing challenges in the commercialization and widespread application of microbial, botanical, and biochemical pesticides in maize pest management, with the aim of providing recommendations and solutions for sustainable agriculture development. 1 Types of Biopesticides Used in Maize Cultivation 1.1 Microbial biopesticides Microbial biopesticides are derived from living organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that are pathogenic to pests. Among the most well-known microbial biopesticides is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a bacterium that
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