Author: Preety Ekka, Somnath Roy, Azariah Babu & Bose Manikandan
Citation: Ekka, Preety, et al. "Microbial and Botanical Biopesticides: a Green Strategy for Tea Pest Management." Journal of Crop Health 78.2 (2026): 50.
Abstract:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10343-026-01311-3
Biopesticides offer a sustainable alternative for pest management in tea plantations. This review paper focuses on the effectiveness of different biopesticides in managing tea pests and their possible integration into the integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Entomopathogenic bacteria, fungi, viruses and plant extracts are extensively studied biopesticides, for their effectiveness against tea pests. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains are widely used to control leaf miners, leaf rollers, and lepidopteran pests, with some causing 100% mortality. Chitinase enzymes of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus cereus offer promising approaches to pest management. Fungi like Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, and Verticillium lecanii, have proven effective against termites, aphids, mealy bugs, and red spider mites. Viruses including nucleopolyhedrosis virus (NPV) and granulosis virus show high mortality rates in pests like Adoxophyes privatana and Eterusia magnifica. Plant extracts of native varieties like Azadirachta indica, Lantana camara, and Sophora flavescens have demonstrated insecticidal, repellent, and antifeedant properties against pests including Oligonychus coffeae, Helopeltis theivora, Andraca bipunctata, and Hyposidra talaca. High antifeedant activity has been observed in extracts from Aegle marmelos and Coriandrum sativum, while Xanthium strumarium exhibits strong repellent effects. These eco-friendly methods provide a range of benefits, including pest mortality, feeding inhibition, and reduced reproduction, making them valuable tools in integrated pest management strategies.
Author: Preety Ekka, Somnath Roy, Azariah Babu & Bose Manikandan
Citation: Ekka, Preety, et al. "Microbial and Botanical Biopesticides: a Green Strategy for Tea Pest Management." Journal of Crop Health 78.2 (2026): 50.
Abstract:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10343-026-01311-3
Biopesticides offer a sustainable alternative for pest management in tea plantations. This review paper focuses on the effectiveness of different biopesticides in managing tea pests and their possible integration into the integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Entomopathogenic bacteria, fungi, viruses and plant extracts are extensively studied biopesticides, for their effectiveness against tea pests. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains are widely used to control leaf miners, leaf rollers, and lepidopteran pests, with some causing 100% mortality. Chitinase enzymes of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus cereus offer promising approaches to pest management. Fungi like Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, and Verticillium lecanii, have proven effective against termites, aphids, mealy bugs, and red spider mites. Viruses including nucleopolyhedrosis virus (NPV) and granulosis virus show high mortality rates in pests like Adoxophyes privatana and Eterusia magnifica. Plant extracts of native varieties like Azadirachta indica, Lantana camara, and Sophora flavescens have demonstrated insecticidal, repellent, and antifeedant properties against pests including Oligonychus coffeae, Helopeltis theivora, Andraca bipunctata, and Hyposidra talaca. High antifeedant activity has been observed in extracts from Aegle marmelos and Coriandrum sativum, while Xanthium strumarium exhibits strong repellent effects. These eco-friendly methods provide a range of benefits, including pest mortality, feeding inhibition, and reduced reproduction, making them valuable tools in integrated pest management strategies.