ABSTRACT

Essential oils play a major role in nature for the plants that produce them in order to protect the plants against bacteria, fungi, and viruses as well as against herbivores and pests (Bakkali et al., 2008). Since pollution of our environment and intoxication of mammalians with pesticides and herbicides is a severe problem all over the world, it is necessary to look for healthier alternatives. Especially natural products such as essential oils offer an enormous potential for agricultural usage since most of them are nontoxic to vertebrates and do not harm our ambience. Even though there are so many advantages of essential oils, some disadvantages must also be mentioned, like the slow action and short duration of effectiveness as well as the high quantities needed. The object of this compilation is to review the chances and problems of the use of essential oils in agriculture.