ABSTRACT
The use of biopesticides offers encouraging alternative for organic farming and safe crop-management practices. Certain nonbeneficial microorganisms may interfere with the survival of plant pathogens and, as a result, contribute to biological control of pests. To enhance the efficacy of biopesticides, managing the physical and chemical environment during storage is necessary. The antagonistic microorganisms are screened for their efficacy under the mandatory storage conditions and those that satisfy the requirements are targeted for use. Sometimes it is necessary to add products like salicylic acid, a naturally occurring phenolic compound, for enhanced efficiency as in the case of Cryptococcus laurentii in pear, apple, and cherry. Similarly, Rhodotorula glutinis, used in combination with salicylic acid, effectively controls the postharvest gray and natural spoilage of strawberries better than the application of R. glutinis or salicylic acid alone [1]. Initially, this chapter will focus on the general modes of action of biopesticides, while the latter half will focus on the specific modes of action with special reference to bacterial, fungal, viral, nematodal, protozoal, or natural products-based biopesticides.
