ABSTRACT
Pest control has been effectively achieved by using various chemical pesticides, which have helped to prevent crop lose and increase income. However, high intensity of chemical pesticide application and its mismanagement have created serious worldwide environmental issues in recent years. There is a growing need to promote the use of alternative methods of crop protection. A number of efforts are made to substitute chemical pesticides with biopesticides, which are environmentally friendly and naturally available. Biopesticides are typically microbial biological pest controlling agents applied in a manner similar to chemical pesticides. They are available in different formulations and are inherently less harmful than conventional pesticides, as they suppress rather than eliminate pest population to levels vulnerable to natural enemies. Biopesticides are effective, often quickly biodegradable, and present no residual problems. These are mostly self-perpetuating and safe for nontarget organisms and humans. However, some disadvantages are their high specificity, slow speed of action, and requirement of suitable conditions for their survival. Since biopesticides are better for controlling agriculture pests than chemical pesticides, farmers have been encouraged to use them more to control pests.
