Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
15
Plants with Pest Control Properties
Against Urban Pests
Partho Dhang 1 * and K. Purusotaman Sanjayan 2
1 Independent Consultant, Philippines; 2 Guru Nanak College, India
Introduction
neem ( Azadirachta indica ) and chrys-
anthemum ( Chrysanthemum cinerarii-
folium ) have yielded nicotine, rotenone,
azadirachtin and pyrethrin, respectively,
compounds that are currently in use. There
are other plants with biological activity that
has led to the discovery and development of
commercialized pest control products.
Several examples of the chemical modifi -
cation of such natural products, yielding
new usable chemicals, have been reviewed
by Miyakado et al. (1997). This continued
interest in natural products is anticipated to
yield more lead molecules for human use.
The interest in safe and green pest
control methods has signifi cantly increased
in the past decade, thanks to consumer
awareness. Consequently researchers and
practitioners are in search of knowledge on
alternative methods. The aim of this chapter
is to provide information to practitioners on
plants and natural products with pest con-
trol properties that often interest customers.
This article reviews and lists plants with
anti-insect properties, particularly against
household and public pests.
Plants have a long history of use as a source
of pest control. The oldest reference could
be the 4000-year-old Hindu book of Rig
Veda , which mentions the use of poisonous
plants for pest control. Also the Geoponica ,
a 20-book collection of agricultural lore
compiled during the 10th century in
Constantinople, lists a number of plants
with pest control properties such as
asafoetida, bay, cumin, cedar, hellebore,
oak, garlic and many others (Wikipedia,
2012). Egyptian Pharaohs and Romans were
also known to use insecticidal compounds
from plant sources (Thacker, 2002). A
survey of the Shengnong Ben Tsao Jing era
(25-220 AD ) shows that 267 plant species
were reported to have pest control properties
(Yang and Tang, 1988). The Ainu people of
Hokkaido, Japan and the Micmac Indians of
Newfoundland wore leggings of sedge or
bark as cloth to reduce insect biting.
Similarly, the ancient Chinese had many
prescriptions of repellents against mos-
quitoes, among other blood-sucking fl ies
(Curtis et al ., 1991).
The use of plants for pest control has
persisted. From use in their crude state to
sophisticated extraction, plants have
provided a rich source of compounds that
have insecticidal properties. Tobacco ( Nico-
tiana tabacum ), derris ( Derris elliptica ),
Plants as a Source of Insecticides
Environmental concerns owing to the use of
synthetic pesticides have forced the need
for a paradigm shift during the past few
 
 
 
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