NEXT-GENERATION MICROBIAL BIOPESTICIDES FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: OMICS, FORMULATION AND PRECISION DELIVERY
Abstract
The increasing dependence on synthetic pesticides has raised concerns regarding environmental contamination, pesticide resistance, biodiversity loss and soil health, creating an urgent need for sustainable pest management strategies. Microbial biopesticides offer an environmentally compatible alternative by utilizing bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and entomopathogenic nematodes to suppress agricultural pests and plant pathogens. This review highlights recent advances in microbial biopesticides, with particular emphasis on their diversity, mechanisms of action, formulation and delivery technologies and applications in organic and eco-friendly crop protection. Microbial agents act through diverse mechanisms, including toxin production, antibiosis, competition, parasitism, enzymatic degradation, direct infection and induction of plant defence responses. Advances in encapsulation, nano-enabled formulations, omics, microbial consortia, genetic improvement and artificial intelligence are further expanding their potential. Despite challenges associated with environmental sensitivity, formulation stability, field consistency, commercialization and regulatory requirements, strategic integration with integrated pest management can improve their effectiveness. Microbial biopesticides therefore represent an important pathway toward sustainable agriculture and reduced dependence on synthetic pesticides. Keywords: Microbial biopesticides, Organic farming, Eco-friendly pest management, Integrated pest management, Sustainable agriculture
