5. Plant extracts for pest control: applications and preparation methods.

Abstract

Pests limit agricultural production, so chemical control is used to reduce the damage they cause to crops. However, chemical pesticides contain substances toxic to health and the environment. To decrease the use of chemicals, the application of plant extracts has been implemented, as they contain bioactive compounds with pesticidal properties. Therefore, the objective of this article was to examine information on the application of plant extracts for pest control and their preparation methods. It was found that plant extracts are mainly applied as insecticides, larvicides, acaricides, and fungicides, due to their bioactive compounds, which stimulate plant resistance and interfere with the biological processes of pests. These compounds can be extracted using different methods, the most promising being the simultaneous use of ultrasound/microwaves, since ultrasonic waves and the rapid heating of intracellular water cause cell rupture, releasing the compounds in less time and with less solvent. In this sense, plant extracts are a sustainable option for pest control; likewise, the extraction method and conditions such as temperature, time, and solvent influence their effectiveness.