Microbial Pesticides: A Nigerian Perspective on Sustainability of Health and Agriculture

Abstract

The concerns on the use of insecticides have been in areas of agriculture and human health. Insect pests populating the farms damage crops leading to food insecurity. The use of chemical insecticides to treat insect infestation is quite popular in Nigeria in area of food crop production and in animal and human health management. These chemical insecticides often pose some health challenges to man and animals hence the need for safer bio-pesticides. Microbial insecticides consist of living cells of microorganisms Research method employed was by collection of secondary data from literatures on previous research works done. These include reports, journal articles, seminars, symposia, and conference papers. Literatures were collected online using the Dennis Osadebay University e-library. These organisms are reared using basic microbiological techniques. Mode of action of microbial pesticides is by contact, which is by entering the host through the outer protective covering or the intestine of the insect. These microbes act on the host (insects) either by elimination or by altering some of their physiological functions. They may act directly on the insects or by the action of their toxins. The toxins can be used independently as bioactive substances in place of the microbial species. Microbial insecticides can be applied as sprays, dusts, liquid drenches, liquid concentrates, wet-table powders or granules. The bio-insecticides have the capacity to ensure the safety of humans and other non-target organisms. They leave less or no residue deposits in food and are ecologically friendly.