Current and future perspectives on biopesticides analysis in soil

Abstract

Biopesticides are composed of natural elements such as microorganisms and their metabolites. Currently, these substances have gained popularity and are used in sustainable production models including organic agriculture and integrated pest management, which are characterized by partially or completely avoiding inputs of synthetic origin. There is a general belief that biopesticides are less harmful than chemical pesticides, due to their natural origin, low persistence, and lower toxicity. Nevertheless, specific biological compounds utilized as biopesticides have been reported to induce unintended effects, including the emergence of resistance in targeted species, disruptions to soil microbiota, and interference with soil enzymatic activity. Although certain aspects of these phenomena have been studied, there are still numerous uncertainties surrounding their interaction with soil, their subsequent destiny, and their environmental impact. Moreover, considering the growing prevalence of substances that have the potential to be used as commercial biopesticides and the worldwide increase in their utilization, it is imperative to conduct additional analyses. This literature review explores the current research on biopesticides, specifically their effects on soil environments and examines current methods of analysis and approaches for their quantification in soil samples.