Probing Green Pesticides in Dir Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

Abstract

The present study focuses survey of essential oils containing plants termed as `Green pesticides` in Dir Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is a high altitude region, rich in medicinally important species. 25 plant species of 10 genera belonging to 07 families are explored in 25 various locations during 10 field surveys. The species rich in essential oils possess pesticidal, insecticidal, antifeedant, repellent, ovipositor deterrent, growth regulatory and antivector activities. Among the explored species, 12 are abundantly available for large scale production of pesticides, 10 are rare while 03 species are vulnerable. Family Lamiaceae is found to consist of 07 important species. Recent investigations of 72 plant species worldwide signify some constituents interfere with the octopaminergic nervous system in insects, unlike mammals, make these chemical substances relatively non-toxic to mammals and fish in toxicological tests, and meet the criteria for “reduced risk” pesticides. Significance of this exploratory research work in countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Bangladesh, which are rich in endemic plant biodiversity lies in future integrated pest management (IPM) programs due to their safety to non-target organisms and the environment.