Are Basic Substances a Key to Sustainable Pest and Disease Management in Agriculture? An Open Field Perspective

Plants (Basel). 2023 Sep 1;12(17):3152. doi: 10.3390/plants12173152.

Abstract

Pathogens and pests constantly challenge food security and safety worldwide. The use of plant protection products to manage them raises concerns related to human health, the environment, and economic costs. Basic substances are active, non-toxic compounds that are not predominantly used as plant protection products but hold potential in crop protection. Basic substances' attention is rising due to their safety and cost-effectiveness. However, data on their protection levels in crop protection strategies are lacking. In this review, we critically analyzed the literature concerning the field application of known and potential basic substances for managing diseases and pests, investigating their efficacy and potential integration into plant protection programs. Case studies related to grapevine, potato, and fruit protection from pre- and post-harvest diseases and pests were considered. In specific cases, basic substances and chitosan in particular, could complement or even substitute plant protection products, either chemicals or biologicals, but their efficacy varied greatly according to various factors, including the origin of the substance, the crop, the pathogen or pest, and the timing and method of application. Therefore, a careful evaluation of the field application is needed to promote the successful use of basic substances in sustainable pest management strategies in specific contexts.

Keywords: disease management; integrated pest management; organic farming; pest management; sustainable crop protection.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

The authors of this work participated in the collaborative Euphresco project “Basics—Basic substances as an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides for plant protection”. No fundings were received by Euphresco. Antonio Ippolito, Annamaria Mincuzzi, and Gianfranco Romanazzi received fundings within PRIMA StopMedWaste “Innovative Sustainable technologies to extend the shelf-life of Perishable Mediterranean fresh fruit, vegetables, and aromatic plants and to reduce WASTE,” which is funded by the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), Project ID: 1556, a program supported by the European Union.