Abstract

With the increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices, the efficacy and sustainability of natural pesticides in plant protection, providing a critical assessment of their potential as alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides is the basic demand of the future. This study aimes to examine the diverse categories of natural pesticides, including plant-based, microbial, and mineralbased options, and evaluate their effectiveness against a broad range of pests and diseases. We examine the environmental impact of natural pesticides on non-target organisms, their persistence and degradation, and the potential for bioaccumulation, focusing on their reduced chemical residues and ecological compatibility. Typically, natural pesticides target specific areas of the insect, like its nervous system, leading to the insect's downfall, loss of coordination, paralysis, and eventual death. The majority of botanical pesticides affect the target organism by poisoning its stomach, lungs, or other bodily systems. Sincebotanical pesticides are typically fairly biodegradable and may be quickly broken down by the stomach acids of mammals, their toxicity to humans and animals is typically quite low, and they are environmentally beneficial. Natural pesticides offer significant environmental, health, economic, and social benefits, making them an essential component of modern sustainable agriculture. Their use supports ecological balance, human safety, and long-term agricultural productivity. Overall, it highlights the promising efficacy and sustainability of natural pesticides, underscoring their potential for enhancing plant protection while minimizing environmental risks.

Keywords: Pesticides, essential oils, growth inhibition, toxicity, bioaccumulation, sincebotanical pesticides.