Seaweed as a Potential Source of Biopesticidal Action on Economically Important Agronomic Pests

Seaweeds are macroscopic algae and are widely distributed across the world. They are considered living renewable resources and take more time to decompose. Seaweeds are a good source of secondary metabolites, macro & micro nutrients etc. Active compounds from seaweeds hold a wide range of biological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, pesticidal activity etc. The designed review aimed to document the pesticidal activity of economically important agricultural crop pests. Mostly the methanolic, acetonic, and ethanoic extracts have significant pesticidal activity to S. litura, D. cingulatus, P. scintillans, T. castaneum, H. armigera, A. devastans, and D. melanogaster etc. The pesticidal compounds derived from plant material are used as biopesticide formulations. Biopesticides are non-hazardous to animals as well as the environment. Apart from the pesticidal activity, seaweeds also reduced the insect growth and biological fitness. Among biological fitness, the detoxification enzymes play a vital role in insects to develop resistance to insecticides. As a result, the detoxification enzymes are reduced while insects automatically develop resistance to biopesticides, and enhanced plant growth and yield. Hence, the review recommended using seaweeds as biopesticides for pest management programs, and that in the future, more research is needed to successfully formulate and use of seaweeds.