Bio-Pesticides and Chemical Pesticides : Mode of Action, Advantages and Disadvantages

Biopesticides Advantages

Biopesticides are non toxic to the plants completely.
Biopesticides increase the chlorophyll and protein content in the plants.
Biopesticides are eco-friendly in nature and do not cause any kind of physiological damage to the organisms.
Biopesticides can be used in very small amount like 4 to 5 sprays per crop per season.
Biopesticides prevent the multiplication of the insects.
Biopesticides are bio-degradable as they are made from the natural source and hence they do not retain any residue or toxins.
Biopesticides do not effect (are not harmful to) the useful micro organisms, pollinating insects or earthworms.
The biopesticides are safe to handle, safe in storage, for transport and to spray.
Biopesticides do not affect the fertility of the soil.
Biopesticides do not undergo any chemical reaction.
Biopesticides can be produced in large quantities and can be stored safely.
Biopesticides are non-toxic to the human beings and hence can be sprayed in the inhabited areas (living areas) also.
Biopesticides acts as insecticides, fungicides, viricides, insect repellants.
Biopesticides also act as growth nutrients.

Chemical Pesticides

Chemical pesticides are poisonous in nature.
Chemical pesticides destroy the chlorophyll and proteins in the plants.
Excessive application of these Chemical pesticides cause environmental pollution.
Chemical pesticides cause physiological damage and ecological imbalance.
Chemical pesticides are to be sprayed in large quantities like 10-20 sprays per crop per season.
Chemical pesticides cause mutations in the insects which results in the appearance of new species of insects.
Chemical pesticides retain toxic substances on the plants and are harmful to the human beings.
Chemical pesticides are also harmful to the pollinating insects and useful micro organisms.
Chemical pesticides need to be handled carefully and care has to be taken during transport and spraying.
These Chemical pesticides adversely effect the soil fertility.
These Chemical pesticides may sometimes lead to uncontrollable toxic and harmful chemical reactions.
If these chemicals are sprayed in habited areas, they produce hazardous effects on human beings.
These Chemical pesticides are not economical as different products are necessary as insecticides, fungicides, viricides and insect repellants.

Effect on animals

1. Organophosphorous compounds and carbamates – Inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase

2. Chlorinated hydrocarbons and Pyrethroids – Neurotoxication

3. Nicotinoids – Inhibition of neuromuscular junction

Effect on plants

1. Carbamates, substituted ureas, triazines – Inhibition of photosynthesis

2. Carbamates – Inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation

3. 2,4-D; 2,4,5-T – Hormone analogs

4. Metals like sulphur – Causes have not yet identified

5. 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole – Inhibition of chlorophyll synthesis

6. Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons – Inhibition of pantothenate synthesis