Summary
This comprehensive review examines flavonoids—a class of polyphenolic plant compounds—as potential biopesticides and complements to conventional synthetic insecticides. The authors synthesise evidence on flavonoid bioactivity against crop pests, including their modes of action and structure–activity relationships, whilst addressing practical challenges in field application. The work positions plant-based flavonoids as a promising avenue for reducing agrochemical dependence whilst mitigating resistance development, soil microbiota impoverishment, and water contamination.
Regional applicability
The review's findings on botanical insecticide alternatives are relevant to UK farming policy promoting reduced pesticide dependency and organic production standards. However, UK applicability depends on whether the reviewed studies included temperate crop systems and UK-endemic pest species; the abstract does not specify the geographic origin of included research.
Key measures
Mechanisms of flavonoid action against insects; structure–activity relationships; bioactivity efficacy; biodegradability and toxicity profiles relative to synthetic pesticides
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises current research on flavonoids' potential as insecticides for crop protection, examining their modes of action, structure–activity relationships, and practical challenges in pest management applications. It identifies mechanisms underlying flavonoid bioactivity against phytopathogenic insects and proposes alternatives to overcome implementation barriers.
Topic tags
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