Gene to Field: Biotechnological Interventions against New-Age Crop Pests
Sandeep K
*
Department of Entomology, Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga-577204, Karnataka, India.
K.V.L Supraja
Department of Entomology, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad-500059, Telangana, India.
Aslam
Department of Entomology, Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga-577204, Karnataka, India.
Kishore S.M
Department of Entomology, Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga-577204, Karnataka, India.
Bharathisha S.M
Department of Agronomy, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, India.
Manikanta M. R
Department of Entomology, Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga-577204, Karnataka, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
World agriculture continues to intensify while climate driven insect migration speeds up between geographic areas to cause agricultural producers to battle new insect pests which endanger both yield production and food safety standards. When measured comparatively pest control methods specifically chemical pesticides have demonstrated diminished operational effectiveness compared to their peak results. The increasing resistance of insects to chemical agents causes damage to helpful insect populations while disrupting ecosystem stability in natural areas. The future potential of biotechnology became evident as new sophisticated pest control systems started to emerge within the last few years. The article examines several modern control concepts including genetically altered organisms that resist insects (Bt crops) along with RNAi technologies and newer gene-editing tools like CRISPR/Cas as well as mechanisms to manage insect microorganisms and symbiotic partners. Modern pest management methods permit highly targeted control approaches which protect the environment. Several progress strategies in pest management face multiple obstacles from the potential for pest adaptation to new technologies along with complex implementation needs along with uncertain natural ecological situations and complex regulatory rules and public resistance. Future integration of ecological initiatives with biotechnological methods will unite local communities with farmers to achieve sustainable practices through supportive policy development. Multiple combined approaches indicate that sustainable pest control solutions will lead to increased effectiveness throughout future time periods.
Keywords: Biotechnological pest control, emerging insect pests, RNA interference, CRISPR, gene drive, endosymbionts, integrated pest management