Author(s): Minakshi Agrawal, Manas Ranjan Satpathy and Debaraj Parida

Abstract: With the rising population, it is imminent to raise the food production very rapidly. But, for the improved productivity, crop plants and stored products are being harmed by pests acts as a major barrier. Pathogens consume either leaves and roots or ingest plant sap, resulting in significant reductions in crop yields. Chemical pesticides are used generally to manage these pests. But, the application of different forms of pesticides poses toxic and harmful effects on the environment. Pests are also gaining resistance by the prolonged use of such chemicals. Therefore, there is a growing concern worldwide for substitution of such chemical pesticides. Entomopathogenic fungi, when utilized as biopesticides, have the ability to infect and eliminate insects and pests. Metarhizium is a fungus that has been found efficient in controlling insects and pests such as termites, beetles, and locusts. Beauveria bassiana serves as a parasite against different arthropods, leading to the development of white muscardine disease. These fungi invade the host and target the digestive system. At the end, the fungus causes the host's internal organs to stop functioning. Trichoderma enhances plant development and boosts plant. The way they work to kill insects includes attaching a spore to the insect's outer covering, then the spore germinates, penetrates the outer covering, and spreads throughout the insect. Therefore, they function as a sustainable way to manage pests and contribute to environmental friendly crop development practices.

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