Evaluation of plant-derived products against pests and diseases of medicinal plants: A review

Medicinal plants are attacked regularly by insects, mites, nematodes, bacteria, fungi and viruses. Leaf and seed extracts in water (5–10%), seed cakes (250 kg ha−1), crude oils (0.5–3%) or essential oils (3000 ppm) have been effectively used to control inter alia, the sap sucking pests, foliar diseases and root-knot nematodes. Traditional and commercial products, especially those derived from neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) leaf or kernel, are common in medicinal crops. Since use of plant products including allelochemicals resulted in reasonably effective, ecofriendly and cheaper pest and disease management, and crude extracts are easy to prepare, they may be integrated in crop protection strategies to enhance global exploration of medicinal plants.

► Plant-derived products controlled pests and diseases of medicinal plants.
► Allelochemicals, leaf/seed extracts, crude oils or seed cakes were effective.
► Local 29 plants including neem have been evaluated for product bioefficacy.
► Chemical standardization, non-target effects and regulatory approval are the constraints.