Ocimum sp.: Source of biorational pesticides

Ecologically sustainable agriculture is an inherently self-preserving farming system. It denotes conservation of both quantity and quality of agricultural produce for prolonged time without undue resource exhaustion and vitality loss of soil and environment. Ethnobotanical plants have been utilised for pest control since early times of agricultural evolution. Biochemical biopesticides derived from Lamiaceae family (Lavender, rosemary, sage and thyme) have been well documented in literature. The literature compiled in the present document summarises the intensity and impact of research carried out with respect to biopesticidal efficacy (fungicidal, adulticidal, larvicidal, nematicidal, antihelminthic, ovicidal, oviposition deterrence, repellency, acaricidal, antileishmanial, trypanocidal) exhibited by organic, aqueous extracts and essential oils of all Ocimum sp. together as a single piece of work. Further, future challenges involved in the development of an efficacious biopesticide at the field level along with prospective opportunities of nanoscience based agricultural biopesticides have been discussed. The knowledge and data organised in this manuscript can be utilised as a reference point for future investigators exploring the application of Ocimum sp. in fight against persistence pathogens and pest.