Azadirachtin-Based Insecticide: Overview, Risk Assessments, and Future Directions

In the context of major crop losses, pesticides will continue to play a key role in pest management practice absence practical and efficient alternatives; however, increasing awareness regarding environmental human health impacts conventional as well development resistance cross-resistance reduced their availability promoted search for alternative control strategies reduced-risk pesticides. Among various alternatives, drastic re-emergence interest use plant-derived compounds, called allelochemicals, was noted demand an organic product is rising. Currently, azadirachtin, tetranortriterpenoid derived from neem seed Indian tree [ Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae)], one prominent biopesticides commercialized remains most successful botanical pesticide agricultural worldwide. Azadirachtin powerful antifeedant insect growth disruptor with exceptional low residual power toxicity biocontrol agents, predators, parasitoids. This review summarizes state art on azadirachtin insecticidal activities risk assessment, identifies knowledge gaps that could serve basis future research direction highlights limitation novel by nanotechnology its release rate improve stability sustainability.