Molecular Perspectives on Biotech-Based Biopesticides and Transgenic Approaches for Insect Pest Management
Abhishek Kumar Yadav *
Department of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur-208002 (U.P.), India.
Lakshmi Pandey
Department of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur-208002 (U.P.), India.
Vandana Yadav
Department of Entomology, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya-208002 (U.P.), India.
Suraj Soni
Department of Entomology, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya-208002 (U.P.), India.
Sonam Tiwari
Department of Entomology & Agricultural Zoology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005 (U.P.), India.
Vaibhav Kumar
Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva Bharati, Sriniketan, Birbhum, West Bengal, 731236, India.
Arvind Kumar
School of Agricultural Sciences, IIMT University, Ganganagar, Meerut (U.P.), India.
Sourabh Maheshwari
ICAR- National Institute of Biotic Stress Management, Raipur, Chhattisgarh- 493 225, India.
Preeti Yadav
Department of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur-208002 (U.P.), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Control of insect pests has been revolutionized by the strength of biotechnology with the emergence of biopesticides and transgenic crops having high molecular specificity against target insects and low dependence on traditional chemical insecticides. Biotech-based biopesticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins, RNA interference (RNAi) molecules, and viral diseases interfere with fundamental physiological and genetic processes in insect pests. Transgenic plants like Bt-expressing and RNAi-releasing crops offer long-term, in planta pest control with enhanced sustainability. The existing molecular understanding of mechanism of action, delivery platforms, resistance mechanisms, and environmental impacts for these technology alternatives in this review is integrated. Recent advances in formulation chemistry, nano-delivery platforms, and gene editing offer hopeful avenues toward maximizing efficacy and delaying the development of resistance. Molecular monitoring and integrated resistance management are critical in ensuring long-term success. Last but not least, new technologies such as synthetic biology and CRISPR-based gene drives possess disruptive potential for targeted pest control. Integrating these molecular technologies with integrated pest management systems with a generic architecture will be the secret to sustainable agriculture and world food security.
Keywords: Transgenic crops, Bacillus thuringiensis, RNA interference, insect pest management, molecular insecticides, CRISPR-Cas9, gene editing, molecular diagnostics