Biorational Pesticides Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Biorational Insecticides, Biorational Fungicides, Biorational Nematicides), By Source (Botanical, Microbials, Non-Organic), By Mode of Application (Foliar Spray, Soil Treatment, Trunk Injection) And Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

In recent years, the application of biorational pesticides has considerably evolved. The use of natural pesticides is gaining popularity globally. The trend of biorational pesticides is emerging across the globe owing to the rising awareness of the harmful environmental use of synthetic chemical pesticides.

Biorational pesticides refer to the class of pesticides of natural origin, and their use has no adverse effects on the environment. According to the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the application of birorational pesticides poses a lesser risk to the animals and the environment. The different types of biorational pesticides are botanicals, microbial pesticides, minerals, and few synthetics.  

Botanicals are derived from plants and plant extracts such as Chenopodium ambrosioides. These products have limited applicability as they break down when exposed to light and air. EPA has exempted them from registration as they are minimum-risk pesticides. Microbial pesticides are developed from living microorganisms such as Bacillus thuringiensis, Beauvaria bassiana and others. Minerals such as Kaolin clay and copper hydroxide, which are mined from the earth, are also used to produce biorational pesticides. Lastly, synthetics such as growth regulators are also used to strengthen the immune system of the plants.

Biorational pesticide products usually function by targeting specific organisms without affecting other non-target organisms present in the vicinity. As biorational pesticides are highly selective in their target, proper identification and selection of target insect pests is an essential part of the process. 

Biopesticides, organic pesticides, minimum-risk pesticides, and biological control are different categories of biorational pesticides. The types of biopesticides include microbial pesticides, plant-incorporated protectants, and biochemical pesticides.

The use of chemical pesticides on plants causes environmental pollution as well as affects several other organisms that may be beneficial for the environment. On the other hand, the biorational pesticides target specific organisms and acts on them without affecting non-target organisms. The cost of biorational pesticides is also comparatively lower than chemical pesticides. Additionally, they are not harmful for the environment due to their natural origin as they do not cause any pollution. The government is also encouraging farmers to adopt biorational pesticides to manage pest in the fields. For instance, In India, to simplify the registration of biorational pesticides, Central Insecticide Board & Registration Committee has developed simplified guidelines to ensure that the products are registered without any obstacle. All these factors are a major drivers to boost the growth of biorational pesticides in the global market. Biorational pesticides are available in both dry and liquid forms.

Biorational pesticides have a low shelf life which negatively affects the demand of the target market.

Key Players Covered:

The key players of the global biorational pesticides market are Valent Biosciences,  Bayer, Monsanto BioAg, BASF, DowDuPont, and Syngenta.

Among the mode of application, foliar spray is highly effective in applying the fertilizers directly to the plants. With the use of the foliar application, the pesticides can be applied easily in a short period; hence, they can address the demands quickly. This technique is also the most cost-effective method of using insecticides on crops.

Biorational insecticides are expected to witness strong sales performance owing to the growing demand for natural substances to control the growth of insects. In several countries, the government is also encouraging replacing chemical pesticides with natural pesticides. For instance, conventional insecticides such as organochlorines used to kill insects, including mosquitoes, are replaced with biorational insecticides in California.

Botanical segment is expected to witness promising growth because of the increasing use of botanical pesticides to control the pest. Plant extracts such as neem oil, canola oil, and substances such as pyrethrin and azadirachtin are used for controlling the pest and ensure that plants remain healthy.  

Recent trends have shown that nanotechnology is one of the latest technologies used in the market to protect plants against pests. Using this technology as a part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) will help control the pest population and minimally affect the environment. The use of biorational pesticides will also help reduce the dependency on chemical alternatives and prevent pesticide resistance in the target pests.

Regional Analysis:

North America is expected to exhibit strong market growth due to rising awareness about natural pesticides among farmers. The increasing trend of organic products is projected to drive the demand biorational pesticides in the market. The growing understanding of the negative impact of artificial pesticides on the environment also drives the demand for new product formulations, thereby supporting the growth of the North American region.

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• In 2021, Valent BioSciences, a global leader in Biorational solutions launched MetaLarv XRP. The new product by Valent helps to protect against mosquitoes with the use of Triple Release technology. MetLarv also helps to destroy breeding ground of the West Nile virus.