Natural products in plant protection

Natural products can be used to control pests and diseases in crops. These products include anorganic compounds, but also a variety of plant extracts. In the beginning of this century active microbial extracts were discovered as well. Synthetic crop protection chemicals were developed from about 1940 onwards and sustained progress in modern agriculture. The first generation chemicals have aspecific modes of toxic action and are in many instances deleterious to the environment. The second generation chemicals have specific modes of action and meet modern environmental requirements. A disadvantage of these chemicals is the potency of target organisms to acquire resistance. This condition urged agrochemical industry to develop chemicals with new modes of action. Such chemicals can be developed by using natural bioactive products as leads in synthesis programmes. This paper decribes the progress that was made in the development of natural bioactive compounds in pest and disease control.     

Authorization requirements for organisms as plant protection products in Austria

In Austria, beneficial arthropods and entomopathogenic nematodes ('macrobials'), as well as micro-organisms and viruses, are classified as active substances of plant protection products, according to the Federal Law on Transactions with Plant Protection Products which entered into force in 1991. Therefore, naturally occurring organisms, intended for use in the field of plant protection, must be authorized as plant protection products before they are permitted to be sold. Requirements for the authorization of macrobials, micro-organisms and viruses and the authorities involved are presented. The legislative regulations for the use of macrobials, micro-organisms and viruses as plant protection products are described. At the beginning of 1996, 35 plant protection products containing 21 different organisms have been authorized in Austria for use in agriculture, horticulture and forestry.     

Introduction to the efficacy evaluation of plant protection products

Specific scope

This Standard describes the overall process of efficacy evaluation of plant protection products in the registration procedure.

Specific approval and amendment

First approved in 2003‐09. Revision mainly to reflect zonal assessment approved in 2012‐09.     

Principles of efficacy evaluation for microbial plant protection products

Specific scope

This standard describes the principles for determining the requirements for an efficacy evaluation (effectiveness and crop safety) of plant protection products containing micro‐organisms in a registration procedure.

Specific approval and amendment

First approved in 2012–09.