Biological activities of essential oils and lipopeptides applied to control plant pests and diseases: a review

Plants are often subject to attack by fungi, nematodes and insects, which generate immense yield losses. Hence, the quest for crop protection solutions is ongoing, concurrent with greater awareness towards the use of synthetic chemicals in agricultural practice. Scientific research has shifted towards the use of natural products, which possess good efficacy and are environment friendly. This review details two classes of natural products. The first one is the plant essential oils with their volatile constituents, which have been proven to possess antifungal, nematicidal and insecticidal activities. The second class is the lipopeptides produced by antagonistic microorganisms. Their biological activities are discussed, as they have been shown effective against plant fungi and pests. Essential oils and lipopeptides have huge potential to be used as biopesticides. The combinatorial approach between essential oils, antagonistic microorganisms and lipopeptides for crop protection is discussed, potentially both can produce a synergistic effect, resulting from their combination against plant fungi, nematodes and pests