Annona reticulata bio-insecticidal extract for managing major crop insect pests

Overview

This solution offers a plant-derived bio-insecticidal formulation based on crude aqueous extracts of Annona reticulata leaves, developed at ICRISAT for managing key agricultural pests. Laboratory bioassays demonstrated significant insecticidal activity, achieving 78–88% mortality against three economically important crop pests — Helicoverpa armigera (cotton bollworm), Myzus persicae (green peach aphid), and Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) — at a 10% extract concentration. Spray applications on curry leaf (Murraya koenigii), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) reduced field infestations by approximately 85%, yielding healthy produce. The extract also exhibited strong antioxidant capacity, with 93.63% DPPH scavenging activity at 50 µL.

The technology addresses a growing market need. India's biopesticide sector was valued at USD 64.73 million in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 130.37 million by 2029, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 9.38%. As regulatory and consumer pressure mounts to reduce synthetic pesticide use, this botanical extract provides a sustainable, environmentally friendly alternative for integrated pest management programs.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Crude aqueous leaf extract of Annona reticulata with broad-spectrum insecticidal activity
• Effective against lepidopteran pests (Helicoverpa armigera, Spodoptera frugiperda) and sucking pests (Myzus persicae)
• 78–88% mortality achieved at 10% concentration under replicated laboratory bioassays
• 85% reduction in field pest infestation across multiple host crops
• High antioxidant activity (93.63% DPPH scavenging at 50 µL), suggesting additional crop protection benefits
• Suitable for spray application on vegetables and horticultural crops

Research basis:

Preliminary work was conducted under the Initiative for Research & Innovation in Science (IRIS) program, supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The research team has identified the need for detailed metabolic profiling of both target and non-target metabolites to fully characterize the active compounds.

Technology readiness level

The extract is currently at an early-to-mid stage of development (TRL 3–4). Laboratory proof-of-concept has been established through replicated in-vitro mortality bioassays, and preliminary spray trials on host plants have validated field-relevant efficacy. Remaining validation steps include stability testing to quantify shelf life, phytochemical analysis to identify secondary metabolites, dosage standardization across pest species, greenhouse and open-field efficacy trials across pest life stages, and assessment of bio-efficacy on natural enemies to ensure ecological safety. The technology is not yet commercially available and requires further development before regulatory approval and market entry.