The role of KEFRI in the propagation and conservation of botanical plants germplasm

Abstract

The use of botanicals in the management of agricultural pests is rapidly gaining prominence worldwide because they are less costly, less toxic, more readily available and easier to use than chemical pesticides. Furthermore, agricultural production of pyrethrum, the biopesticide of choice in many countries has gradually declined overtime and no longer meets the increasing global demand. This calls for urgent measures to improve productivity of pyrethrum while seeking alternative sources of safe and affordable pesticides. Although KEFRI's mandate comprises research in forestry and allied natural resources, focus has previously been on wood and non-wood forest products and services other than botanicals. However, many of the tree and shrub species being investigated and promoted under various Research and Development (R&D) programmes posses immense pesticidal properties and harbour great potential for research and development in this important flagship area. In this paper, some of the current flagship areas of research and a few of the priority tree and shrub species are listed and reviewed for their pesticidal properties. Given the current demand for alternative biopesticides, there is opportunity for more research on tree and shrub species with potential as alternatives to current pesticidal plants and synthetic pesticides.