Plants as an alternative to the use of chemicals for crop protection against biotic threats: trends and future perspectives

This review entails a critical appraisal on the potential of plants as alternatives to synthetic chemicals for crop protection, aligning with the global shift towards green-based approaches in agriculture. Utilising a defined set of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 235 papers were extracted from Scopus. These articles were analyzed to address specific research questions related to plant-based biocontrol methods. Approximately 25% of the literature was published in journals such as "Industrial Crops and Products", "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry", "Pest Management Science", and "Frontiers in Microbiology". Thematic analysis identified core focus areas, including the chemical properties of antifungal agents, bioactive compounds, environmental protection, and the use of fungicides. Italy and China emerged as countries with the most represented authors, while China, India, and USA led in scientific production, corresponding authors' publications, and citation impact. We identified 91 plant species from 28 families, notably from the Lamiaceae, with strong potential as biocontrol agents. The most promising plants were Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco, Mentha piperita L., Foeniculum vulgare L., Coriandrum sativum L., and Allium ascalonicium L. This study offers valuable insights and practical applications in the field of plant-based biocontrol, thereby underscoring the relevance and efficacy of green-based approaches in contemporary agricultural practices. There is an increasing scientific interest in sustainable crop protection strategies and the potential of plant-based biocontrol agents in addressing biotic stresses in crops. Overall, this review contributes to the understanding of plant-based biocontrol for crop protection, providing a foundation for further research and application in sustainable agriculture.