Agrochemical Applications for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

The vast majority of pharmacognosy research is focused on drug discovery for human ailments. However, the discovery of new plant and animal protectants that have low mammalian and environmental toxicity are needed Worldwide. The availability biopesticides to protect humans and animals against insects and insect vectored diseases has come to the forefront following natural disasters such as tsunamis, tropical cyclones, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. Research emphasis at the US Department of Agriculture's Natural Product Utilization Research Group has been on the discovery and development of alternative approaches to utilizing natural plant products for pest management. Discovery and evaluation of natural product based biopesticides is largely dependent upon the availability of suitable miniaturized antifungal and insect bioassays and is a primary facilitator in coordinating the testing of limited source materials. Through research collaborations within the Agricultural Research Service we evaluate natural compounds and their analogs as fungicides against a wide variety of fungal plant pathogens, insecticides for fruits and ornamentals, as adult mosquito deterrents and toxicants, mosquito larvalcides, tick deterrents, and new baits to control imported fire ants. This presentation will focus on a number of chemical compounds and essential oils derived from aromatic and medicinal plants that have application as novel plant and animal protectants. Through a 10 year long ongoing collaboration with Turkish scientists we have collectively published more than 17 peer reviewed journal articles on medicinal and aromatic plants as unique botanical sources for new agrochemical applications.