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Botanical Pesticides Against Fall Armyworm in African Maize Systems: A Structured Narrative Review and SWOT
Trust Kasambala Donga1, Theresa Nakoma-Ngoma2, Limbikani Matumba2
1Sustainable Crop Protection Group, Crop and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Bunda Campus, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Lilongwe P.O. Box 219, Malawi .
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 12, 2026
Summary
Botanical pesticides show promise for managing the fall armyworm (FAW) in African maize. Azadirachta indica is most supported, but standardization and field validation are crucial for broader use in integrated pest management.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Entomology
- Plant Protection
- Sustainable Agriculture
Background:
- The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, significantly impacts maize production in Africa since its 2016 detection.
- Botanical pesticides are promoted as affordable alternatives to synthetic insecticides, but African research is fragmented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize the efficacy and limitations of botanical pesticides against FAW in African maize systems.
- To provide an evidence-informed SWOT analysis of botanical pesticide use.
Main Methods:
- A structured narrative review of literature published between 2016 and 2026 from Google Scholar and PubMed.
- Synthesis of data due to heterogeneity precluding meta-analysis.
Main Results:
- Azadirachta indica demonstrates the strongest laboratory-to-field evidence base.
- Tephrosia vogelii and Nicotiana tabacum show potential but face challenges with chemotype and phytotoxicity.
- Essential oils offer mechanistic insights but lack field validation and persistence.
Conclusions:
- Botanical pesticides have potential in smallholder integrated pest management for FAW control.
- Standardization, field validation, biosafety evidence, and accessible formulations are necessary for widespread adoption.
