RESEARCH POTENTIAL OF PLANTS IN VIETNAM AS BOTANICAL PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS

Abstract

Botanical plant protection products are essential tools in integrated pest management, particularly in the context of organic agriculture development. This review synthesizes research on the potential use of Vietnamese plants as botanical plant protection products, including: (1) biological activities of native plant species; (2) the status of registration, production, and use of botanical plant protection products in Vietnam. A synthesis of studies shows that 571 plant species were screened (2007 - 2014), of which 48 species exhibited insecticidal activity against Spodoptera litura and 237 species showed antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Currently, 189 botanical plant protection products are permitted for use in Vietnam (accounting for 18% of total registered biological plant protection products), primarily based on five active ingredients: matrine, azadirachtin, saponin, rotenone and eugenol, though most are imported or repackaged domestically. Vietnam possesses abundant plant resources such as Azadirachta indica, Derris spp., Sophora spp., Artemisia spp. (“thanh hao”), Eucalyptus spp., Melaleuca spp. with high potential and applicability. To develop botanical plant protection products at industrial scale, it is necessary to strengthen research and screening of resource-rich plant species with low development costs and ease of application, while enhancing international cooperation to access advanced technologies, thereby promoting sustainable development of Vietnam's botanical plant protection industry.