Possibilities of Using Essential Oils against Pests: Review

ABSTRACT: Due to the increase in the world's population, the need for food has increased and with the

rapid increase in industrialization and faulty agricultural practices, the existing agricultural areas have

decreased and more yield has been obtained from the unit area. As a result of intensive production with

conventional agriculture, faulty practices and changes in climatic events have led to an increase in diseases

and pests. In this context, while the most effective struggle in the management of increasing diseases and

pests is seen as chemicals, the application of these pesticides causes soil, water, and environmental

pollution and residues in food. These residues may cause negative effects on living organisms such as

mutations, toxicity, and different morphological or physiological symptoms. However, to minimize

chemical inputs in crop production and to minimize their negative effects, one of the alternative control

methods has been the use of essential oils against agricultural diseases and pests. Approximately 1/3 of

the existing plant species contain essential oil. Considering the rich plant biodiversity due to the

geopolitical location of our country, it is of great importance to include these plants containing essential

oils in the control of diseases and pests to ensure sustainability in agriculture. In this study, information

about the possibilities of using essential oils against pests in agriculture and the results obtained are given.