Abstract
In recent times, the need to control pests through economic and eco-friendly ways have given rise to
the investigation of pesticides of natural sources, especially those of plant origin with the aim of
greening the environment by reducing harmful residues during pest control. Some of the plants of
interest have bioactive compounds that are insecticidal to some insects, thus offering protection
against grain-crop damages. The interest in the use of physic nut (Jatropha curcas) as a biopesticide
against weevil attack on grains is based on its benefits such as being widely available and
cultivatable, costfriendly, target specific, safe to non-target organism and the need to replace the use
of synthetic pesticides in controlling insect-pests of grain-crops with eco-friendly alternative. However,
bio-pesticides usage in Nigeria and some nations has not been given serious consideration as a
means of pest control while focusing on greening the environment. The study discussed challenges
synthetic pesticides present, bio-pesticides as means of greening the environment, the advantages
physic nut offers as a bio-pesticide, and method of preparing physic nut seed powder as bio-pesticide.
Recommendations were made in line with the discussion.
Keywords: Physic nut, Pest control, Synthetic pesticide, Bio-pesticide, Greening environment
Publication Date: 2018-06-09