Biological Science: Research Developments and Innovations Vol. 2

Mustard is an important oilseed crop whose productivity is constrained by the mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.), a major sap-feeding pest. Conventional insecticide-based management can adversely affect beneficial organisms and the environment and may contribute to insecticide resistance, pest resurgence, and secondary pest outbreaks. This review synthesises biorational approaches for mustard aphid management, with emphasis on plant-based pesticides, microbial agents, new-generation biopesticides, insect growth regulators, and bioactive compounds. Botanical products, particularly neem leaf extracts, neem seed kernel extract, neem oil, and other plant extracts, have demonstrated substantial aphid-suppressive activity in laboratory and field evaluations. Several botanical treatments also showed comparatively favourable compatibility with predators, parasitoids, and honey bees, although responses varied among products and exposure conditions. Entomopathogenic fungi, including Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Verticillium lecanii, and Nomuraea rileyi, have also shown effectiveness against mustard aphid. Bacterial agents and newer compounds such as spinosad, buprofezin, and diafenthiuron have been evaluated as additional biorational options. Plant-derived defence molecules, including lectins, defensins, protease inhibitors, and other bioactive compounds, may further contribute to aphid resistance. The reviewed evidence indicates that biorational products can support integrated pest management by reducing dependence on conventional insecticides while conserving beneficial organisms. Their judicious use, alone or in suitable combinations and rotations, offers a comparatively eco-friendly approach for sustainable mustard aphid management.