Industrial Cannabis sativa (Hemp): Biopesticide-An updated Review
1 Department of Applied Botany, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri-574199, Mangalore (DK), Karnataka State, India.
2 Department of Botany, Bangurnagar Arts, Science and Commerce College, Dandeli-581325, Karnataka State, India.
3 Department of Allied Health Sciences, Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Jalandhar-44030, Punjab State, India.
4 Scientist and Consultant (Independent) in Biotechnology, Belagavi-590003, Karnataka State, India.
*Corresponding Author
Review
International Journal of Life Science Research Archive, 2026, 11(01), 037–051.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijlsra.2026.11.1.0063
Publication history:
Received on 12 June 2026; revised on 18 July 2026; accepted on 10 August 2026
Abstract:
This review paper of literature highlights and updates on the use of hemp plant extract and essential oil (EOs) as the biopesticide for the agriculture crop pest management. Industrial Cannabis sativa L. (Hemp) belongs to the family Cannabaceae is a short-season crop with many applications which is used as a functional food, fibre, 3D printed building material, hempcrete, biopesticide, biochar, bioplastic, paper, textile, biofuel, oil, cosmetics, skincare, animal bedding, ropes, medicine and as a replacement for graphene in supercapacitors. One of the main roles of phytochemicals in plants is to offer a variety of defenses against insects, parasites, and predators. For this reason, plant-based pesticides are emerging as safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly substitutes for chemical pesticides in the fight against plant diseases and arthropods that transmit diseases to humans and animals. Biopesticides are pest management agents and chemicals derived from natural sources such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, plants, animals and minerals. As for hemp, several studies have revealed that aqueous and solvent extracts, as well as essential oils (EOs) and purified phytochemicals from leaves or inflorescences effectively repel and/or inhibit the growth of insects and plant microbial pathogens. Therefore, plant-based biopesticides constitute a small but important group of biopesticides. Many biopesticides are more environmentally friendly than synthetic pesticides. However, there are some limitations that restrict the widespread use of such biopesticides. These limitations include cost, difficulties in production, gentle action, and use of appropriate biopesticide formulations.
Keywords:
Biopesticide, Cannabis sativa, Essential Oil (EO), Hemp, Pest Management application
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