Orange oil fights pests and fungi in fruits and vegetables

October 2024

Biocontrol uses substances, technologies or mechanisms derived from nature to control insect pests, diseases and weeds in agriculture and forestry. Biocontrol products generally fall into the following categories, depending on the “active ingredient” of each:

• Invertebrate macrobials (i.e. natural predators and parasites).
• Microbials (i.e. algae, bacteria, fungi and viruses).
• Semiochemicals (i.e. pheromones, attractants and repellents).
• Extracts from plant products (e.g., essential oils, chrysanthemum and mimosa extracts).
• Other natural substances (e.g. certain peptides, enzymes and RNA).

This article is one in a series providing case studies of biocontrol products that are on the market or under development in Europe.

Orange oil fights pests and fungi in fruits and vegetables

Cold-pressed orange oil, extracted from the peels of Citrus sinensis (sweet orange), is a versatile biocontrol active ingredient widely used in agriculture due to its combined insecticidal, fungicidal and acaricidal (targeting ticks, mites and other arachnids) properties. Products based on orange oil effectively manage over 90 different crop-pest combinations, particularly common pests of grapes, tomatoes and leafy vegetables. Its ability to provide broad-spectrum protection in a single application sets it apart from other crop protection options, enhancing grower profitability and efficiency.

Orange oil operates through a physical mode of action. It impairs flying insects by disrupting the protective covering on their wings. It desiccates the cuticles of mites and soft-bodied insects, leading to their sudden death via loss of body fluids. It also dries out the protective membranes of fungi, halting infections without harming healthy plant tissues. Incorporating orange oil regularly into spray programs can yield substantial economic benefits by preventing pest populations from reaching damaging levels.

Orange oil-based formulations also contribute to sustainable pest management. They act as “resistance breakers” by disrupting the development of pest resistance to conventional pesticides. Additionally, they are exempt from maximum residue limits (because they leave no residues on crops) and have a short pre-harvest interval, making them safe for workers and the environment. As a result, these formulations are suitable for both conventional and organic farming systems on-field as well as in greenhouses. They have been certified for organic farming in various countries and can be used alone or in combination with Integrated Pest Management.

 

This case study was provided by Rovensa Next , a member of the Biocontrol Coalition.