Plant extracts in agriculture and in seed treatment

Abstract

In response to the harmuful effects of the use of toxic substances in agriculture, researches has advanced in the devopment of alternative solutions, aiming to understand the effectiveness of plant extracts in agriculture. The aim of this research was to understand, through a systematic review, the situation of research and scientific dissemination, as well as how current science has approached the use of plant extracts in agriculture, especially in the aplication of seeds, in addition to characterizing the main classes of metabolites found on these studies. A high number of publication was observed in the last ten Years, mainly on the Years 2018, 2019 and 2020, with Brazil being the country with the largest number of researches on this area of study. Phytopathogenic organisms, insect control, biostimulant effect, resistance induction and herbicide effect have been the main themes explored for use in agriculture. Between 2015 and 2020 was the period with the highest rates of researches which explored plants extracts in agriculture focused in identify or quantify the presence of metabolic compounds. Phenolic compounds are a priority class of metabolites for different function, effects and applications in agriculture, mainly in seed treatment. Terpenes have great potential as bioinsecticide for agriculture. Plant species rich in phenolic compound and terpenes are potencial sources of alternative biocontrol for the protection of productive system.