Nutrient Strategies for Pest Resilience in Plants: A Review

Abstract

Sustainable agriculture plays a vital role in modern farming, addressing concerns of traditional pesticides, which raise issues related to safety, environmental impact, and resistance. Consequently, alternative insect pest management methods, including nutrient-based approaches, have gained prominence. However, understanding the relationship between nutrients and plant diseases remains a complex challenge. This review synthesizes recent insights on the impact of specific nutrients (N, P, K, Mn, Zn, B, Cl and Si) on insect pest resistance in sustainable agriculture. Nitrogen supply has a major impact on insect pest intensity as compared to low nitrogen doses and control, pest populations were high at high levels. Phosphorus (P) has an inconsistent role in resistance. Comprehensive nutrient management in sustainable agriculture offers cost-effective, eco-friendly disease control, reducing pesticide reliance. Potassium (K) enhances resistance to an optimal point, beyond which there is no further improvement. Proper nutrient management can make subsequent control measures more efficient and economical. Understanding the interplay of plant nutrition, insect herbivores, and community dynamics is essential. Balanced nutrient levels, especially potassium and phosphorus, indirectly strengthen plant resistance to various insect pests through biochemical, physical, and mechanical mechanisms. Strategies to enhance plant defense against phytophagous insects align with the demand for food and nutritional security. This review emphasizes the significance of comprehensive nutrient management in sustainable agriculture for disease and pest control while prioritizing food safety and environmental quality.