Think Yellow and Keep Green—Role of Sulfanes from Garlic in Agriculture

Abstract

Reactive sulfur species from garlic have long been renowned for their health benefits and antimicrobial properties. In agriculture the subject matter is now gathering momentum in the search for new bio-pesticides to addressing emerging environmental concerns and tighter restrictions on the use of many conventional chemical pesticides. Although the precise modes of action of these garlic-derived bioactives is complex, recent research has provided a number of new insights that deepen our understanding of garlic-derived products, such as garlic extracts and oils. Herein, their activity against various crop-damaging pests is reviewed. In many cases, there seems to be a broad range of activity associated with the sulfur-containing compounds derived from Allium species, which manifests itself in diverse insecticidal, antifungal, and nematicidal activities. These activities open a new understanding to develop this natural chemistry as a “green pesticide”.

Polysulfides Applied as Formulated Garlic Extract to Protect Tomato Plants against the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita

“…However, the primary mode of action of diallyl polysulfides is still uncertain [ 8 ] and as for many nematicides, there might be a multi-site inhibitory effect as described for NEMguard ® DE containing 45% of garlic extract [ 14 , 15 ]. Despite the uncertain mode of action on plant-parasitic nematodes and other plant pathogens [ 15 ], garlic oil, garlic extract, garlic straw and garlic-derived polysulfides have shown to control those pests and pathogens with success [ 16 ]. For decades, nematicidal activity of different garlic compositions have been reported against Meloidogyne spp.…”

“…For decades, nematicidal activity of different garlic compositions have been reported against Meloidogyne spp. [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ] and different garlic-based pesticides are approved/registered and sold to control nematodes and other pests with different levels of success [ 16 ].…”

Redox Modulation at Work: Natural Phytoprotective Polysulfanes From Alliums Based on Redox-Active Sulfur

“…While there is extensive evidence that show the various medicinal benefits of garlic polysulfanes, there is a critical need for controlled clinical studies to strictly evaluate the safety and efficacy of these compounds for establishing sufficient application methods before medical use. Furthermore, polysulfanes are emerging as promising, environmentally benign pesticides which are not only safe for humans, but also various non-target species endangered by synthetic chemical pesticides [ 8 , 93 ]. With further work, diallyl polysulfanes could provide the basis for the innovative development of novel antibiotics, fungicides, pesticides, and anticancer agents.…”

“…1 ). The diallyl polysulfanes with DAS1-DAS4 constitute a major part of garlic extract and oils with others like methylated polysulfanes [ 8 ]. In this article, we will limit discussion to the diallyl polysulfanes mentioned in Fig.…”

Formulation of Allium sativum L. and Melia azedarach L. plant extracts and their effects on Myzus persicae Sulzer, 1776 (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

“…Garlic extracts contain monopertenes, phenols and sesquiterpenes. 20 There are a few studies on the effect of formulated garlic extract on pests. Kazem & Fraghaly 21 prepared the formulation of extract of hot pepper, ginger and garlic by using linseed boiled oil.…”