Harnessing Hormesis: Exploring Insecticide Dose-response Dynamics for Sustainable Pest Management

Hormesis, a biological phenomenon in which hazardous substances become less damaging or less effective at greater concentrations while still having therapeutic effects at lower quantities, is important for managing pests. Hormesis, which was first discovered in the 1940s, significantly affects the best way to utilize pesticides. The mechanisms of hormesis, such as behavioural modifications, metabolic activation, detoxification processes, stress reactions, target site saturation, and physiological reactions, are examined in this review. Comprehending these mechanisms is crucial in formulating efficacious and enduring pest management tactics. Utilizing hormetic effects can lower pollution levels in the environment, slow the emergence of resistance, and improve the general effectiveness of pesticides. This review underscores the critical importance of incorporating dose and environmental factors into effective pest management strategies. It emphasizes the necessity of hormesis-based integrated pest management (IPM) programs that strike a balance between efficient pest control and negligible negative effects on the environment and human health. In the end, agroecosystems can benefit from improved pest management strategies that are more sustainable and successful by comprehending and utilizing the principles of hormesis. This can also lessen the need for high-dose chemical treatments.