L’azadirachtine, un pesticide naturel aux effets multiples

Abstract

Une littérature abondante traite de l’impact négatif des pesticides conventionnels, très efficaces dans la gestion des ravageurs mais responsables d’une large pollution environnementale. Les pesticides d’origine naturelle qui auraient un moindre impact environnemental suscitent ainsi un intérêt majeur. Parmi ceux-ci, l’azadirachtine, commercialisée sous diverses formulations (huile de neem, Neem-Azal, Bioneem, etc.) reste la molécule la plus recommandée dans les agro-écosystèmes. L’argument d’une innocuité environnementale de l’azadirachtine est cependant nuancé par des effets collatéraux qui, bien que controversés, sont notables sur des organismes non ciblés.

There are many studies devoted to the negative impact of conventional pesticides that effectively control pests, but cause widespread environmental pollution. As a result, interest is growing in pesticides of a natural origin with a lower environmental impact. Among them, azadirachtin, sold under various formulations (neem oil, Neem-Azal, Bioneem, etc.), is still the most widely recommended molecule in agricultural ecosystems. Azadirachtin has also been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and studies published over the past few years have tended to support its therapeutic use. Yet the argument that azadirachtin is harmless to the environment has been offset by its notable collateral and controversial effects on non-target organisms. The present paper summarizes the work already done in this field.