The federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 mandated the development of a national list of allowed materials. This list is due to be published later this year. With a relatively small array of pesticides to work with, organic growers must emphasize the use of cultural practices to minimize pest problems. Practices such as crop rotation, sanitation, stress avoidance, and selection of resistant varieties are the cornerstones of organic, as well as conventional, pest management. When organic pesticides need to be used, the choices include botanicals, microbials, synthetics and minerals.
Botanicals are plant-derived materials such as rotenone, pyrethrum, sabadilla, ryania, etc.
Nicotine products, although natural, are not permitted due to their high mammalian toxicity. Botanicals are generally short-lived in the environment, being broken down rapidly in the presence of light and air. Thus, they provide pest control for only a day or two. Ryania and sabadilla may have some additional residual activity. Botanicals are generally broad-spectrum, so they kill beneficial insects too.