Essential oils as a sustainable alternative to agricultural production: a literature review

Abstract

Resulting from the introduction of machinery and intensification of agricultural production in the 1960s in Brazil, due to the process of modernization of the field, currently the environment and living beings suffer from the problems resulting from the excessive use of pesticides perpetuated by the conventional agriculture model . Through qualitative research, the study aims to carry out a bibliographic review about the importance of using essential oils as an alternative to control phytopathogenic agents, agricultural pests and weeds. According to the approach, it is an important metabolic tool for the control of pathogens and in defense of plants, shown to be a viable option for sustainable production.