Sustainable Pest Management Strategies Under Greenhouse Conditions in Countries of the Global South

Greenhouse agricultural production systems are becoming increasingly important as they allow for higher yields and better control of environmental variables, among other advantages. However, these conditions are also ideal for the proliferation of pests and diseases, which are commonly controlled with synthetic chemical products that have a negative impact on the environment and human health. Current conditions in production systems, environmental care, human health, and market trends have led this type of production system to seek new alternatives to the use of such products. These alternatives revolve around biological, ecological, regulatory, technological, and genetic control, among others. Furthermore, technology and most scientific literature on pest and disease control in greenhouses have been developed for countries in the Global North, most of which experience four seasons and have a more advanced industry in this field. These results are not easily adaptable to countries in the Global South, primarily as many are located in tropical regions, owing to the specificity of pests and diseases, the underdevelopment of the biological control industry, and economic reasons. This review found that most research focuses on strategies such as the use of plant extracts and biological control agents, especially fungi and bacteria. This systematic review identified the current status, trends, and best practices in greenhouse pest control in Global South countries. We hope that this information will serve as input for new research and/or implementation in greenhouses in these regions.