I stumbled on a variety of papers from the nineties that claim the use of biological control agents against various diseases in Brazil and other subtropical regions. Since research of the underlying mechanisms of biocontrol is scarce for most traditionally used BCAs, I wonder if they are still in use today? Anyone up-to-date on what is currently used as BCA by farmers in warmer climates?
Malaysian Palm Oil Board is doing extensive study on the use of BCA in oil palm plantation such as the use of endophytic bacteria, fungus, actinomycetes, Trichordema and mycorrhiza to control of Basal stem root disease cause by Ganoderma. Recently, MPOB have launched a biofertiliser in collaboration with the industry known as Biofertiliser Hendersonia GanoEF as Biological Control Of Ganoderma in Oil Palm. We also have produce BCA product for control of insect in oil palm plantations.
Please contact Head, Division of Crop Protection , Coconut Research Board, (former Institute) Sri Lanka for details for disease control by BC in coconuts.
In Sri Lanka BCAs are used to control Mosquito which spread the 'Dengi' fever. More information could be get from Medical Research Institute, Sri Lanka. that is a virus imported from Cuba.
Larvae of Black beetle which harm crown of coconut could be control by a virus which is not harmful to human.
Promicothica Kumagi, a beetle which harm coconut leaves at epidemic level had been controlled by a BCA imported from Java in 1970s. Now that BCA is in the natural environment and no longer that beetle is threat to coconut Industry.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Biota
- Eukaryota
- Fungi