Which is the common biocontrol agent for the control of plant and why biological controls methods are better for the environment those chemical methods?
A common biocontrol agent for control of plant diseases is Trichoderma. Trichoderma is a free-living fungus that is used for foliar application, seed treatment and soil treatment for suppression of various disease-causing fungal pathogens. Biological control uses a living organism to kill pests while chemical control uses different strong chemicals to kill, prevent or repel pests. Therefore, biological control is an eco-friendly method since it does not harm the environment and people while chemical control is not environmental friendly. Biological control is the use by humans of beneficial insects such as predators and parasitoids, or pathogens such as fungi and viruses, to control unwanted insects, weeds, or diseases.
Biological control uses natural enemies to control pest populations, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. Biological control uses a living organism to kill pests while chemical control uses different strong chemicals to kill, prevent or repel pests. Therefore, biological control is an eco-friendly method since it does not harm the environment and people while chemical control is not environmental friendly. Biopesticides are usually inherently less toxic than conventional pesticides. Biopesticides generally affect only the target pest and closely related organisms, in contrast to broad spectrum, conventional pesticides that may affect organisms as different as birds, insects and mammals. Another most important advantage of this method is its selectivity i.e., specific pest target strategy. Unlike the chemical/other control method, this method controls the pest meant to target and do not harm the other species or plant. Therefore, danger of damage to non target plant species is restricted. A common biocontrol agent for control of plant diseases is Trichoderma. Trichoderma is a free-living fungus that is used for foliar application, seed treatment and soil treatment for suppression of various disease-causing fungal pathogens. Biological control is a method of plant disease management by inhibiting plant pathogens, improving plant immunity, and/or modifying the environment through the effects of beneficial microorganisms, compounds, or healthy cropping systems
Use of pesticides has proved to be advantageous: greater food output, increased earnings for farmers, and disease prevention. Despite the fact that pests devour or injure a substantial percentage of agricultural crops, it is likely that they would consume a higher percentage if pesticides were not used. Non-chemical methods of controlling pests are often very effective. Some examples of non-chemical control methods include trapping, heat treatments, cutting or mowing, or cultivating soil. Another most important advantage of this method is its selectivity i.e., specific pest target strategy. Unlike the chemical/other control method, this method controls the pest meant to target and do not harm the other species or plant. Therefore, danger of damage to non target plant species is restricted. Biological control uses a living organism to kill pests while chemical control uses different strong chemicals to kill, prevent or repel pests. Therefore, biological control is an eco-friendly method since it does not harm the environment and people while chemical control is not environmental friendly.Biocontrol reduces the pest population and their impacts on the environment. Biocontrol has many advantages. Natural enemies are an environmentally friendly alternative to pesticides that are often used to control invasive species.
The most commonly used biopesticides are living organisms, which are pathogenic for the pest of interest. These include biofungicides, bioherbicides and bioinsecticides. Microbes act as biocontrol agents in three ways, either they cause diseases in the pests or compete with them or kill them. As Bacillus thuringiensis which is often referred to as Bt is a microbial biocontrol agent. Microorganisms like entomopathogenic fungi, bacteria, nematodes and viruses have been used for the management of insect pests in diverse ecosystems. The most widely used microbial pesticides are subspecies and strains of Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. Each strain of this bacterium produces a different mix of proteins and specifically kills one or a few related species of insect larvae. Biological control is the use of living organisms to suppress pest populations, making them less damaging than they would otherwise be. Natural enemies of insects play an important role in limiting the densities of potential pests. These natural enemies include predators, parasitoids, and pathogens. his can be done especially with caterpillars and other large insects in small plots of land. Smaller pests such as aphids can be squashed on the plant. Parts of plants that are diseased can be cut or broken off the plants to prevent the spread of the disease. Microbial control is here defined as “The utilization of pathogens for the management of pest populations.” Nematodes, although not microorganisms, are considered to be “microbial control” agents because of the techniques involved in their utilization. The soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces endotoxins during sporulation that have specific toxicity to several insect species. The inactive crystal protein is enzymatically converted to an active toxin inside an insect's gut. Biological control is used primarily for controlling pests in crop cultivation. Advantages of biological control are that no artificial substances are added, and that pathogens / animals that develop resistance against biological control agents are rare. Biological control, the use of living organisms to control pests. A natural enemy such as a parasite, predator, or disease organism is introduced into the environment of a pest or, if already present, is encouraged to multiply and become more effective in reducing the number of pest organisms.
the excessive use of chemical products causes harmful effects for the plant and its environment, that's why it is proven that biological control is the most environmentally friendly method.
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