Question 4: Describe the main ideas behind the biological control of pests and diseases.
Answer:
It’s a natural and eco- friendly concept. It employs the use of organisms for the population control of pathogens and pests in an ecosystem. Classical examples are Trichoderma which is antagonist, i.e. against many soil borne plant pathogens.
Similarly, Penicillium inhabits the growth of Staphylococcus and therefore has been successfully used in the production of penicillin antibiotic to control human bacterial pathogens. Bacillus thuringiensis acts as bio-pesticide to control insect.
Baculovirus is used as an biological control agents for the genus Nucleo- polyhedovirus which are excellent for species- specific- narrow spectrum insecticidal application. The overall biological control of pests is considered much more beneficial in an ecological sensitive area.
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