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Question
Describe the main ideas behind the biological control of pests and diseases.
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Solution
Biological control:
Biological control is a process where organisms that are natural predators are used to control the pathogenic population and the pests present in the environment.
Integrated pest management:
Integrated pest management (IPM) is a collection of techniques utilised to manage pests in our environment. This works under the principle that natural predators of the pests are used, saving the ecosystem from the usage of polluting chemical substances. It is therefore important to know the life cycle of pests and their different predators.
● Some microbes like Trichoderma, Bacillus thuringiensis and baculoviruses can be used in controlling plant diseases and pests.
● Natural predators like ladybird or dragonflies can be used against aphids or mosquitoes respectively.
Advantages:
● Dependence on chemicals is reduced, helping in reducing pollution of the environment.
● The pests are kept under manageable levels.
● Cost effective for the farmers: Since multiple simple and natural approaches are used, the methods are efficient and cost effective.
● Species-specific: Only the target organisms are affected and eliminated. Beneficial insects are not harmed, thus preserving biodiversity.
Biological control is a process where organisms that are natural predators are used to control the pathogenic population and the pests present in the environment.
Integrated pest management:
Integrated pest management (IPM) is a collection of techniques utilised to manage pests in our environment. This works under the principle that natural predators of the pests are used, saving the ecosystem from the usage of polluting chemical substances. It is therefore important to know the life cycle of pests and their different predators.
● Some microbes like Trichoderma, Bacillus thuringiensis and baculoviruses can be used in controlling plant diseases and pests.
● Natural predators like ladybird or dragonflies can be used against aphids or mosquitoes respectively.
Advantages:
● Dependence on chemicals is reduced, helping in reducing pollution of the environment.
● The pests are kept under manageable levels.
● Cost effective for the farmers: Since multiple simple and natural approaches are used, the methods are efficient and cost effective.
● Species-specific: Only the target organisms are affected and eliminated. Beneficial insects are not harmed, thus preserving biodiversity.
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