Question

Select the correct group of biocontrol agents.

• A. Nostoc, Azospirillum, Nucleopolyhedrovirus
• B. Bacillus thuringiensis, Tobacco mosaic virus, Aphids
• C. Trichoderma, Baculovirus, Bacillus thuringiensis
• D. Oscillatoria, Rhizobium, Trichoderma

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Trichoderma, Baculovirus, Bacillus thuringiensis

The correct option is C.

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Biocontrol is the process of using biological methods to control pests and pathogens.
2. This process is known as natural predation.
3. Bacillus thuringiensis is a bacterial species that help in controlling the spread of butterfly caterpillars.
4. Similarly, Baculovirus is a viral cell used to control the growth of insects and other arthropods.
5. Trichoderma is filamentous fungal species used against various plant pathogens of the root ecosystem.

Explanations of the incorrect options:

Option A:

1. This is an incorrect option as Nostoc and Azospirillum are nitrogen-fixing bacteria (converts atmospheric nitrogen into usable nitrogenic forms such as NH₃).
2. Whereas Nucleopolyhedrovirus is a baculovirus.
3. These microorganisms do not help in biological control.

Option B:

1. Aphids are small sucking insects belonging to the superfamily Aphidoidea.
2. This is an incorrect option.

Option D:

1. Oscillatoria is a filamentous cyanobacterium (able to produce their food via photosynthesis) producing mucilaginous sheath (viscous sticky sheath).
2. Rhizobium is a nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
3. This is an incorrect option as none of these organisms help in the control of pests.

Final answer: The correct group of biocontrol agents is Trichoderma, Baculovirus, and Bacillus thuringiensis.