Biocontrol Agents: Overview, Types, Merits and Demerits

The use of naturally occurring strains of any microorganisms or genetically modified organisms to reduce the frequency or severity of diseases caused by plant pathogens is known as a "biological control agent" (BCA). Biocontrol is the use of a living organism or biological agent to stop the growth of an insect or other pest. Additionally known as biological control, this process.

Pest-free fields are achieved using biocontrol. The removal of invasive plants can be done permanently and is very effective. To eradicate weeds, pests, insects, pathogens, and other living organisms, this method employs living organisms.

Biocontrol Agents

Biocontrol agents are substances that prevent pests or insects from reproducing by using their natural enemies. Biological control is the process by which biocontrol agents operate.

The biocontrol agents defend plants from pests, parasites, predators, and other natural enemies. They aid in reducing plant pest infestations caused by weeds, nematodes, insects, and mites. The biological control agents target harmful organisms only, and they leave the beneficial organisms in the soil alone.

Types Of Biocontrol Agents

Two categories of biological control exist:

1. Classical biocontrol (Importation)

2. Inductive Biocontrol (Augmentation

Classical biocontrol (Importation): It involves the prey-predator dynamic. Moths, parasitic insects, baculovirus, and aphids are a few examples of traditional biocontrol, and the relationship between plants and animals that act as biological controls is distinct. It is an organic, natural method for weed, insect, and other organism control.

Inductive biocontrol (augmentation): In this instance, pathogens are used as biocontrol agents to eradicate the pests that hinder plant growth. Nematodes are a type of inductive biological control that works by preventing the spread of invasive plants.

Characteristics of Biological Control Agents:

• It is a natural way to manage insects, weeds, pests, and other living things that hinder growth. It is applied to raise crop production and yield.

• Predation and parasitism are the basic biological control principles. Trichoderma, Baculoviruses, and Nucleopolyhedrovirus are a few of the microbes used as biocontrol agents; they kill the insect without endangering human health.

• Organic farming also includes biological control.

• Farmers use biocontrol agents to kill only undesirable organisms that afflict plants with disease because chemical fertilizers can occasionally kill the desired and necessary soil organisms.

• Pest management and the life cycle of the pest are necessary to understand how to approach the biological control process. For instance, spraying a plant with BT solution made from seeds will kill the caterpillars of butterflies. Toxins from the worms' intestines are released by the dried seeds, killing them.

Various Biological Pest Control Agents

Examples of biological pest control agents are provided below:

Fungi : Fungi constitute a biological method of pest control as a biocontrol method. The use of fungi as a biocontrol agent is thought to be a rapidly evolving strategy that has no negative environmental effects. As a biocontrol strategy, fungi have proven to be a highly effective replacement for chemical pesticides. In recent years, the use of fungi as a biocontrol strategy has gained enormous popularity. A biological method of pest control, entomophagy is a type of fungi that works well against green peach aphids.

Predators: Predators are primarily free-living organisms that eat numerous prey items throughout their lives. Given that crops are primarily consumed by insects, predators like spiders, dragonflies, and lacewings are the best options for biological pest control.

Bacteria: Coccobacillus-related bacteria are used for biological control because they are comparatively more pathogenic to insects. Insects with sucking mouthparts have fewer options because the bacteria infect their digestive tracts. A biological approach to pest control uses bacteria.

Virus: Scientists are still working on developing a virus that would selectively target pests and perform biological control. These viruses would have host-specificity, making them efficient biocontrol agents.

Parasitoids: The parasitoids lay eggs inside their hosts' bodies, which ultimately causes the host to pass away. One of the most common forms of biological control involves the larvae using the dead host as a food source.

Biological Control Agents List:

• Spiders, flies, ladybugs, wasps, beetles, and dragonflies are all insect-eating animals.

• Microorganisms that cause diseases, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi Insects are particularly vulnerable to Coccobacillus bacteria. Insects and aphids use them to affect the digestive system. Green peach aphids are controlled with Entomophaga fungi.

• Parasitoids infect and kill animals by laying eggs in their bodies. It is later consumed by the young caterpillar. It's a common biocontrol agent.

Why Do We Need Biological Control, Exactly, And What Does It Mean?

Many farmers use chemical methods to control pests; however, there are a few drawbacks to this method:

• Chemicals may not be effective in clearing and killing beneficial insects.
• Pesticide resistance may exist in insects.
• Pesticides can accumulate in food chains and harm other organisms.
• Chemical residues have the potential to harm people, particularly farmers.

As a result, biological control methods have been developed. This is an insect control method that employs other predators or insect pests to reduce the number of pests to levels where economic damage is minimal.