What is biological control in agriculture?

Biological control is the management of a pest through the use of their natural enemies (biological control agent). A biological control agent is an organism such as a virus, insect or plant disease. provides biosecurity measures to prevent introduction, and to eradicate or manage current pests.

What are some examples of biological control?

Biological Control of Pests: Overview, Examples & Pros/Cons

• Biological control is a method of controlling pest populations naturally, without the use of toxic chemicals.
• Repellent plants.
• Barrier plants.
• Indicator plants.
• Trap plants.
• Insectary plants.
• Do your homework.

What are the four types of biological controls?

Natural enemies of insect pests, also known as biological control agents, include predators, parasitoids, and pathogens. Biological control of weeds includes insects and pathogens. Biological control agents of plant diseases are most often referred to as antagonists.

Why is biological control important to agriculture?

Secondly, biological control reduces rather than eradicates pests, such that the pest and natural enemy remain in the agro-ecosystem at low densities. Biological control schemes operate throughout the world as part of the management of pests in agriculture, forestry and greenhouse horticulture.

What is an example of biological control?

An example of biological control is the release of parasitic wasps to control aphids. Aphids are a pest of plants and cause huge damage to plants as they remove nutrients from the plant.

What are the advantages of biological control?

Advantages of biological control. Incorporating biological control as part of an integrated pest control program reduces the legal, environmental, and public risks of using chemicals. Biological control methods can be used in plantations to prevent pest populations from reaching harmful levels.

What is biological control used for?

Biological control. 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.

What is biological weed control?

Biological. Biological weed control refers to any technique that involves the use of natural enemies of weed plants to control the germination of weed seeds or the spread of established plants. This is a rapidly expanding area of weed control with many examples. Examples of biological weed control include sheep to control tansy ragwort