Biocontrol can be described as the control of a particular type of live creature through the application of a different kind of organism. In addition to being known as biological control, the application of biocontrol agents is primarily employed for the decrease of pest populations as well as the production of pest-free yields. The biocontrol methods are a long-term and, more significantly, self-sustaining strategy of controlling invasive plant species that aids in the control of invasive plant species. Insects, diseases, and grazing animals are used to control weed infestations and pests in agricultural fields and pastures. Natural animals, through parasitism, predation, and other similar mechanisms, serve the function of biocontrol agents, which aid in the maintenance of the ecological balance.
Types Of Biocontrol Agents
Natural biological control can be accomplished through the use of two major techniques. Inundative biocontrol makes use of diseases to achieve its objectives. This method makes use of pathogens that aid in the reduction of weed growth and is as effective as herbicides in terms of effectiveness. The most often utilised inundative biological control agents are nematodes and nuts, which restrict the introduction of invasive plants into the environment. Pest management using classical biocontrol is another procedure that can be used in conjunction with the organic method of pest control. In this form of biocontrol, the natural prey-predator connection is taken advantage of. Classical biocontrol is characterised by the formation of an eternal interaction between plants and biological control animals.
Different Biological Control Agents
The following are some examples of biological control agents:
Fungi
Fungus, when used as a biocontrol approach, contributes to the development of a biological way of pest control. Fungi as a biocontrol strategy are believed to be a fast developing method that poses no threat to the environment and is non-toxic. Fungi as a biocontrol approach have proven to be a highly effective alternative to chemical pesticides in a variety of situations. In recent years, the use of fungi as a biocontrol approach has gained considerable favour. Entomophaga is a type of fungus that is effective against green peach aphids and can be used as a biological pest management approach on the fruit.
Predators
When it comes to predators, they are primarily free-living species that consume a huge number of prey throughout the course of their life. Because insects are a major source of nutrition for many crops, predators such as spiders, dragonflies, lacewings, and other similar insects are appropriate for use as a biological approach to pest management.
Bacteria
The bacteria that belong to the genus Coccobacillus are comparatively more pathogenic to insects, and as a result, they are frequently utilised for biological control of insects. The bacteria infect the digestive tracts of insects, which severely restricts the options available to insects with sucking mouthparts. Bacteria are used in the control of pests as a biological technique.
Virus
Research is still ongoing into the development of a virus that would target pests in a targeted manner and operate as a biological control mechanism. This type of virus would be highly particular in terms of its host, making it a potentially powerful biocontrol agent.
Parasitoids
The parasitoids infect their victims by laying eggs in their bodies, which ultimately results in the death of the host. This is one of the most common techniques of biological control because the larvae feed on the carcass of the dead host, which is one of the most effective approaches.
In Biological Control, there are both advantages and disadvantages.
Numerous advantages of biological control ecology and applications may be found in the literature. Humans are not adversely affected by the biological control agents, which are non-toxic and have no negative environmental impact. These approaches are also far less expensive than other Agrochemicals, such as pesticides and insecticides, which are used in agriculture. These treatments are also simple to apply, easily available, and may be applied at any time of year, regardless of the season. The most important application of biocontrol agents is that they aid in the reduction of the use of chemicals and pesticides that have detrimental effects on human health and the environment. There are a number of other drawbacks to employing biocontrol technologies as a preventative measure. Because of the usage of biocontrol chemicals, the quality of produce suffers a significant and apparent degradation. Biocontrol agents do not completely eliminate all pests, and they are only effective and cost-effective as a tool for pest control when utilised on a massive scale.
List of Biological Control Agent
1.A wide variety of insects-eating animals, including spiders, flies, ladybugs, wasps, beetles, and dragonflies
2.Microorganisms that cause disease, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, among others. The bacteria Coccobacillus are extremely toxic to insects. They have an effect on the digestive system, and insects and aphids make use of them. Entomophaga fungus are employed in the treatment of the green peach aphid.
3.Parasitoids are parasites that infect and kill animals by laying eggs in their bodies. In later stages, it is utilised as a food source for the young caterpillars. It is frequently employed as a biological control agent.
Microbial Biocontrol Agents.
1.The ladybird and the dragonfly are two common insects that are used to remove aphids and mosquitoes in a series of attacks on the plant. In addition to insects, microorganisms are also employed as biocontrol agents. Viruses, fungus, viruses, and protozoans are among the viruses that exist. Bacteria serve as a biocontrol agent in three ways: by producing diseases, competing with or eliminating themselves, and by infecting other bacteria.
2.Many biocontrols have seen significant expansion and improvement as a result of biotechnology. For example, Bacillus thuringiensis, also known as Bt, is a biological control agent that can be used to control pests and diseases. Spraying a Bt solution derived from seeds on plants will harm the caterpillars of butterfly species. The dried seeds cause worms to discharge toxins from their intestines, resulting in their death.
3.By infusing B harmful B genes from Bacillus thuringiensis into plants, biotechnology has been successful in developing disease- and insect-resistant plants. Take, for instance, cotton. In addition to these microbial biocontrol agents, the fungus Trichoderma and the baculoviruses of the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus have been found to be effective. These agents are naturally uncomplicated, and this, combined with the high expense of using them, discourages their usage.
What exactly is ‘biological control,’ and why do we require it in the first place?
1.Despite the fact that many farmers utilise chemical ways to address their insect problems, there are several drawbacks to this approach:
2.It is possible that chemicals will not remove and kill beneficial insects.
3.Pesticides may not be effective against some insects.
4.Pesticides have the potential to penetrate food chains, accumulate, and cause harm to other living organisms.
5.Chemical residues have the potential to harm humans, particularly farmers.
Because of this, biological control approaches have been created to combat pests. Insect control methods that employ other predators or insect pests to reduce the number of pests to levels where there is minimum economic impact are known as biological control methods.
CONCLUSION
Plants are protected by biocontrol agents from natural enemies such as parasites, predation, and other threats. They aid in the control of plant pest infestations such as weeds, nematodes, insects, and mites. Biological control methods are only effective against dangerous organisms and do not harm beneficial organisms in the soil.