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Definitions of 'Biocontrol'

the control of pests by interference with their ecological status,as by introducing a natural enemy or a pathogen into theenvironment

Pseudomonas for biocontrol of phytopathogens: fromfunctional genomics to commercial exploitation.

Abstract

Pseudomonas spp. that can colonise the roots of crop plants and

produce antifungal metabolites represent a real alternative to the

application of chemical fungicides. Presently, much research is aimedat understanding, at the molecular level, the mechanisms that enable

Pseudomonas strains to act as efficient biological control agents. This

approach is facilitating the development of novel strains with modified

traits for enhanced biocontrol efficacy. However, without solving

some inherent problems associated with the effective delivery of

microbial inoculants to seeds and without knowledge on the biosafety

aspects of novel biocontrol agents, the commercial potential of

Pseudomonas spp. for plant disease control will not be realised.

ADVANTAGES

the most important advantage to the use of biologicalcontrol is that it typically offers longer term managementthan the more traditional technology areas. longer termcontrol is achieved because biocontrol agents act as if a hostspecific control method is continualy present and impactingthe target plant.

for example, once an agent is released and well established,insect population levels cycle proportionately with thepopulation of the plant. that is when plant population levelsare high, there will be a corresponding increase in thepopulation levels of the biocontrol gents. when plant levelsdecrease, there is a corresponding decrease in the numbers

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of the biocontrol agents persist and continually exertcontrolling or regulatory pressure on the target plant.another advantage is that the cost for control is typicallylower to relative to more traditional control procedures.

typically, biocontrol agents are relesed in relatively lownumbers for only a short time in the beginning of theprogram unlike more traditional methods of control whichare used continually over many years. after the releases arediscontinued, the agent population increases, if successfuland begings to damage the target population. only in rarecircumstances are the agents released continually. a lowercost for control is the result, because the initial cost ofintroduction, release and establishment is offset by the value

of achieving and maintaining control for many years afterthe initial release of the organisms, i.e: beefits accrae overmany years.selectivity,it does not intestify o create new pest problems.no manufacturing of new chemicals, the organisms arealready available.control organisms will increase in number and spread.the pest is unable ( or very slow) to develop a resistance.control is self perpetuating.

free of side effectssafe to handle or useoccurs naturallyhigh degree of host specificitycost effectiveself perpetuationsearching abilitysurvive of low host densitypesicides which are harmful to all parts of the food chain,

are not needed.biological control is self- perpetuatingsuitable biological control organisms do not attack otherspeciesusually a large proportion of the post population isdestroyed.

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