Different Biological Control Agents
The usage of biocontrol agents is a very effective alternative approach for managing several illnesses, including worm infestation, fungal pathogens, and bacterial pathogens. In contemporary times, the use of biocontrol agents has emerged as a prominent factor within the realm of agriculture. The following are some types of agents that may be used for biocontrol:
Fungi
It is considered that fungi are an ever-evolving approach that has shown to be a highly effective biocontrol alternative to chemical pesticides and does not do any damage to the environment. Fungi also do not pose any health risks to humans. Fungi have become an increasingly common choice for the biocontrol method known as mycocontrol.
Example: Entomophaga (successful in combating the green peach aphid).
Predators
Predators are free-living organisms that sustain themselves by hunting and eating other animals throughout their lives. Because they feed primarily on agricultural produce, predators like spiders, dragonflies, and lacewings are ideal candidates for use in biological pest management.
Bacteria
In a nutshell, bacteria, which are the most effective biological strategy for managing pests, infect the digestive systems of insects and other potentially deadly pests. Coccobacillus bacteria, in comparison to other types of bacteria, are very dangerous to insects.
Virus
According to the findings of several research, viruses would be particularly specific to their hosts, which would make them effective biocontrol agents. The development of a virus that would be miraculous in terms of specifically targeting pests and serving as biological control is still the subject of ongoing study in the scientific community.
Parasitoids
The parasitoids are an efficient tool of biological control since they lay eggs within the bodies of their hosts, which ultimately results in the hosts’ death. Utilizing the deceased host as a source of food for the developing larvae is a biological control method that is used by them.
Biocontrol Agents – Types, Advantages, Disadvantages
Biocontrol agents are also referred to as biological control agents. It includes microbes that serve the purpose of safeguarding plants from parasitic organisms. Microbes refer to little unicellular creatures. Our naked eyes cannot perceive them because microbes are very tiny. Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, and Parasitoids are various microbes that work as agents safeguarding plants from invasive species by killing them. This article aims to explore the topic of biocontrol agents, including their varieties, biocontrol methods, advantages, and disadvantages.