Commercial application of biological control: status and prospects

The global market value of control agents used in crop protection and public health is approaching $16 000 million annually, but less than 1% of this market is penetrated by biological control agents (BCAs). This paper examines the suitability of different types of BCA to research and commercialization, bearing in mind the sharply targeted approach employed by much of the industry. Advantages and disadvantages are discussed along with examples of failures and successes with BCAs. Commercialized products described range from specific chemical control agents which have no adverse effects on beneficial organisms to true BCAs such as pheromones, mass-produced bacteria, and predatory mites. From a commercial viewpoint, greatest potential resides with the utilization of bacteria and fungi, particularly for insect control, but registerability (particularly for genetically engineered agents) patentability, reliability and cost-effectiveness must be achieved. Industry believes that biotechnology will increase the usefulness of BCAs and is therefore encouraging cooperation with academic researchers and performing in-house research to advance the technology. Even so, BCAs will not replace chemicals in the foreseeable future, but will complement them and allow the development of improved integrated control measures.

Parasitology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. STEAR ◽  
M. DOLIGALSKA ◽  
K. DONSKOW-SCHMELTER

Efficient and welfare-friendly livestock production demands the control of nematode infection. Current control measures rely upon anthelmintic treatment but are threatened by the widespread evolution of drug-resistance in parasite populations. Several methods have been advocated to control nematodes without relying on effective anthelmintics. These include grazing management, biological control, nutritional supplementation, vaccination, and genetic approaches. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. There are several grazing management schemes that can reduce the severity of infection but they are insufficient on their own to control infection. Biological control includes the use of predatory fungi to control nematode populations and the use of pasture species that can reduce the intensity of infection. Fungi can control nematodes but the current requirement for daily feeding means that this approach will be most useful for animals that are handled daily. Feeding supplementary protein can control nematode infection. The method is simple but can be expensive and may not be cost-effective for some marginal enterprises. Genetic approaches include the use of resistant breeds and selective breeding. Some breeds will thrive in conditions that kill animals from other breeds but substitution of resistant breeds is not always feasible. Selective breeding is effective and inexpensive but requires a high level of expertize. The most appropriate method or set of methods to minimize the adverse consequences of nematode infection may vary among farms.


Author(s):  
Sean D. Moore

Thaumatotibia leucotreta, known as the false codling moth, is a pest of citrus and other crops in sub-Saharan Africa. As it is endemic to this region and as South Africa exports most of its citrus around the world, T. leucotreta has phytosanitary status for most markets. This means that there is zero tolerance for any infestation with live larvae in the market. Consequently, control measures prior to exporting must be exemplary. Certain markets require a standalone postharvest disinfestation treatment for T. leucotreta. However, the European Union accepts a systems approach, consisting of three measures and numerous components within these measures. Although effective preharvest control measures are important under all circumstances, they are most critical where a standalone postharvest disinfestation treatment is not applied, such as within a systems approach. Conventional wisdom may lead a belief that effective chemical control tools are imperative to achieve this end. However, we demonstrate that it is possible to effectively control T. leucotreta to a level acceptable for a phytosanitary market, using only biological control tools. This includes parasitoids, predators, microbial control, semiochemicals, and sterile insects. Simultaneously, on-farm and environmental safety is improved and compliance with the increasing stringency of chemical residue requirements imposed by markets is achieved.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 404-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehrdad Alizadeh ◽  
Yalda Vasebi ◽  
Naser Safaie

AbstractThe purpose of this article was to give a comprehensive review of the published research works on biological control of different fungal, bacterial, and nematode plant diseases in Iran from 1992 to 2018. Plant pathogens cause economical loss in many agricultural products in Iran. In an attempt to prevent these serious losses, chemical control measures have usually been applied to reduce diseases in farms, gardens, and greenhouses. In recent decades, using the biological control against plant diseases has been considered as a beneficial and alternative method to chemical control due to its potential in integrated plant disease management as well as the increasing yield in an eco-friendly manner. Based on the reported studies, various species of Trichoderma, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus were the most common biocontrol agents with the ability to control the wide range of plant pathogens in Iran from lab to the greenhouse and field conditions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Elisabete Nascimento-Gonçalves ◽  
Bruno A.L. Mendes ◽  
Rita Silva-Reis ◽  
Ana I. Faustino-Rocha ◽  
Adelina Gama ◽  
...  

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies in humans, affecting approximately 1.8 million people worldwide. This disease has a major social impact and high treatment costs. Animal models allow us to understand and follow the colon cancer progression; thus, in vivo studies are essential to improve and discover new ways of prevention and treatment. Dietary natural products have been under investigation for better and natural prevention, envisioning to show their potential. This manuscript intends to provide the readers a review of rodent colorectal cancer models available in the literature, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages, as well as their potential in the evaluation of several drugs and natural compounds’ effects on colorectal cancer.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Thomas ◽  
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval ◽  
Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez

Abstract L. camara is a highly variable ornamental shrub, native of the neotropics. It has been introduced to most of the tropics and subtropics as a hedge plant and has since been reported as extremely weedy and invasive in many countries. It is generally deleterious to biodiversity and has been reported as an agricultural weed resulting in large economic losses in a number of countries. In addition to this, it increases the risk of fire, is poisonous to livestock and is a host for numerous pests and diseases. L. camara is difficult to control. In Australia, India and South Africa aggressive measures to eradicate L. camara over the last two centuries have been largely unsuccessful, and the invasion trajectory has continued upwards despite control measures. This species has been the target of biological control programmes for over a century, with successful control only being reported in a few instances.


Nematology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Fabíola de J. Silva ◽  
Regina C.F. Ribeiro ◽  
Adelica A. Xavier ◽  
Vanessa A. Gomes ◽  
Paulo V.M. Pacheco ◽  
...  

Summary Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are responsible for various significant crop losses, which require taking integrated control measures. The present study aimed to identify a possible sustainable approach to the management of Meloidogyne javanica in vegetable crops using an organic compound based on pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) fruit residues. A pot experiment was conducted using cultivars of tomato and lettuce susceptible to M. javanica, with three amendments including inorganic fertiliser, cattle manure and five doses of organic compost with pequi residues. All treatments were inoculated with second-stage juveniles of M. javanica to simulate the root-knot nematode disease in field conditions. Increasing doses of organic compost with pequi residues from 5 kg m−3 to 30 kg m−3 promoted a significant decrease in the nematode population in both cultures evaluated. Organic compost (30 kg m−3) reduced the numbers of galls and eggs of M. javanica by 41.6 and 46.5% in tomato roots, and by 80.3 and 59.2% in lettuce roots, respectively, compared with non-treated control. Organic compost also increased crop development considerably. In general, there was a 43.0% increase in plant development compared to non-treated control. Hence, organic compost of pequi residues could be an alternative to toxic chemical nematicides and recommended as eco-friendly management of M. javanica in vegetable crops.


Parasitology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 127 (S1) ◽  
pp. S159-S172 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. ITO ◽  
T. ROMIG ◽  
K. TAKAHASHI

Following a brief introduction of recent advances in molecular and immunological technology for detection of persons and animals infected withEchinococcus multilocularisand an overview of the current situation of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in Japan, perspectives on control options are discussed with reference to different epidemiological situations. AE is considered the most serious parasitic zoonosis in temperate and arctic regions of the northern hemisphere. The number of human cases differs drastically among regions. While high numbers of patients are apparently associated with highE. multilocularisprevalence in domestic dogs, e.g. in parts of Alaska and western China, the number of cases is moderate or low in areas where the parasite is mainly transmitted by wild canid species (e.g. in central Europe or temperate North America). However, the severity of the disease, the absence of curative treatment for most cases, the high cost of long-term chemotherapy and the anxiety caused for the population in highly endemic areas call for the development of preventive strategies even in regions where human AE is rare. Furthermore, in view of (1) drastically increasing numbers and infection rates of foxes involved in transmission ofE. multilocularis, and (2) increasingly close contact between humans and foxes e.g. in Europe and Japan, there is considerable concern that AE incidences may in future increase in these regions. Control options depend on a variety of factors including the species of canid principally responsible for transmission and the socio-economic situation in the region. Where domestic dogs (stray or owned) are the principal hosts forE. multilocularis, control options can include those applicable toE. granulosus, i.e. reduction of the number of stray dogs, registration and regular preventive chemotherapy of owned dogs, and information campaigns for the population promoting low-risk behaviour for man and dogs. WhereE. multilocularisis mainly transmitted by wild canids, the situation is far more difficult with preventive strategies still being in trial stage. Integrated control measures could include prevention information campaigns, restricting access of pet animals (dogs and cats) to rodents, chemotherapy of foxes on local or regional scales, and strategies to minimize contacts between people and foxes.


PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi Zeng ◽  
Lingbing Wu ◽  
Yao Zhao ◽  
Yueli Yun ◽  
Yu Peng

Background Tea is one of the most economically important crops in China. However, the tea geometrid (Ectropis obliqua), a serious leaf-feeding pest, causes significant damage to tea crops and reduces tea yield and quality. Spiders are the most dominant predatory enemies in the tea plantation ecosystem, which makes them potentially useful biological control agents of E. obliqua. These highlight the need for alternative pest control measures. Our previous studies have shown that tea saponin (TS) exerts insecticidal activity against lepidopteran pests. Here, we investigate whether TS represents a potentially new alternative insecticide with no harm to spiders. Methods We investigated laboratory bioactivities and the field control properties of TS solution against E. obliqua. (i) A leaf-dip bioassay was used to evaluate the toxicity of TS to 3rd-instar E. obliqua larvae and effects of TS on the activities of enzymes glutathione-S-transferase (GST), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CES) and peroxidase (POD) of 3rd-instar E. obliqua larvae in the laboratory. (ii) Topical application was used to measure the toxicity of 30% TS (w/v) and two chemical insecticides (10% bifenthrin EC and 50% diafenthiuron SC) to two species of spider, Ebrechtella tricuspidata and Evarcha albaria. (iii) Field trials were used to investigate the controlling efficacy of 30% TS against E. obliqua larvae and to classify the effect of TS to spiders in the tea plantation. Results The toxicity of TS to 3rd-instar E. obliqua larvae occurred in a dose-dependent manner and the LC50 was 164.32 mg/mL. Activities of the detoxifying-related enzymes, GST and POD, increased in 3rd-instar E. obliqua larvae, whereas AChE and CES were inhibited with time by treatment with TS. Mortalities of E. tricuspidata and E. albaria after 48 h with 30% TS treatment (16.67% and 20%, respectively) were significantly lower than those with 10% bifenthrin EC (80% and 73.33%, respectively) and 50% diafenthiuron EC (43.33% and 36.67%, respectively). The highest controlling efficacy of 30% TS was 77.02% at 5 d after treatment, which showed no difference to 10% bifenthrin EC or 50% diafenthiuron SC. 30% TS was placed in the class N (harmless or slightly harmful) of IOBC (International Organization of Biological Control) categories for natural enemies, namely spiders. Conclusions Our results indicate that TS is a botanical insecticide that has a good controlling efficacy in E. obliqua larvae, which suggests it has promise as application in the integrated pest management (IPM) envisaged for tea crops.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 378-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gokil Prasad Gangwar

Though the pesticides have adverse effects but they still are very important in crop protection. Hence, present study on compatibility of fungal bioagent (Trichoderma harzianum) of bacterial leaf blight of rice with chemical pesticides which are commonly used in rice cultivation was carried out with aim to look the possibilities of integrating biological control with chemical control to manage bacterial leaf blight of rice effectively. All the chemical pesticides (fungicides, antibiotic, insecticides and herbicides) exhibited varying adverse effect on mycelial growth of T. harzianum but none of these was antisporulant. Among fungicides and antibiotic, copper oxychloride and streptocycline was compatible with T. harzianum at all concentrations (2000, 1000, 500 and 250 ppm) but mancozeb exhibited compatibility only on lower concentrations (500 and 250 ppm). All insecticides and herbicides were compatible with T. harzianum at all concentrations (2000, 1000, 500 and 250 ppm). Further studies are required in this area of research.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Nathan Oigo Mokaya ◽  
Haileyesus Tessema Alemmeh ◽  
Cyrus Gitonga Ngari ◽  
Grace Gakii Muthuri

In the present paper, we formulate a new mathematical model for the dynamics of moral corruption with comprehensive age-appropriate sexual information and provision of guidance and counselling. The population is subdivided into three (3) different compartments according to their level of information on sexual matters. The model is proved to be both epidemiologically and mathematically well posed. The existence of unique morally corrupt-free and endemic equilibrium points is investigated. The basic reproduction number with respect to morally corrupt-free equilibrium is obtained using next generation matrix approach to monitor the dynamics of corrupt morals and ascertain its level in order to suggest effective intervention strategies to control this problem. The local as well as global asymptotic stability of these equilibrium points is studied. The analysis reveals a globally asymptotically stable morally corrupt-free equilibrium whenever ℛ 0 ≤ 1 and a globally asymptotically stable endemic equilibrium if otherwise. Further analysis, using center manifold theory, shows that the model exhibits forward bifurcation insinuating that the classical epidemiological requirement of ℛ 0 ≤ 1 is necessary and sufficient for elimination of moral corruption. A brief discussion on the graphical results using the available numerical procedures is shown. From numerical simulations, it was ascertain that integrated control strategy is the best approach to fight against moral corruption transmission. Lastly, some key parameters that show significance in the moral corruption elimination from the society are also exploited.


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