Q. Which of the following is an example of carrying out biological control of pest or disease-causing microbes?
Solution:
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a microbial biocontrol agent that can be introduced to control butterfly caterpillars. These are available in sachets as dried spores which are mixed with water and sprayed onto vulnerable plants such as Brassica species and fruit trees, where these are eaten by insect larvae. In the gut of the larvae, the toxin is released and the larvae get killed. The bacterial disease kills the caterpillars, but leave other insects unharmed.
Baculoviruses are pathogens that prey on insects and other arthropods. The majority of baculoviruses used as biocontrol agents are in the genus Nucleopolyhedrovius (NPV). These viruses have species-specific, narrow spectrum insecticidal applications. They have negative impacts on plants, mammals, birds, fish or even on non-target insects.
Ladybird, a beetle with red and black markings, is useful in controlling aphids.
Trichoderma is a biological control being developed for use in the treatment of plant diseases. Trichoderma species are free-living fungi that are very common in the root ecosystems and are effective against several plants pathogens.
Baculoviruses are pathogens that prey on insects and other arthropods. The majority of baculoviruses used as biocontrol agents are in the genus Nucleopolyhedrovius (NPV). These viruses have species-specific, narrow spectrum insecticidal applications. They have negative impacts on plants, mammals, birds, fish or even on non-target insects.
Ladybird, a beetle with red and black markings, is useful in controlling aphids.
Trichoderma is a biological control being developed for use in the treatment of plant diseases. Trichoderma species are free-living fungi that are very common in the root ecosystems and are effective against several plants pathogens.