Q.
Which one of the following is an example of carrying out biological control of pests/diseases using microbes?
4519
197
AIPMTAIPMT 2012Microbes in Human Welfare
Report Error
Solution:
Many species of Trichoderma are used for preventing fungal infections in plants. The fungus forms a symbiotic association with the roots of the plants and suppresses the growth of any other fungus. This property of the fungus is used for biological control of pests.
Nucleo polyhedrosis virus is commonly used for the control of pets. The virus attacks the cell structure of the caterpillar and forms the crystals which kill the caterpillar. This property is also used for the destruction of fungus cells which acts on the plants. The virus os used to control white rust in Brassica species.
Bt cotton is a product produced by the company Monsanto. The cotton plant is transgenically produced by introducing cry gene from Bacillus thuringiensis in the cells of the plant. The cry gene is responsible for the production of crystal proteins called endotoxin. This protein causes pores in the gut of the pests and acts as an insecticide. This helps in increasing the yield of the crop.