Biological Control of Pests & Diseases in Agriculture and Horticultural Crops: Indian Perspective
In sustainable farming, biological control plays a vital role in managing pests and diseases without harming the environment. Indian agriculture, rich in biodiversity, offers immense scope for utilizing beneficial insects and bio-control organisms to naturally suppress pests and pathogens.
Natural Pest Controllers in Indian Agriculture
Predatory Insects:
Ladybird Beetles (Coccinellidae) – Feeds on aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs.
Lacewings (Chrysoperla spp.) – Their larvae devour aphids and thrips.
Hoverflies (Syrphidae) – Larvae act as natural predators of aphids.
Parasitoids:
Trichogramma spp. – Parasitizes the eggs of lepidopteran pests like borers and caterpillars.
Braconid Wasps – Control caterpillars by laying eggs inside their bodies.
Pathogenic Microbes (Bio-Pesticides):
Beauveria bassiana – A fungus effective against whiteflies, aphids, and thrips.
Metarhizium anisopliae – Controls termites and soil-borne pests.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) – Kills caterpillars and moth larvae.
Bio-Control of Plant Diseases
Trichoderma spp. – A beneficial fungus that suppresses soil-borne pathogens like Fusarium and Pythium.
Pseudomonas fluorescens – Used for managing bacterial wilt and fungal diseases.
Bacillus subtilis – Protects crops from root and foliar diseases.
Advantages of Biological Control in Farming
Eco-friendly: Reduces chemical pesticide dependency.
Cost-effective: Minimizes expenses on synthetic pesticides.
Sustainable: Maintains ecological balance and promotes biodiversity.
Residue-free produce: Ensures safer food for consumers.
Indian farmers are increasingly adopting these biological control methods, especially in organic farming and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.
Access More Insights
Embracing biological control in Indian agriculture not only protects crops but also preserves the environment for future generations. Let’s shift towards sustainable pest and disease management with nature’s own defenders!
A comprehensive PPT presentation on this topic by Zrena Siddique offers in-depth knowledge about biological control methods.