Biological control of plant pests is
a. the use of man-made chemicals to control pests b. a mixture between man-made and natural chemicals c. using living natural organisms or material for control of plant pests d. the newest control method
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is c. using living natural organisms or material for control of plant pests.
Biological control is a method that relies on natural organisms or substances to control pest populations in agricultural or horticultural settings. This approach involves using predators, parasites, or pathogens that naturally occur in the environment to keep pest populations in check. The key advantage of biological control is that it minimizes the use of synthetic chemicals, which can have harmful effects on the environment, non-target species, and human health.
Biological control can take several forms. One common method is the introduction of natural predators to reduce pest numbers. For example, ladybugs are used to control aphid populations. Another method is the use of parasitoid insects, which lay their eggs on or inside pest insects. As the parasitoid larvae develop, they kill the pest insect, thus reducing its population. Fungal pathogens, bacteria, and viruses can also be used to target specific pests, such as the use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to control caterpillars.
In addition to controlling pest populations, biological control can contribute to maintaining ecological balance by preserving the diversity of the local environment. This makes it a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical control methods. However, it is important to carefully select and monitor the biological agents introduced into an ecosystem to prevent unintended consequences, such as the agent becoming invasive or harming non-target species.
Overall, biological control has become an essential tool in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, which aim to control pest populations through a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods, when necessary. This approach helps to reduce dependency on chemical pesticides, promoting long-term environmental health and agricultural sustainability.