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Microbes as Biocontrol Agents

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Estimated time: 7 minutes
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Key Points: Types of Biocontrol Agents

Category Biocontrol Agent Target / Use
Insects Ladybird beetle Controls aphids
Insects Dragonfly Controls mosquitoes
Viruses Baculoviruses (NPV) Control insect pests like bollworm
Bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis Controls insect pests and mosquito larvae
Bacteria Agrobacterium radiobacter (K-84) Controls crown gall disease
Bacteria Pseudomonas sp. Controls fungal disease (damping off)
Fungi Trichoderma sp. Controls many plant diseases
Fungi Beauveria, Metarhizium, Verticillium Control insect pests
Fungi Aschersonia aleyrodis Controls whiteflies
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12

Key Points: Microbes as Biocontrol Agents

  • Meaning — Biocontrol agents are microbes that control pests by causing disease, competing with, or killing them, reducing dependence on chemical pesticides.
  • Biopesticides — Safer, eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. Key agents: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) → caterpillars, beetles; Beauveria bassiana → aphids, mites, white flies; Nosema locustae (protozoa) → grasshoppers, crickets; NPV & Granulovirus → gypsy moths, ants, wasps.
  • Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) — Dried spores mixed with water and sprayed on plants to kill butterfly caterpillars. Most widely used bacterial biocontrol agent.
  • Trichoderma — A fungus that acts as a biocontrol agent specifically against soil-borne fungal plant pathogens.
  • Microbial Herbicides — Phytophthora palmivora → milkweed; Alternaria crassa → water hyacinth; Fusarium spp. → most weeds; Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas, Agrobacterium → several weeds.
  • Insects as Herbicides — Tyria moth controls Senecio jacobeae weed; Cactoblastis cactorum controls cacti weeds.

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