Potentials of biological control of plant diseases in the tropics

Abstract

This paper highlights the various categories of biological control, which are employed in an Integrated Disease Management (IDM) scheme. These include conservation, classical biocontrol and augmentation. Also, the various types of biocontrol agents/agencies which are currently in use in various parts of the world like, parasites, predators, nutrient competition, induced resistance and antibiotic production are enunciated. The overall effect on post-harvest diseases of crops and the issue of increased food production are reviewed.

Keywords: biological control, biological control agents, post-harvest diseases

International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 6 2005: 151-158