Approaches of Biological Control

Introduction to approaches of biological control

Large numbers of biological control agents are active in the field and are naturally performing biological control functions. This phenomenon is known as naturally occurring biological control or natural biological control. Natural biological control is the most important component of pest management in crop fields. In its absence, crop production would be extremely difficult.

Natural biological control is often limited by factors such as low plant diversity and its consequences for natural enemy populations - pesticide use or highly seasonal planting of field crops. As pests enter crops early in the season, and start to grow rapidly on abundant food, it is difficult for natural enemies to keep up with them.

Therefore, in order to create favorable situations for natural enemies, interventions are often necessary. There are three major interventions:

1. conservation
2. augmentation and
3. introduction or classical biological control.

Figure 1. Approaches of biological control.