These protozoan pathogens naturally infect a wide range of insect hosts. These viruses are good agents for species-specific, narrow spectrum, insecticidal applications. The majority of baculoviruses that are used as biological control agents belong to the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus. Baculoviruses are pathogenic agents that attack insects and other members of the phylum Arthropoda. Baculoviruses are rod-shaped particles that contain DNA. Bacillus thuringiensis \(\left( \) of all insect pathogenic viruses. The most commonly used microbial pesticides are subspecies and strains of Bacillus thuringiensis. Some of the microbes that are used as biocontrol agents are given below: a. How Microbes are Used as Biocontrol Agents?
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Delivery and application must permit full expression of the agent. Production must result in biomass with an excellent shelf life.ĥ. Should be non-pathogenic to the host plant and environment.Ĥ. Should be able to colonize and proliferate.ģ. Should be able to compete and live longer in soil and host tissue.Ģ. These highly effective bio-control agents must fulfil certain criteria like:ġ. Hence, the microbial agents are highly specific against target pests, so these promote and play a major role in the survival of beneficial insects in treated agricultural crops.Ĭharacteristics of Effective Biocontrol Agents These microbes as biocontrol agents are useful and efficient, and safe for humans and other non-target organisms.Most of the toxins that are produced by microbial pathogens have been identified as peptides, but they vary greatly in terms of structure, specificity and toxicity.The effect of microbial entomopathogens is due to the invasion through the gut of the insect, which is followed by multiplication of the pathogen resulting in the death of the host organism, for example, insects.The pathogenic effect of those microorganisms on the target pests are species-specific.A microbial toxin is a biological toxin that is derived from a microorganism, such as a bacterium or a fungus.These microbial pesticides have become an alternative to chemical insecticides with increased target specificity and ecological safety so that they are used either directly or in combination with other pest management programmes.Microbial pesticides are the ones that come from naturally occurring or genetically altered bacteria, algae, fungus, viruses or protozoans.Biopesticides are certain pesticides derived from natural or biological agents like plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc., to destroy or control weeds, insects and pathogens.Īccording to the nature of organisms, Biopesticides are of two types: microbial pesticides and biochemical pesticides.