1. Unit 16
Integrated Pest Management and the Biological Control of Pests and Diseases

2. Introduction
New and more effective biological control agents for plant pests are being developed
As toxic chemical pesticides are pulled from the market, biological control agents are replacing them
In addition, horticulturists are employing sustainable pest management strategies to be environmentally safe and friendly

3. Integrated Pest Management
OVERVIEW
IMP approach to pest control
Tested and found to be very effective
Greatly reduces the need for applying chemicals
Regular monitoring is key

4. Integrated Pest Management
OVERVIEW
IPM programs
Employ the following techniques
Scouting
Trapping
Monitoring
Pest identifying
Maintaining the threshold
Combining mechanical, biological, and chemical controls

5. Integrated Pest Management
PLANT DISEASES AND IPM
Plant diseases are not quite as easy to control with IPM as insects
Good sanitation
Early identification, and prompt control
Disease-resistant varieties reduce or eliminate the need for chemical control of some diseases

6. A History of Biological Control
OVERVIEW
Oldest control method available
Humans must rethink their strategy on pest control
Must be willing to live with a few pests
Must learn what environment the natural biological control agents need to survive

7. A History of Biological Control
EXAMPLES OF SUCCESS
Successful biological control of some insects
Japanese beetle—introducing two natural enemies
Aphids—releasing European seven-spotted lady beetles
Gypsy moth—using biological agents and baited sex attractants

8. A History of Biological Control
THE NEED FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
Many chemicals are no longer effective because insects become resistant to them
Despite close monitoring, new plant pests and weeds are still being introduced into the United States

9. Chemical-Free Control
OVERVIEW
Insects are controlled to a great extent by natural forces
Natural enemies help keep populations under control
Birds
Other insects
Commercial preparations for chemical-free control
Naturally occurring disease organisms

10. Chemical-Free Control
OVERVIEW
Natural enemies and other biological controls
Parasitic wasps for the bean beetle
Thuricide for many worms or caterpillars
Using the insect’s own uric acid as poison
The fungus Talaromyces flavus, fights other harmful fungi

11. Biological Control Systems
OVERVIEW
Should be considered first
Added to the soil or sprayed on plants
Controls are very effective
Do not poison the environment
Every pest is not killed in 1 or 2 days

12. Biological Control Systems
SPECIFIC EXAMPLES
The plant itself is resistant
The agents grow on or in the pest
The agents compete for food and space
Natural enemies available commercially
Parasitoids
Predators
Entomopathogenic (beneficial) nematodes

13. Biological Control Systems
DISEASE-AND INSECT-RESISTANT PLANTS
Many such plants are available
Should be selected and used
Some varieties do not need chemical sprays
Neem tree
Ginkgo tree

14. Biological Control Systems
ENDOPHYTES
Fungi and bacteria
Protect plants against insect attack
Provide specific insect control in other plants
Corn borer in corn
Treated endophytes are forced into the corn seed
Grows with the corn
Controls the corn borer

15. Biological Control Systems
NATURAL PESTICIDES
Plants that show promise
Basil
Big sagebrush
Chilcuan
Mamey
Calamuse
Neem tree extract—azadirachtina

16. Biological Control Systems
PEST LIFE CYCLE
Life cycle must be known
At times in the life cycle of a pest, it is easier to control
At other times, control is not possible
Many insects, if hit by oil spray during egg or early hatch stage, are effectively controlled
Oils are not toxic

17. Biological Control Systems
CROP ROTATION
Controls some insects that do not move rapidly from place to place
Also controls insects that do not travel for long distances

18. Biological Control Systems
HAND PICKING
When only a few insects are present
Effective
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF INSECTS
Figure 16–12 lists specific types of biological control agents

19. Biological Control Systems
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PLANT DISEASES
Ninety-nine percent of soil organisms are beneficial
Less than 1 percent cause diseases
Good soil microbes are now being genetically improved
Live longer in the soil
Be resistant to chemicals used to fight diseases

20. Biological Control Systems
NEW STRAINS OF BIOCONTROL MICROBES
Chemicals and ultraviolet light
Used to improve biological agents to fight soil-borne diseases
Some of the microbes not killed by benomyl, became stronger
Chemical/UV light treatment made control agents more effective
Methods to mass-produce good microbes

21. Biological Control Systems
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF WEEDS
Plant diseases that attack a specific weed are being developed
Skeleton weed
Weed joint vetch
ALLELOPATHY
Some plants secrete chemicals that inhibit root growth or seed germination of other plants

22. Why Use Biological Pest Control?
OVERVIEW
Reasons to use biological pest control
Dollar cost is much less in the long run
Do not poison the environment
Insects becoming resistant to many chemical pesticides
Man-made chemicals cause cancer
Chemical pesticides are getting into our drinking water
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is restricting the use of many chemical pesticides

23. Why Use Biological Pest Control?
FUTURE OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
Microorganisms can clean up chemical spills in the soil and water
Genetic engineering, selection, and understanding of habit creates limitless possibilities

24. New Biological Control Methods Under Study
OVERVIEW
Biological control methods being studied
ClandoSan—by product of crab and shellfish
Vectobac—insecticide for fungus
Potato with a built-in insect repellent—leptine
Corn vaccination—produces toxin deadly to the corn borer
Japanese beetle control—nematodes Heterohabditis HP88

25. New Biological Control Methods Under Study
NEWEST RESEARCH
Fungus as a fumigant
Neem oil
Abamectin
Beneficial fungus
Enterobacter cloacae and Burkholderia cepacia
Ailanthus altissima
Cont.

26. New Biological Control Methods Under Study
NEWEST RESEARCH
Armicarb (potassium bicarbonate)
Benzaldehyde
Kaolin
Chromobacterium suttsuga
Pro-mix
Rosemary oil

27. New Biological Control Methods Under Study
HOW NATURAL BIOPESTICIDES WORK
As parasites—host specific
As predators—search for organisms to eat
As competitors—colonize all the space in the soil
As plant stimulators or vaccines—turn on/increase natural immunity

28. New Biological Control Methods Under Study
THE SOIL
Alive with natural pesticides
85 natural compounds from soil fungi have been found that are toxic to insects
Adding compost and good microorganisms
Many root diseases can be controlled

29. New Biological Control Methods Under Study
INSECT GROWTH REGULATORS
Newest class of biological insecticides
Some advantages
Effective at very low concentrations
Long-term control
Some disadvantages
Take longer to work
Quickly break down

30. Summary
Biological control of plant pests is becoming more widespread as new and more effective control agents are developed
As toxic man-made pesticides are pulled from the market, they are being replaced by biological control agents that are sustainable green alternatives
These new agents are safer and often cheaper, and insects and diseases have shown little, if any, resistance to them

31. Summary
Horticulturists today are employing sustainable pest management strategies in their priorities to use products that are more environmentally safe and friendly