Biological control agents (BCAs) are potential alternatives for the chemical fungicides presently used in agriculture to fight plant diseases. Coniothyrium minitans is an example of a promising fungal BCA. It is a naturally occurring parasite of the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a wide-spread pathogen which substantially reduces the yield of many crops. This review describes, exemplified by C. minitans, the studies that need to be carried out before a fungal BCA is successfully introduced into the market. The main aspects considered are the biology of C. minitans, the development of a product by mass production of spores using solid-state fermentation technology, its biocontrol activity and marketing of the final product.
Since the appearance of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, in European glasshouses, many attempts have been made to improve the biological methods for thrips control, originally based on the control of Thrips tabaci. Introductions of Neoseiulus (Amblyseius) cucumeris have been increased with respect to both numbers per introduction and number of releases. So‐called slow‐release systems have been developed to ensure better establishment of the predator on the plant. New control agents have been tested: the predatory bug Orius insidiosus and the entomopathogenic fungus Verticillium lecanii. Additional control methods are: 1) the use of polybutenes as an insect glue on yellow polythene covers of the rock‐wool mat; 2) newly developed blue sticky traps. These new developments and prospects are discussed.
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