Biological Control Agents for Pest Management and Advancements in Crop Development

Abstract

Changing agro-climatic conditions are exacerbating the incidence of various insect pests, posing significant threats to crop productivity for human consumption. Due to the drawbacks associated with conventional chemical approaches, there is a growing interest in employing biological control methods as a secure and economical remedy for pest management challenges. The maximum utilization of biological control in recent years can be attributed due to its long-term ability against and specially for target species. Unlike chemical methods that harm non-target species, pose health risks to humans, and pollute the environment, biological control offers a more targeted and sustainable approach. This chapter aims to explore the major aspects of biological pest control, focusing on various strategies employed for successful pest management in farms, greenhouses, gardens, and forests. These strategies include conservation biological control, classical bio-control and control by augmentation the further unleashing of natural enemies via inundation or by inoculation.