How is the effectiveness of biological control agents measured?

PUC Communications.- The growing concern about the repercussions of the use of pesticides on biodiversity and human health; Together with the increased demand for products from biodiversity-friendly production systems, including organic ones, they have led to increasing interest in alternative pest control methods, including the use of biological control agents. In this sense, the Genetic Resources Commission of the Food Agriculture of the United Nations (FAO) entrusted a group of experts from various countries with the preparation of a document to learn about the current status and management of biological control agents worldwide, whether microorganisms or invertegrates; together with microbial biostimulants, their needs, challenges and opportunities.

This is the publication “Sustainable use and conservation of microbial and invertebrate biological control agents and microbial biostimulants”, in which the academic and researcher from the Faculty of Agronomy and Forest Engineering UC, Tania Zaviezo. “This document presents an overview of the current situation of KBAs and biostimulants (focusing only on microorganisms and invertebrates), needs and challenges in terms of improving their management, and potential opportunities for the Commission and its members to contribute to efforts to address them,” he said.

Benefits for Agriculture

«This publication reviews and updates aspects of biological control and the use of natural enemies and microbial biostimulants, which are important in their promotion and the development of public policies, at the country or regional level, that can increase their use in a sustainable and responsible manner. » added the academic.

This work has 10 recommendations for the sustainable use and conservation of these organisms. In addition, it suggests 9 opportunities for FAO in the context of its Framework for Action on Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture. “The scope covers all sectors of agriculture as defined by FAO, ie crop and livestock production, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture,” he concluded.

“This document presents an overview of the current situation of KBAs and biostimulants (focusing only on microorganisms and invertebrates), needs and challenges in terms of improving their management”, – Tania Zaviezo, academic at the Faculty of Agronomy and Forest Engineering.

Download the publication “Sustainable use and conservation of microbial and invertebrate biological control agents and microbial biostimulants” here.