On the social value of biological control of weeds

Abstract

Weeds are any plants growing where they are not wanted. Their most profound effect is in reducing agricultural production. Chemical weed control is the most common method of attacking weeds. However there are several disadvantages in using herbicides including non‐target damage and environmental contamination. Biological weed control using natural enemies of weeds, insects or microorganisms, offers several advantages over chemical and mechanical control of weeds. The use of exotic organisms, usually insects, which reproduce and spread of their own accord (“classical biocontrol”) and the use of endemic organisms applied in high numbers (“inundative biocontrol”), usually fungi (“mycoherbicides” or “bioherbicides”), is discussed.