BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF AGRICULTURAL PESTS BY FILAMENTOUS FUNGI

Abstract

Agricultural use of chemical pesticides has polluted the environment and resulted in resistance among the target organisms. The chemical strategies of pest control are dangerous to both the nontarget organisms in natural habitats and human health. Biological control is an attractive less dangerous possibility for controlling plant pathogens.Some methods of biological control are becoming now commercially available against plant parasitic fungi, nematods and insects. Among filamentous fungi many candidates with biocontrol potential can be found. Fungal biocontrol agents are less effective and reliable than the synthetic pesticides therefore their use in the agricultural practice requires genetic improvement.