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Pesticides.

Pests that affect human health and crops are a major problem.

However, one possible consequence of using pesticides is that beneficial

organisms living in the same environment as the pests could also be

harmed. This can happen because many pesticides kill more than just

the pest. For example, the lygus bug are pest that feeds

on alfalfa and canola plants and causes severe damage to these crops.

However, pesticides that are sprayed to kill lygus bugs also kill bees.

Another downside to using pesticides is that they can also harm the

beneficial insects that normally prey on the pests. This can result in

the populations of pests actually increasing because there are fewer

organisms to prey on them!

Biological control.

Another way to control insect pests is to use their natural enemies.

This method, called biological control, can be very effective and limits

or eliminates the need for pesticides. For example, leafy spurge is a

weed that was accidentally introduced into Canada in the late 1800s . Leafy spurge grows faster than naturally occurring

pasture grasses. Cattle will not eat leafy spurge, so land that is infested

with this weed cannot carry livestock. The black dot spurge beetle is a

small beetle that feeds on leafy spurge. The beetle was introduced into Alberta in 1983, and has been very successful in

controlling the spread of leafy spurge. Desirable plants, such as pasture

and rangeland grasses, are returning to the areas where leafy spurge

used to grow. Although biological control can work very well, there can be risks.

Whenever a new organism that is not native to the area is introduced

to an ecosystem, there is always a risk that it will cause harm.

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What reason might a farmer have for using biological control instead of chemical pesticides?

A farmer might choose biological control over chemical pesticides to minimize negative impacts on the environment and human health, reduce chemical residues on produce, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Biological control methods also have the potential for long-term pest management and are often more target-specific.


What are some biological alternatives to chemical pesticides?

Some biological alternatives to chemical pesticides include introducing natural predators or parasites to control pest populations, using insecticidal soaps or oils derived from plants, and planting trap crops to attract pests away from main crops. Crop rotation and intercropping with pest-repellent plants can also help reduce the need for chemical pesticides.


How does biological control and genetic modification be used instead of pesticides and herbicides to control pests that destroy crops?

Biological control involves using natural enemies of pests, such as predators or pathogens, to keep pest populations in check. Genetic modification can be used to engineer crops that are resistant to pests, reducing the need for chemical control methods. These approaches can be more environmentally friendly and sustainable than using pesticides and herbicides.


What do Biological pest control involves?

Biological pest control involves using living organisms, such as predators, parasites, or pathogens, to control pest populations in an environmentally friendly way. These natural enemies help to manage pest populations by either killing the pests directly or interfering with their reproductive cycle. Biological control can be a sustainable and effective alternative to chemical pesticides.


What is the difference between chemical and biological pest control?

In chemical control some kind of chemical is the killing agent, while in biological control the killing agent is a live organism. It may be a predetor or a bacteria or a paracite or fungi. While the definition is simple there is a multitude of implications. A chemical may be long lasting or degradable, but it never thinks nor can it reproduce. Both can have side effects which at times cause more damage then the original pest/disease they were meant to treat does.

Related Questions

Type of farming that doesn't use pesticides?

* Organic agriculture actually organic farming does use pesticides, what you're looking for is "biological control" which means it allows the use of synthetic fertilizers but trades chemical pest control with biological pest control. in biological control one applies parasitic wasps, entomophagic fungie and other such agents in much the same way one would apply chemical pesticides.


What is biological control used for?

Biological control is the use of a pey species to control pests and parasites i.e. to use Encarsia formosa the Chalcid wasp to control Whitefly. This avoids the use of pesticides.


What reason might a farmer have for using biological control instead of chemical pesticides?

A farmer might choose biological control over chemical pesticides to minimize negative impacts on the environment and human health, reduce chemical residues on produce, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Biological control methods also have the potential for long-term pest management and are often more target-specific.


What are some biological alternatives to chemical pesticides?

Some biological alternatives to chemical pesticides include introducing natural predators or parasites to control pest populations, using insecticidal soaps or oils derived from plants, and planting trap crops to attract pests away from main crops. Crop rotation and intercropping with pest-repellent plants can also help reduce the need for chemical pesticides.


What is the difference between feedback and control?

difference between feedback and control


How does biological control and genetic modification be used instead of pesticides and herbicides to control pests that destroy crops?

Biological control involves using natural enemies of pests, such as predators or pathogens, to keep pest populations in check. Genetic modification can be used to engineer crops that are resistant to pests, reducing the need for chemical control methods. These approaches can be more environmentally friendly and sustainable than using pesticides and herbicides.


What do Biological pest control involves?

Biological pest control involves using living organisms, such as predators, parasites, or pathogens, to control pest populations in an environmentally friendly way. These natural enemies help to manage pest populations by either killing the pests directly or interfering with their reproductive cycle. Biological control can be a sustainable and effective alternative to chemical pesticides.


What are solutions to biological magnification pesticides?

Reducing monoculture, crop rotation, biological controls, the production of biodegradable pesticides and genetically engineering plants to produce their own pesticides are some solutions to biological magnification. Education about the impact of pesticides on the ecosystem and human health is also important.


What is the difference between mechanical and biological method of controlling weeds?

Mechanical means using machinery whereas biological means using another form of life to control the weed. Biological way is Eco-friendly. Go Bio whenever possible!


What is the difference between chemical and biological pest control?

In chemical control some kind of chemical is the killing agent, while in biological control the killing agent is a live organism. It may be a predetor or a bacteria or a paracite or fungi. While the definition is simple there is a multitude of implications. A chemical may be long lasting or degradable, but it never thinks nor can it reproduce. Both can have side effects which at times cause more damage then the original pest/disease they were meant to treat does.


What are biological control of pests?

Biological control of pests involves using natural enemies such as predators, parasites, or pathogens to manage pest populations. This method is a sustainable and environmentally-friendly approach to pest management that can help reduce the need for chemical pesticides. Biological control can help maintain ecological balance and is often used in integrated pest management programs.


What is the difference between normal cotton and organic cotton?

The only difference - is that the organic cotton has been grown without the use of artificial pesticides etc. Farmers have used natural products (eg natural fertilizers) to aid growth, and using other insects to keep pests under control rather than use manufactured pesticides.