What are advantages and disadvantages of biological control?

Answer 1

ADVANTAGES

the most important advantage to the use of biological control is that it typically offers longer term management than the more traditional technology areas. longer term control is achieved because biocontrol agents act as if a host specific control method is continualy present and impacting the target plant.

for example, once an agent is released and well established, insect population levels cycle proportionately with the population of the plant. that is when plant population levels are high, there will be a corresponding increase in the population levels of the biocontrol gents. when plant levels decrease, there is a corresponding decrease in the numbers of the biocontrol agents persist and continually exert controlling or regulatory pressure on the target plant.

another advantage is that the cost for control is typically lower to relative to more traditional control procedures. typically, biocontrol agents are released in relatively low numbers for only a short time in the beginning of the program unlike more traditional methods of control which are used continually over many years. after the releases are discontinued, the agent population increases, if successful and begings to damage the target population. only in rare circumstances are the agents released continually. a lower cost for control is the result, because the initial cost of introduction, release and establishment is offset by the value of achieving and maintaining control for many years after the initial release of the organisms, i.e: beefits accrae over many years.

selectivity,it does not intestify o create new pest problems.

no manufacturing of new chemicals, the organisms are already available.

control organisms will increase in number and spread.

the pest is unable ( or very slow) to develop a resistance.

control is self perpetuating.

free of side effects

safe to handle or use

occurs naturally

high degree of host specificity

cost effective

self perpetuation

searching ability

survive of low host density

pesicides which are harmful to all parts of the food chain, are not needed.

biological control is self- perpetuating

suitable biological control organisms do not attack other species

usually a large proportion of the post population is destroyed.

DISADVANTAGES

control is slow

i will not exterminate the pest

it is often unpredictable

it is difficult and expensive to develop and supply

it requires expert supervision

slow to achieve results

impact often not dramatic

partial success

can be complex

disruption of food chains

the need for environmentally unfriendly follow up operations to ensure that the populations does not build up resistance to the biological control agent.

Answer 2

it helps in the production of food