jnkvv college of agriculture tikamgar

1. Advantages of Microbial Control
1) Host specificity:
The relatively high degree of specificity of most
pathogens tends to protect the beneficial insects.
2) Ability of Multiply in their Target Hosts:
When microbial pathogens applied through
artificial dissemination for short term control of
the pest the disease will persist and spread in the
host population and initiate epizootics. They
persist in the residual population and prevent
pest resurgence. The microbial agents the target
pest at low levels for several years.

2. 3)No problem of Toxic Residues:
Microbial agents are usually harmless and non-toxic to
other forms of life because they do not possess any
toxic residues. The spray deposits on plant surfaces are
quickly inactivated by UV radiation of sunlight.
4) No Evidence of Resistance:
Microbial do not create resistance problems either in
target or non target species. The absence of resistance
to a microbial pathogen, make the insect pathogens as
idea pesticidal agents for their use in pest management
programmes.

3. 5) No Problem of Cross Resistance:
The pathogens do not show cross resistance with
chemical compounds. They can provide relief in
situation where insecticides have become ineffective
due to pest resistance.
6) Conventional Techniques/Methods for Application:
The microbial pathogens are highly versatile in so far as
the method of their application is concerned. The
method of application through spraying or dusting
could be done with usual application equipments.

4. 7) Permanent Control of Pest:
On introduction of pathogen in target pest population
and them its colonization brought about the
permanent measure of pest control through their self
dissemination within pest population.
8) Ideally Suited for Integration with most other
Plant Protection Measures used in IPM
Programmes:Many pathogens are compactable with
chemical insecticides, fungicides, biological agents
and other methods of pest control like plant
resistance pheromones, chemosterilants etc.

5. 9) Production Technology:
Mass multiplication of the pathogen could
be done with simple techniques which can
be ideally suited for a cottage type
industry.
10) No fear of environmental pollution
and hence eco-friendly/environmental
friendly measure as far as recent
approach of man’s safety is concerned.