Which of the following statements about baculoviruses as biocontrol agents are correct?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → All of the above statements are correct.
Baculoviruses are viruses that cause disease in insects and other arthropods, so they are used as microbial biocontrol agents. Their strength is that they are narrow-spectrum: they act on the target pest species and leave other life forms alone.
Option (1) Baculoviruses do not cause harm to plants, mammals, birds, fish, and other non-target insects. — Correct statement, but it is only one of the correct points, so on its own it is not the answer. Baculoviruses have been shown to have no negative impacts on plants, mammals, birds, fish or even on non-target insects. This makes them useful where beneficial insects are being conserved.
Option (2) The majority of these biocontrol agents belong to the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus. — Correct statement, but it is only one of the correct points, so on its own it is not the answer. Most baculoviruses used as biological control agents are in the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus.
Option (3) Baculoviruses are pathogens that specifically target insects and other arthropods. — Correct statement, but it is only one of the correct points, so on its own it is not the answer. Baculoviruses are pathogens that attack insects and other arthropods, and they are excellent candidates for species-specific insecticidal applications.
Since all three statements are correct, Option (4) is the answer.
NCERT Extract:
Microbes as Biocontrol Agents – “… Baculoviruses are pathogens that attack insects and other arthropods. The majority of baculoviruses used as biological control agents are in the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus. These viruses are excellent candidates for species-specific, narrow spectrum insecticidal applications. They have been shown to have no negative impacts on plants, mammals, birds, fish or even on non-target insects. This is especially desirable when beneficial insects are being conserved to aid in an overall integrated pest management (IPM) programme, or when an ecologically sensitive area is being treated.”