Which of the following statements is correct regarding biocontrol methods for plant diseases and pests?

Statement I: Biocontrol involves the utilization of biological approaches to manage plant diseases and pests.

Statement II: The adoption of biocontrol measures can significantly decrease our reliance on harmful chemicals and pesticides.

Both statements I and II are correct.

The correct answer is Option (1)- Both statements I and II are correct

Both statements I and II are correct.

Biocontrol involves the application of biological techniques to control plant diseases and pests, and it can greatly reduce our reliance on toxic chemicals and pesticides .In agriculture, there is a method of controlling pests that relies on natural predation rather than introduced chemicals.

Explanation:

Statement I is correct as biocontrol refers to the use of biological methods, such as the introduction of natural enemies or the use of microbial agents, to manage plant diseases and pests.

Statement (II) is also correct as the adoption of biocontrol measures can indeed reduce our dependence on toxic chemicals and pesticides. By utilizing natural predators or microorganisms, biocontrol methods provide an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to pest and disease management in agriculture.

An example of microbial biocontrol agents that can be introduced to control butterfly caterpillars is the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (often written as Bt ). These are available in sachets as dried spores which are mixed with water and sprayed onto vulnerable plants such as brassicas and fruit trees, where these are eaten by the insect larvae.

A biological control being developed for use in the treatment of plant disease is the fungus Trichoderma. Trichoderma species are free-living fungi that are very common in the root ecosystems. They are effective biocontrol agents of several plant pathogens.

Baculoviruses are pathogens that attack insects and other arthropods. The majority of baculoviruses used as biological control agents are in the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus.