Given below are two statements
Statement 1: Baculoviruses belonging to genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus are used as biological control agent.
Statement 2: These viruses are used as they are species-specific and have narrow spectrum insecticidal applications, so can be a good insecticide.
In the light of above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Both statement 1 and statement 2 are correct
A biological control agent is a living organism used to kill pests or plant pathogens, in place of chemical pesticides.
Statement 1: Baculoviruses belonging to genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus are used as biological control agent. — Correct. Baculoviruses are pathogens that attack insects and other arthropods. Most of those used for biocontrol belong to the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus.
Statement 2: These viruses are used as they are species-specific and have narrow spectrum insecticidal applications, so can be a good insecticide. — Correct. Each virus attacks only its own target pest. It does not harm plants, mammals, birds, fish or useful insects. This makes it a safe insecticide for integrated pest management.
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.”