This book presents an exhaustive overview of the theoretical foundations and practical applications of biocontrol in agriculture. It encompasses all kinds of nature-based approaches for crop protection: introduction and conservation of natural enemies, release of sterile insects, enhancement of plant defenses, use of microorganisms, biopesticides, and semiochemicals. Cutting-edge knowledge in population biology, microbial ecology, epidemiology and chemical ecology is presented in accessible terms. The potential of field application is discussed with regard to practical aspects but also socioeconomic constraints. The 62 authors are researchers from a large panel of disciplines, from theoretical biology to social sciences.

This volume is a comprehensive treatment of how the principles of ecology and conservation biology can be used to maximize biological control. Conservation Biological Control presents various means to modify or manipulate the environment to enhance the activities of natural enemies of pests. It establishes a conceptual link between ecology and the agricultural use of agents for biological control, and discusses both theoretical issues as well as practical management concerns. Certain to be interesting to ecologists and entomologists, this volume will also appeal to scientists, faculty, researchers and students interested in pest management, horticulture, plant sciences, and agriculture. - Contains chapters by an international team of leading authorities - Establishes a conceptual link between ecology and the agricultural use of agents for biological control - Discusses both theoretical issues as well as practical management concerns - Provides specific examples of how conservation principles are used to maximize the biological control of pests

An authoritative reference on the subject of using non-chemical controls on greenhouse-grown crops, this book explains the latest in crop-management techniques from around the globe. The contributing authors come from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Italy, and Asia. Biological control factors and the various types of controls -- predators, parasites, nematodes, and pathogens -- are described. Information is also provided on greenhouse structures, sampling, quality control, specific pests on both ornamental and vegetable crops -- whiteflies, spider mites, leafminers, thrips, aphids, other minor pests -- and soil borne pests. Specific crops are also discussed, including chrysanthemums, poinsettias, cut flowers, foliage plants, woody ornamentals, bedding plants, cucumbers, sweet peppers, tomatoes, and mushrooms.

This book is the first to integrate biological control into a conceptual framework – ecostacking - uniting all aspects of biological control and ecosystem services. In 2018 the "First International Congress of Biological Control" was organised and held in Beijing, China. The chapters highlight some of the achievements presented at the congress, worldwide. Of particular significance are the numerous contributions by Chinese researchers illustrating the remarkable progress made on developing and adopting multiple biological control strategies over vast agricultural areas, largely replacing chemical pesticides for sustainable agricultural and horticultural production. In many parts of the world including Europe, fragmented research based on short-term funding has been unable to answer to the needs to develop sustainable long-term solutions to crop protection, while colleagues in China have been successful in implementing programs that exemplify the power of the ecostacking approach. Key contributions by European and US specialists combined with the expertise and experiences by the Chinese contributors comprise the building blocks for the integration of biological control approaches into the overall frame of ecostacking. This book will lead the way to a broader, integrated adoption of biological control techniques in sustainable pest, disease and weed management supporting also the functioning of other key ecosystem services. Chapter 2 of this book isavailable open access under a CC BY 4.0 license at link.springer.com

In modern crop cultivation, biological control is used primarily for controlling insect pests. The main advantages of bio control technology or biological control are that no artificial substances are added and that pathogens/animals that develop resistance against biological control agents are rare. This approach has no adverse effects on human health or the environment and is self-sustaining. This is a comprehensive, authentic, and standard book on advances in biological control pest management technology, divided in fifteen chapters which deal with significance and importance of biological control in insect pest management, history of biological control, and why do we need it. This book has been crafted to accomplish the needs of undergraduate and postgraduate students of global universities in integrated nematode pest management technology.

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