Insects, biological weed control

Biological weed control nsnally involves the use of insects and disease-cansing agents which attack certain weed species. An example is the con-... 

While leafy spurge can be controlled by herbicides ( ) or vigorous cultivation, the cost of control is continuous since current chemical means do not eradicate this weed. More than 20 million dollars a year is spent for the control of this plant, and its agro-economic impact is greater than 12 million dollars per year in the state of North Dakota alone ( ). Recent research efforts on the leafy spurge problem have concentrated on Increased herbicide efficiency and the successful application of insect biological control methods. 

Bloactive polymers are macromolecules that can exhibit biological activity in use areas such as medication, weed control, Insect control, etc. 

Diseases, insects, and weeds are important constrains to crop production their combined effect has been "questimated" at 25-45%, on a world-wide basis. Pesticides comprise one of the major means of pests. In the U.S., insecticides, herbicides, or fungicides are used on more than 90 million hectares of crop land. Percentages of crop area treated with pesticides range from <1 to >90% for crops ranging from pasture to apples. The amount of chemicals used and the seriousness of plant pests mandate that pesticide usage be based on sound biological data and principles. Pest control decisions ideally are based on 1) precise estimates of pest density and... 

Pesticides are chemical or biological substances intended to control weeds, insects, fungi, rodents, bacteria, and other pests. They protect food crops and livestock, control household pests, promote agricultural productivity, and protect public health. The importance of pesticides to modern society can be summarized by a statement made by Norman E. Borlaug, the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner Let s get our priorities in perspective. We must feed ourselves and protect ourselves against the health hazards of the world. To do that, we must have agricultural chemicals. Without them, the world population will starve [1]. 

Louda, S.M. Kendall, D. Connor, J. Simberlolf, D. (1997) Ecological elfects of an insect introduced for the biological control of weeds. Science, 277, 1088-90. 

Habeck, D.H. (1977). The potential of using insects for biological control of weeds in citrus. Proc. Inti. Soc. Citriculture, 1 146-148. Hall, D. and D.P.H. Tucker (1987). Prevention is the best strategy for combating goatweed. Citrus Ind., 68 34-38. 

Biotechnology currently emphasizes microscale aspects that were not visible or envisioned until about 150 years ago, including (1) microbes (2) stereochemistry of reactions, molecular biology including transcription of genetic codes and translation for protein production and cell multiplication and (3) enzymes as catalysts. Humans came to only partially understand the nature of systems (animals, plants, insects, and soil) they handled in agriculture. Modern biotechnology must address needs of these systems, as well as those of people. Animals and plants must be healthy and adequately nourished, the pests (weeds and insects) controllable, the soil kept productive, and all must function in acceptable harmony if the quality of human life is to be sustained or improved as the population increases. 

---