Microbial pest control agents

International Programme on Chemical Safety (1999) Environmental Health Criteria 217 Microbial Pest Control Agent Bacillus thuringiensis. Geneva, Switzerland World Health Organization. 

Anonymous. 1988. Toxicology Guidelines for Microbial Pest Control Agents, Subdivision M. U.W. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide and Toxic Substances, Washington, DC. 

Siegel, J.P. J.A. Shadduck. 1992. Testing the effects of microbial pest control agents on mammals. In Microbial Ecology—Principles, Methods, and Applications, eds. M.A. Levin, R.J. Seidler M. Rogul, pp. 745-759, McGraw-Hill, New York. 

Miller, J.C. 1990. Field assessment of the affects of a microbial pest control agent on non-target Lepidoptera. Am. Entomol. 36 135-139. 

Part 158 in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations was finalized in 1984 (14). In the final rule, the term Biorational Pesticide was dropped and the term Biochemical and Microbial Pesticides was adopted to describe this class of pest control agents (Figure 4). The general characteristics of biochemical and microbial pesticides remained essentially unchanged. 

Pesticide Assessment Guidelines Subdivision M Microbial and Biochemical Pest Control Agents, Guidelines for Testing Biorational Pesticides October 1982, (EPA No. 540/09-82-028) USEPA Washington, DC 1982. 

Microbial and Viral Agents for the Control of Insect Pests. Microbial agents traditionally have been visualized as contributing to biological control of pests. Many of these microbial agents can now be defined chemically. Work is also progressing on fly control in animal production and antigens for nematodes and insects (19). 

The development of BT preparations for control of insect pests has accelerated greatly in the past 3-5 years, particularly since formulations have been developed to extend field life. Other microbial and viral agents are also being developed and show varying degrees of promise for field applications (18-21). 

Over the last few decades, safety has become one of the most important topics related to food. From this view, quality control of vegetable raw materials has at first to cover the following issues natural and anthropogenic contaminants (e.g. heavy metals, pollution from industrial and private combustions, not professionally deposited waste products, radionuclides), residues of fertilisers (e.g. nitrate), plant-conditioning and plant-protective agents, filth, pests, the microbial status and the occurrence of microbial toxins. It is not possible to discuss all these aspects in detail however, with a focus on herbs and spices, two of them should be stressed more thoroughly. For further information, see [8]. 

There are limited options for curative control allowed under organic agriculture guidelines, which vary from country to country. Curatives are inputs to the crop production system that are applied after a pest or pathogen has established in the crop, and threatens to reduce yields if action is not taken. Table 4.1 provides a representative list of botanically derived pesticides, microbial agents and other naturally available materials typically approved under organic standards. These materials vary in their toxicity levels and non-target effects. 

Davies KG, de Leij FAAM, Kerry BR. Microbial agents for the biological control of plant parasitic nematodes in tropical agriculture. Trop Pest Manag 37 303-320, 1991. 

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