Handbook of Biological Control and Horticultural Crops (3 Vol.Set)

While it is unlikely that biological control will completely replace chemical pesticides in the foreseeable future, we can expect that there will be some decline in the use of chemicals, particularly in developed countries. Thus far, most approaches have involved the single antagonist concept, although a biological systems approach, where disease is suppressed from several angles, might provide a better alternative. Similarly, the use of biological control agents could be used as one component of an integrated management program to achieve the best possible results. The future of biological control is promising, but this tactic will constitute just one of many pest management options. Many obstacles will need to be overcome before biological control can reach its full potential. Traditionally, educational and extension efforts have not provided growers with the necessary information to help identify natural enemies or determine their presence in fields. Therefore this book is an earnest effort to collect relevant information related to biomanagement of nematodes that should be accessible to bio-practitioners, agriculture scientists, botanists etc.