Modern agriculture has been made possible by the selection of quality seeds, by the availability of large quantities of nutrients, and by means of protecting crops against damages caused by pests or competition by unwanted weeds. So far, and aside of seed selection, most of these progresses were made by using synthetic chemicals such as nitrogen-based fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. But the widespread use of these chemicals has led to concerns about their impact on human health and on the environment.
A growing world population is asking for more and better food and at the same time farmland area is shrinking due to urbanization and industrialization. Combined with safety and environmental concerns these trends pose a double challenge to agriculture: its productivity must increase and this shall be made in a more sustainable way.
Bio-control is an emerging methodology that uses products derived from natural sources rather than human-made artefacts. Its major advantage lies in the reduced risk that these products present: they leave no measurable residues in agricultural produces, are generally less toxic to humans and animals, and have a better environmental compatibility than classical chemical solutions. Bio-control has grown from few anecdotal product offers to a sizeable segment of the crop protection industry, a still growing $45 bn market, and it is expected to grow further in response to consumers’ expectations and to governmental support for technologies having a reduced risks profile.
Can bio-control products substitute entirely chemical solutions?
Are they the answer to ever more demanding registration requirements?
In this review anyone involved at any stage of the food chain, input manufacturers, growers, distributors, regulators, investors, and – last but not least – consumers will gain insight in what these products are, what key features make them more or less attractive for a better integrated crop management, and what challenges must be met by companies willing to develop and to bring them on the market.
A particular focus is given to living micro-organisms.
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Ths site is made with no commercial intent but with quite a lot of resources that can be appreciated in a concrete way.
