Plants, growing in the wild or in cultivation, face numerous threats from insects, bacteria, viruses, and Fungi, as well as from other plants. Biopesticides are inert substances or living organisms that can help protect plants from such threats. Chemical pesticides can offer similar protection but, by contrast, are neither alive nor made by living organisms.
A variety of chemicals produced by plants help ensure that parasites, predators, plant feeders, and herbivores seldom increase in number sufficiently to destroy the plant populations they prey upon. Chemicals found in very low concentrations in certain plants have been found to help keep locusts from feeding on those plants, and some trees produce nearly 1,000 different chemical compounds that help them resist herbivores and parasites.
Plant predators are themselves subject to attack by predators, parasites, and microbes, all of which can indirectly help protect a plant and therefore are also considered biopesticides. An oak tree may have about 100 species of insect herbivores feeding on it. In turn, there can be up to 1,000 species of predators, parasites, and microbes feeding on the herbivores. The microbes, parasites, and predators attacking the herbivore populations are considered “biopesticides,” as are any protective chemicals produced by the tree
Such living biopesticides play a vital role in agriculture and nature, helping to control insect pests, plant pathogens, and Weeds. Numerous organisms, including viruses, fungi, protozoa, bacteria, and nematodes , as well as insects, such as parasitic wasps, can attack pest insects and weeds. In some cases, biologists search around the world to find natural organisms to help control an insect, a plant pathogen , or weed populations.
More than 95 percent of all crops have some degree of pathogen resistance bred into them, with resistance to fungi, bacteria, and viruses being most common. Most of this resistance was either added by farmer selection or plant breeder selection, rather than through Genetic engineering. It is because of this natural resistance that has been bred into the crops that only 12 percent of the pesticides used in U.S. agriculture are fungicides.
Some viral resistance, however, has been bred into a number of crops through insertion of viral genes into the plant Chromosomes. These genes may lead to the plant’s producing viral proteins—biopesticides of a sort—that hamper a virus’s own actions. This pathogen-derived resistance has been successfully used to protect Hawaii’s papaya crop from the devastating papaya ringspot potyvirus. The viral gene was inserted into the papaya genome using a “gene gun,” which shoots viral genes into papaya embryo cells.
Some crops (e.g. corn) are being engineered to contain both herbicide Tolerance and the BT toxin. Generally, the use of herbicide-tolerant crops will likely increase the use of herbicides. This has the potential to increase environmental pollution since it might increase the farmers’ reliance on chemicals rather than mechanical and other means of weed control.,
Biopesticides are pesticides derived from natural materials such as plants, animals, or Minerals. They are used to control pests, such as insects, mites, nematodes, and fungi. Biopesticides are considered to be more environmentally friendly than synthetic pesticides because they are less toxic to humans and other non-target organisms.
There are many different types of biopesticides, including:
- Bacteria: Some bacteria can be used to control insects, such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Bt produces a toxin that kills certain insects when they ingest it.
- Fungi: Some fungi can be used to control insects, such as Beauveria bassiana. B. bassiana produces a toxin that kills insects when they come into contact with it.
- Viruses: Some viruses can be used to control insects, such as the nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV). NPV infects and kills caterpillars.
- Nematodes: Some nematodes can be used to control insects, such as Steinernema carpocapsae. S. carpocapsae attacks and kills larvae of the cabbage white butterfly.
- Plant-derived pesticides: Some plants produce chemicals that can be used to control pests. For example, pyrethrum, a natural insecticide, is derived from the chrysanthemum plant.
- Semiochemicals: Semiochemicals are chemicals that are used by insects to communicate with each other. Some semiochemicals can be used to attract or repel pests. For example, the pheromones of the gypsy moth can be used to attract male moths to traps.
Biopesticides have several advantages over synthetic pesticides. They are often more specific to their target pests, which means they are less likely to harm non-target organisms. They are also biodegradable, which means they break down quickly in the Environment. Biopesticides can also be used in integrated pest management (IPM) programs, which are designed to reduce the use of pesticides overall.
However, biopesticides also have some disadvantages. They can be more expensive than synthetic pesticides, and they may not be as effective in controlling pests. They may also require more frequent applications than synthetic pesticides.
Overall, biopesticides are a valuable tool for pest control. They are more environmentally friendly than synthetic pesticides, and they can be used in IPM programs. However, they can be more expensive and may not be as effective as synthetic pesticides.
Biofuels are fuels that are derived from biological materials, such as plants, animals, or algae. Biofuels can be used to replace or supplement fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel fuel.
There are many different types of biofuels, including:
- Biodiesel: Biodiesel is a fuel that is made from vegetable oils or animal fats. It can be used in diesel engines without any modifications.
- Bioethanol: Bioethanol is a fuel that is made from fermented sugars. It can be used in gasoline engines, either blended with gasoline or as a pure fuel.
- Biogas: Biogas is a gas that is produced by the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter. It can be used to generate electricity or heat, or it can be compressed and used as a vehicle fuel.
- Biohydrogen: Biohydrogen is a gas that is produced by the Fermentation-2/”>Fermentation of organic matter. It can be used to generate electricity or heat, or it can be used as a vehicle fuel.
- Biochar: Biochar is a solid fuel that is produced by the pyrolysis of Biomass/”>Biomass. It can be used as a fuel for cooking or heating, or it can be used as a Soil amendment.
- Bio-oil: Bio-oil is a liquid fuel that is produced by the pyrolysis of biomass. It can be used as a fuel for vehicles or as a heating oil.
Biofuels have several advantages over fossil fuels. They are renewable, meaning they can be replenished over time. They also produce fewer emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants than fossil fuels.
However, biofuels also have some disadvantages. They can be more expensive than fossil fuels, and they may not be as efficient. They may also require more land to produce, which could lead to deforestation.
Overall, biofuels are a promising alternative to fossil fuels. They are renewable, produce fewer emissions, and can be used in a variety of applications. However, they are also more expensive and may not be as efficient as fossil fuels.
What is bio-pesticide?
A biopesticide is a pesticide derived from natural materials such as plants, animals, or minerals. It is used to control pests, such as insects, mites, fungi, and rodents. Biopesticides are considered to be more environmentally friendly than synthetic pesticides because they are less toxic to humans and other non-target organisms.
What are the benefits of using bio-pesticides?
There are several benefits of using bio-pesticides:
- They are less toxic to humans and other non-target organisms than synthetic pesticides.
- They can be used to control a wide range of pests.
- They are often more effective than synthetic pesticides.
- They are biodegradable and do not leave harmful residues in the environment.
- They can be used in Organic Farming.
What are the drawbacks of using bio-pesticides?
There are a few drawbacks to using bio-pesticides:
- They can be more expensive than synthetic pesticides.
- They may not be as effective as synthetic pesticides in controlling some pests.
- They may not be available for all types of pests.
- They may require more frequent applications than synthetic pesticides.
- They may not be effective in all climates.
What are the different types of bio-pesticides?
There are several different types of bio-pesticides, including:
- Bacterial pesticides: These pesticides contain bacteria that kill pests.
- Viral pesticides: These pesticides contain viruses that kill pests.
- Fungal pesticides: These pesticides contain fungi that kill pests.
- Plant-based pesticides: These pesticides contain extracts from plants that kill pests.
- Insecticidal proteins: These pesticides contain proteins that kill pests.
- Avermectins: These pesticides are derived from soil bacteria and kill a wide range of pests.
How are bio-pesticides used?
Bio-pesticides can be used in a variety of ways, including:
- Foliar sprays: These sprays are applied to the leaves of plants to kill pests.
- Soil drenches: These drenches are applied to the soil to kill pests that live in the soil.
- Seed treatments: These treatments are applied to seeds before planting to protect the seeds from pests.
- Granular baits: These baits are placed in areas where pests are found to attract and kill them.
What are the regulations for using bio-pesticides?
Bio-pesticides are regulated by the EPA in the United States. To be registered with the EPA, a biopesticide must meet certain safety and efficacy standards.
What is the future of bio-pesticides?
The use of bio-pesticides is expected to grow in the future. This is due to the increasing demand for environmentally friendly pesticides, as well as the development of new and more effective biopesticides.
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Which of the following is not a type of RENEWABLE ENERGY?
(A) Biomass
(B) Solar
(C) Wind
(D) Nuclear -
Which of the following is not a benefit of renewable energy?
(A) It does not produce greenhouse gases.
(B) It is a domestic resource.
(C) It is a reliable Source Of Energy.
(D) It is a non-polluting source of energy. -
Which of the following is the most common type of renewable energy in the United States?
(A) Biomass
(B) Solar
(C) Wind
(D) Hydroelectric -
Which of the following is the least common type of renewable energy in the United States?
(A) Biomass
(B) Solar
(C) Wind
(D) Hydroelectric -
Which of the following is the most efficient type of renewable energy?
(A) Biomass
(B) Solar
(C) Wind
(D) Hydroelectric -
Which of the following is the least efficient type of renewable energy?
(A) Biomass
(B) Solar
(C) Wind
(D) Hydroelectric -
Which of the following is the most expensive type of renewable energy?
(A) Biomass
(B) Solar
(C) Wind
(D) Hydroelectric -
Which of the following is the least expensive type of renewable energy?
(A) Biomass
(B) Solar
(C) Wind
(D) Hydroelectric -
Which of the following is the most polluting type of renewable energy?
(A) Biomass
(B) Solar
(C) Wind
(D) Hydroelectric -
Which of the following is the least polluting type of renewable energy?
(A) Biomass
(B) Solar
(C) Wind
(D) Hydroelectric