Instant Insights: Biological Control of Pests and Diseases in Horticultural Crops

This book features four peer-reviewed reviews on the biological control of pests and diseases in horticultural crops.The first chapter provides a detailed overview of the use of biopesticides in horticulture and the key challenges that can arise as a result of their use. The book primarily focusses on the use (and development) of biopesticide approaches which use microbial entomopathogens.The second chapter considers recent advances in the application of bioprotectants for controlling plant diseases and addresses issues with enhancing the field efficacy of bioprotectants on horticultural crops. It also considers the approaches which can be implemented to increase the number of bioprotectants for plant disease control, including extending the spectrum of activity for existing products and finding new substances.The third chapter assesses the efficacy of biological control agents against a range of major grapevine diseases, including downy mildew, powdery mildew, grey mould and ochratoxigenic fungi. The chapter also considers how biocontrol efficacy can be improved through a greater understanding of the interactions between pathogen, plant and environmental conditions.The final chapter reviews the use of biocontrol agents for control of major fruit tree diseases, such as fireblight, postharvest fruit rots, brown rot, European canker and pear brown spot. A case study on the biocontrol strategies available for treating apple scab is also provided.