Abstract
The areas of maize production harbor a high number of insect species, some of which are considered pests that cause damage to the crop. The methods of pest control have been a cause of concern for the society since the use of chemicals and the environmental problems arising from this practice indicate the need to search for alternatives to control. In this sense, it is necessary to seek an agricultural production system that contemplates environmental sustainability and promotes biodiversity in the Agrosystem, among which the use of biological agents is highlighted. The objective of this research was to update through a bibliographic review the advances in the literature on biological control of maize crop pests. For the development of this article, we used the method of approach the analytical and as procedural method the monographic, through bibliographic research, using specialized doctrines, appropriate to the object of the study and legislations. Because of the observed aspects, it is possible to conclude that the group of natural enemies that act as biological control agents is formed by parasitoids, predators and entomopathogenic microorganisms. The rationalization of the use of chemicals should be associated with the use of biodefensives in integrated pest management. Advances in the legislation of biological products in Brazil are fundamental to give speed to the registration of new alternatives of biological control, aimed at the safety of the environment, human health and that are generated without the exploratory use of biodiversity.
Highlights
Pest control methods have been the cause of concern for society
Biological control is a natural phenomenon that consists of regulating the number of species by natural enemies, which constitute the agents of biotic mortality
It is important to emphasize that biological control cannot be seen only as an isolated activity within an Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM), should be analyzed from a global point of view to broaden its utilization spectrum
Summary
Pest control methods have been the cause of concern for society. The increase in the costs of chemical control, the loss of efficiency of some of these products and the environmental problems arising from these practices, indicate the necessity to research alternatives of control. The biological control is indispensable in the Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM), because it combines cultural and chemical practices for resistance management, with real gains in grain yield This tool is the way that rationalizes the control of pest insects of crops with natural processes and the rational use of agricultural pesticides for pest control (Simonato et al, 2014). The benefits of IPM results in greater stability in pest populations for subsequent crops capable of satisfying food production needs, without unduly causing damage to the basis of an ecosystem (Simonato, 2018) This technology guides the decision-making of pest control based on a set of information about insects and their jas.ccsenet.org.
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