Bioherbicide
Encyclopedia
A bioherbicide is a biologically based control agent for weed
s. Among the three major types of pesticide
s (agricultural pest-control agents) herbicide
s are used to control weeds, or undesirable plants. (The other major classes of pesticides are insecticide
s, which control insects; and fungicide
s, which control fungi. Normally, any pesticide can only be expected to control, but not eradicate, agricultural pests.)
Almost every agricultural pest has at least one naturally occurring enemy that will reduce its population. Bioherbicides are weed-control agents that utilize such naturally occurring enemies, rather than depending on man-made chemicals. This can be important because agents of biological control ordinarily have many fewer, and much milder, effects on the environment than do synthetic chemicals. What is more, they tend not to lead to the public health problems that chemicals are associated with. These two advantages of biological control agents, including bioherbicides, do not however mean that they need not also be subjected to careful tests for environmental and public health safety.
Bioherbicides may be compounds derived from microbes such as fungi, bacteria
or protozoa
; or phytotoxic plant residues, extracts or single compounds derived from other plant species.
A bioherbicide based on a fungus
is called a mycoherbicide
.
In the industry, bioherbicides and other biopesticide
s are often referred to as "naturals".
Weed
A weed in a general sense is a plant that is considered by the user of the term to be a nuisance, and normally applied to unwanted plants in human-controlled settings, especially farm fields and gardens, but also lawns, parks, woods, and other areas. More specifically, the term is often used to...
s. Among the three major types of pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticides are substances or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.A pesticide may be a chemical unicycle, biological agent , antimicrobial, disinfectant or device used against any pest...
s (agricultural pest-control agents) herbicide
Herbicide
Herbicides, also commonly known as weedkillers, are pesticides used to kill unwanted plants. Selective herbicides kill specific targets while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed. Some of these act by interfering with the growth of the weed and are often synthetic "imitations" of plant...
s are used to control weeds, or undesirable plants. (The other major classes of pesticides are insecticide
Insecticide
An insecticide is a pesticide used against insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against the eggs and larvae of insects respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and the household. The use of insecticides is believed to be one of the major factors behind...
s, which control insects; and fungicide
Fungicide
Fungicides are chemical compounds or biological organisms used to kill or inhibit fungi or fungal spores. Fungi can cause serious damage in agriculture, resulting in critical losses of yield, quality and profit. Fungicides are used both in agriculture and to fight fungal infections in animals...
s, which control fungi. Normally, any pesticide can only be expected to control, but not eradicate, agricultural pests.)
Almost every agricultural pest has at least one naturally occurring enemy that will reduce its population. Bioherbicides are weed-control agents that utilize such naturally occurring enemies, rather than depending on man-made chemicals. This can be important because agents of biological control ordinarily have many fewer, and much milder, effects on the environment than do synthetic chemicals. What is more, they tend not to lead to the public health problems that chemicals are associated with. These two advantages of biological control agents, including bioherbicides, do not however mean that they need not also be subjected to careful tests for environmental and public health safety.
Bioherbicides may be compounds derived from microbes such as fungi, bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
or protozoa
Protozoa
Protozoa are a diverse group of single-cells eukaryotic organisms, many of which are motile. Throughout history, protozoa have been defined as single-cell protists with animal-like behavior, e.g., movement...
; or phytotoxic plant residues, extracts or single compounds derived from other plant species.
A bioherbicide based on a fungus
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
is called a mycoherbicide
Mycoherbicide
-In the United States:In the United State House of Representatives, the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006 passed with the inclusion of language to initiate research into the use of mycoherbicides against drug crops in foreign countries. In particular, the U.S...
.
In the industry, bioherbicides and other biopesticide
Biopesticide
Biopesticides include "naturally occurring substances that control pests , microorganisms that control pests , and pesticidal substances produced by plants containing added genetic material or PIPs."Biopesticides are biochemical pesticides that are naturally occurring substances that control pests...
s are often referred to as "naturals".