Prelims 2012 · Environment · Question 11
Consider the following kinds of organisms:<br/>1. Bacteria<br/>2. Fungi<br/>3. Flowering plants<br/><br/>Some species of which of the above kinds of organisms are employed as biopesticides?
Answer
1, 2 and 3
1. Bacteria — Correct. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a well-known bacterial biopesticide used against insect pests.
2. Fungi — Correct. Fungi such as Trichoderma and Beauveria bassiana are used as biopesticides/biocontrol agents against plant pathogens and insects.
3. Flowering plants — Correct. Certain flowering plants like neem provide botanical biopesticides; azadirachtin from neem is widely used for pest control.
Hence, species from all three kinds of organisms are employed as biopesticides.