ABSTRACT
Plant diseases, caused primarily by fungal and bacterial pathogens, produce severe losses to agricultural and horticultural crops every year. These losses can result in reduced food supplies, poorer quality agricultural products, economic hardship for growers and processors, and, ultimately, higher prices. For many diseases, traditional chemical control methods are not always economical nor are they effective, and fumigation as well as other chemical control methods may have unwanted health, safety, and environmental risks. Biological control involves the use of, beneficial microorganisms to attack and control plant pathogens and the diseases they cause. It offers an environmentally friendly approach to the management of plant disease and can be integrated into an effective integrated disease management system. Thus, biological control can be an important component in the development of a more sustainable agriculture.
