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Instant Insights: Biological control of pests and diseases in horticultural crops

Code: 9781835457016
Publication Date: 27/10/2026

Contributions by: Travis R. Glare, Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, New Zealand; Aimee C. McKinnon, La Trobe University, Australia; Philippe C. Nicot, Thomas Pressecq and Marc Bardin, INRAE, Pathologie Végétale, France; V. Altieri, P. Battilani, M. Camardo Leggieri, G. Fedele, T. Ji, V. Rossi and I. Salotti, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy; and Jürgen Köhl, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands

Description

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.

Key Features

  • Reviews recent advances in the use of bioprotectants and biopesticides in horticulture
  • Considers how biocontrol efficacy can be optimised to control major plant diseases
  • Discusses the role of biological control agents in integrated pest management programmes

Ordering Information

Note: This product will be available to order 90 days prior to publication.

If you have any questions about this product, contact us at info@bdspublishing.com for further information.

£37.99
Table of Contents

  • Chapter 1 – Advances in biopesticides for insect control in horticulture: Travis R. Glare, Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, New Zealand; and Aimee C. McKinnon, La Trobe University, Australia;
    • 1 Introduction
    • 2 What are biopesticides?
    • 3 Biopesticide use in horticulture
    • 4 Key challenges in the successful use of biopesticides in integrated pest management programmes
    • 5 Integrated pest management
    • 6 New approaches
    • 7 Conclusion and future trends
    • 8 Where to look for further information
    • 9 References

Chapter taken from: Collier, R. (ed.), Improving integrated pest management in horticulture, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2022, (ISBN 978 1 78676 753 0)

  • Chapter 2 – Advances in bioprotectants for plant disease control in horticulture: Philippe C. Nicot, Thomas Pressecq and Marc Bardin, INRAE, Pathologie Végétale, France;
    • 1 Introduction
    • 2 Availability of bioprotectants against diseases of horticultural crops
    • 3 Advances in increasing the number of bioprotectants for disease control
    • 4 Enhancing the field efficacy of bioprotectants on horticultural crops
    • 5 Fostering the adoption of biocontrol
    • 6 Conclusion
    • 7 Future trends in research
    • 8 Where to look for further information
    • 9 References

Chapter taken from: Collier, R. (ed.), Improving integrated pest management in horticulture, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2022, (ISBN 978 1 78676 753 0)

  • Chapter 3 – Effective biocontrol of grape diseases: assessing and improving efficacy: V. Altieri, P. Battilani, M. Camardo Leggieri, G. Fedele, T. Ji, V. Rossi and I. Salotti, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy;
    • 1 Introduction
    • 2 Current research on biocontrol of grape diseases: an overview
    • 3 Assessing the efficacy of biological control agents (BCAs) against grapevine diseases
    • 4 Biocontrol efficacy against downy mildew
    • 5 Biocontrol efficacy against powdery mildew
    • 6 Biocontrol efficacy against grey mould
    • 7 Biocontrol efficacy against trunk diseases
    • 8 Biocontrol efficacy against ochratoxigenic fungi and sour rot
    • 9 General lessons from the literature on efficacy
    • 10 Understanding and improving biological control efficacy through network meta-analysis: powdery mildew, trunk diseases, and my
    • 11 Improving biocontrol efficacy through understanding interactions between pathogen, plant and environmental conditions: Plasmopora viticola, Erysiphe necator, and Botrytis cinerea
    • 12 Conclusions
    • 13 Data availability statement
    • 14 Conflict of interest
    • 15 Author Contributions
    • 16 Acknowledgments
    • 17 References

Chapter taken from: Sharma, S. and Ansari, M. (eds.), Advances in bioprotection of plants against diseases, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2025 (ISBN 978 1 80146 728 5)

  • Chapter 4 – Use of biocontrol agents in fruit tree disease management: Jürgen Köhl, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands;
    • 1 Introduction
    • 2 Case study: strategies for biocontrol of apple scab – Venturia inaequalis
    • 3 Biocontrol of fruit tree diseases: current status
    • 4 Use of biocontrol in orchards
    • 5 Future trends
    • 6 Where to look for further information
    • 7 References

Chapter taken from: Xu, X. and Fountain, M. (eds.), Integrated management of diseases and insect pests of tree fruit, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2019, (ISBN 978 1 78676 256 6)

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