Biocontrol agents can work several ways
When the biocontrol agent grows faster, or uses its food source better, it crowds the pathogen out and takes over. The pathogens don't stand a chance!
|
Reproducing faster crowds out the pathogens!
|
|
When a biocontrol agent makes some product that slows down or kills the pathogen that gets close to it, it is called antibiosis
|
The BCA on the right battles the pathogen on the left
|
|
When a biocontrol agent causes a plant to make a product that discourages or kills the pathogen, it is called induced resistance. The plant actually fights back.
|
A plant with "induced resistance" fights back
|
|
When a biocontrol agent feeds directly on or in a pathogen, it is called parasitism. In this way the pathogen is destroyed.
|
The BCA is coiling around the pathogen
|
|
Some biocontrol agents use only one of these actions and others can use several. The most successful biocontrol agents use several of these methods.
|
|
Email this page
