Biological control is a term used in agriculture and environmental science to refer to the management of pests, diseases, and weeds using natural enemies such as predators, parasites, and pathogens. It is an alternative to chemical control methods that can have negative impacts on the environment and human health. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, root words, and example sentences of biological control.
Definitions
Biological control is the use of living organisms to control pests, diseases, and weeds. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), biological control is “the use of natural enemies to manage pests and their damage.” The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) defines biological control as “the reduction of pest populations by natural enemies or other organisms, without the use of synthetic chemicals.”
Origin
The concept of biological control dates back to ancient times, when people used animals to control pests. For example, cats were used to control rodents in ancient Egypt, and ducks were used to control snails in ancient China. In the 19th century, the first successful biological control program was implemented in California, where Australian ladybugs were introduced to control cottony cushion scale on citrus trees.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, biological control is “the control of pests (as insects or diseases) by interfering with their ecological status (as by introducing natural enemies or using chemicals).” The Oxford English Dictionary defines biological control as “the use of natural enemies, such as predators, parasites, or pathogens, to control pests or diseases.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines biological control as “the use of living organisms to control pests in agriculture or gardening.”
Associations
Biological control is associated with integrated pest management (IPM), which is an approach that combines biological, cultural, and chemical control methods to manage pests in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Biological control is also associated with conservation biology, as it can help protect native species from invasive species that can harm ecosystems.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of biological control include biocontrol, natural control, ecological control, and biological pest management.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of biological control include chemical control, synthetic control, and pesticide use.
The same root words
The root words of biological control are “bio,” which means life, and “control,” which means to manage or regulate. Other words that share the same root words include biotechnology, biochemistry, biodegradable, and control group.
Example Sentences
- Farmers are using biological control methods to manage pests and reduce the use of pesticides.
- The introduction of natural enemies has been a successful biological control strategy for managing invasive species.
- Integrated pest management combines biological control with cultural and chemical control methods to manage pests sustainably.
- The use of synthetic pesticides has declined as more farmers adopt biological pest management practices.
- Conservation biologists are using biological control to protect native species from invasive species that threaten biodiversity.