Page 534 - e-Book

Use Of Vermicompost As An Effective Biocontrol Agent

b
a
c
a
Rakesh Joshi* , Bhawana Sohal b, Rakesh Kumar Yadvinder Singh , Rahil Dutta and
Deachen Angmo b
a Department of Botany and Environmental Science, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World
University, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India
b Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University,

Amritsar, Punjab, India

c Department of Botany, Doaba College, Jalandhar, Punjab, India
* Email of corresponding Author: rakeshsharma198312@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Use of other living organisms to control pests is known as biocontrol. Biocontrol is an eco-

friendly and sustainable method for pest management that can help in enhancing crop yields
in countries like India where a large part of crop yields is lost due to the attacks by pests.

Vermicompost is a useful biocontrol agent due to the presence of microflora in it as some of

these microbes are antagonistic to various plant pathogens. Mycorhhizal fungi is propagated
in soil by the earthworms which checks the entry of pathogens in plants because of the

changes induced by it in the root exudates. Vermicompost and its aqueous extracts have been

found effective in suppressing various plant pathogens and pests like aphids, beetles, spider
mites, mealy bugs, hornworms, earworms, fusarium wilt, Meloidogyne incognita, white

caterpillars etc. due to the presence of soluble phenolic compounds, free enzymes and soluble
nutrients. There are only few studies available in literature regarding bio-control using

vermicompost. More studies in future are needed to explore the potential of vermicompost as
a biocontrol agent on different types of plant pests and pathogens.

Key words: Vermicompost, biocontrol agents, plant pests and pathogens

1. INTRODUCTION

The method in which other living organisms are employed to manage pests is called as

biocontrol. Attacks of pests lead to decrease in crop yield. In countries like India, this yield

loss is worth billions of rupees. Indian population is increasing every year and agricultural
land is also shrinking due to urbanization. So this yield loss is a matter of great concern.

Controlling pests by using chemical pesticides leads to harmful effects on environment. For
example, Malwa region of Punjab has become cancer belt due to the overuse of chemical

pesticides in this region as these pesticides are carcinogenic. Biocontrol is an eco-friendly and

sustainable method of pest control. Efforts are being taken on International level to promote

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