Explain the biological control of pests and diseases.

(N/A) Biological control refers to the use of biological methods for controlling plant diseases and pests. In agriculture,this method relies on natural predation and parasitism rather than introduced synthetic chemicals.
- The organic farmer works to create a system where insects,often called pests,are not eradicated but kept at manageable levels through a complex system of checks and balances within a living,vibrant ecosystem.
- Unlike conventional farming practices that use chemical methods to kill both useful and harmful life forms indiscriminately,this is a holistic approach that seeks to understand the webs of interaction between the myriad organisms that constitute the field fauna and flora.
- The organic farmer holds the view that the complete eradication of creatures described as pests is not only impossible but also undesirable,as beneficial predatory and parasitic insects that depend on them for food or as hosts would not survive without them.
- The use of biocontrol measures significantly reduces our dependence on toxic chemicals and pesticides.
- An important part of the biological farming approach is to become familiar with the various life forms that inhabit the field,including predators and pests,as well as their life cycles,feeding patterns,and preferred habitats. This knowledge helps in developing appropriate means of biocontrol.