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Agriculture vocabulary · Pests, Diseases and Weeds

Biological control

Meaning in agriculture, with examples

nounCommon term

In agriculture, biological control means: The control of pests, weeds or diseases by using their natural enemies, such as predatory insects, parasitic wasps or beneficial microorganisms.

In Turkish: biyolojik mücadele, biyolojik kontrol

How it is used

Also called biocontrol. Greenhouse growers release beneficial insects, such as predatory mites against spider mites, and protect natural enemies by choosing selective pesticides. It is a key part of IPM and organic farming.

Example sentences

  1. We switched to biological control for whitefly and reduced our insecticide sprays to almost zero.

  2. Broad-spectrum insecticides can ruin a biological control program in a few hours.

Common collocations

  • biological control agent
  • release natural enemies
  • beneficial insects
  • predatory mites
  • biocontrol program
  • integrated pest managementAn approach to crop protection that combines monitoring, prevention, biological and cultural methods, and uses pesticides only when pest levels justify it.
  • pestAn insect, mite, rodent or other animal that damages crops, stored products or livestock; in a wider sense, any organism that harms crops.
  • insecticideA product used to kill or control insects that damage crops, stored grain or animals.
  • organic farmingA certified way of farming that avoids synthetic pesticides and mineral fertilizers and relies on rotations, compost, manure and natural pest control.
  • greenhouseA building with a glass or plastic cover in which plants are grown under controlled temperature, humidity and light, often out of season.

More terms: Pests, Diseases and Weeds

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