R. Charudattan, Biological control of weeds by means of plant pathogens: Significance for integrated weed management in modern agro-ecology, BIOCONTROL, 46(2), 2001, pp. 229-260
Biological control of weeds by using plant pathogens has gained acceptance
as a practical, safe, environmentally beneficial, weed management method ap
plicable to agro-ecosystems. The interest in this weed control approach fro
m public and private groups, and support for research and developmental eff
ort, are on the upswing. This increasing interest is stimulated largely due
to major economic, social, and environmental forces that are directing our
choices in crop production practices. Some of these changes are market-dri
ven while others are social and ecological in nature. These changes are in
turn influencing the choices in weed control methods. In this regard, bioco
ntrol with plant pathogens has been proven a feasible, albeit minor, compon
ent of modern integrated weed-management systems. This environmentally bene
ficial method should be promoted and exploited further to meet the current
and future challenges in weed management in agro-ecosystems.