Biocontrol in crops and stored products
Biological control of plant pests (including arthropod pests, plant-parasitic nematodes and gastropods), plant diseases and weeds in:
- - field crops (including cereals, grain legumes, root crops, fibre crops, oil crops)
- fodder crops & pastures
- forest trees
- - horticultural crops (including vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants, stimulant plants)
- stored products
Biocontrol of pests of medical and veterinary importance
Biological control of arthropods of public health importance, haematophagous arthropods, arthropod vectors of human and animal diseases and arthropod intermediate hosts of vertebrate parasites.
Biology of biocontrol organisms
The biology and mode of action of biological control organisms (predatory arthropods, parasitoids, entomogenous fungi, entomopathogenic bacteria, entomophilic nematodes, insect viruses and antagonists), including:
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- - behaviour
- - ecology (including pest and natural enemy dynamics, simulation and modelling, host interactions)
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- - genetics (including genetic improvement and manipulation of biocontrol agents)
- life history, reproduction and development
- - morphology and anatomy
- - physiology and biochemistry
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- Geographical distribution and faunas
New geographic records of biocontrol agents and potential biocontrol agents, general studies of natural enemy distribution, checklists including natural enemies in specified regions.
Integrated Pest Management
The implementation and role of biocontrol methods in integrated pest management, pesticide effects (including non-target effects of pesticides on biocontrol organisms, pesticide resistance).
Rearing, culture and other techniques
Production and utilization of biocontrol agents (mass-rearing, host-range screening, formulation, distribution, application and release methods, monitoring and evaluation).
Safety and legislation
Biocontrol policy and legislation, registration and commercial development, quality control, quarantine, safety testing, environmental impact analysis.