• A literature review on Trichoderma :

    http://ijasvm.com/ijasvmadmin/upload/IJASVM_52026e5e93ab8.pdf

    Plants are protected from numerous classes of plant pathogen by responses that are similar to systemic acquired resistance and rhizobacteria-induced systemic resistance. Root colonization by Trichoderma spp. also frequently enhances root growth and development, crop productivity, resistance to abiotic stresses and the uptake and use of nutrients. As most of the crops are infected by the soil borne plant pathogens that primarily attack the vulnerable seeds or seedlings, the Trichoderma can be applied directly to target area, i.e., to seeds or seedlings and a single application using an existing delivery system (seed treatment, biopriming, furrow treatment) can significantly reduce crop losses. A number of successful products based on different species of Trichoderma have been commercialized in India and elsewhere. Whatever the limitations these Trichoderma products may have, it can be addressed by enhancing biocontrol through manipulation of the environment, accurate strain identification by molecular approach, using mixtures of beneficial organisms, physiological and genetic enhancement of biocontrol mechanisms, and manipulation of formulations. In some instances, other alternative methods that alone do not provide adequate protection may be integrated with application of biocontrol agents to provide additive or synergistic effects.

    #Biological control, #Disease management, #Agroecology

  • Bee death is closely linked to destructive agricultural practices. Newly-developed pesticides by Syngenta, Bayer and BASF are more and more powerful and they can cause acute and chronic poisoning with deadly consequences for individual bees and entire colonies (colony collapse disorder). In addition to pesticides, bees suffer from the effects of climate change, parasites and the increasingly monotonous landscapes created by industrial agriculture that lead to a loss of biodiversity, availability of food and undisturbed habitats. However, regardless of independent scientific evidence, beekeepers’ claims and civil society demands, the companies still promote these bee-killing pesticides and Syngenta, BASF and Bayer try to protect their profits. However, this can come at the cost of the bees, the environment and human food security and sovereignty. The only solution is to reduce and then eliminate such damaging pesticides by moving away from destructive industrial agriculture towards an ecological farming system.

    Groups try to defend apiculture and raise awareness about the importance of pollinators in agriculture and ecosystems:

    Bee Life has recently established an international alliance together with more than 45 beekeeping’ organisations, farmers associations, research institutes, citizen rights and environmental organisations called the “Alliance to Save the Bees and Agriculture”.

    #agroecology #agriculture

    http://corporateeurope.org/agribusiness/2013/11/shame-bee-killers