Given below are two statements:

Statement I: Ladybird and Dragonflies are useful to get rid of aphids and mosquitoes. Trichoderma fungus are effective bio control agents of several plant pathogens

Statement II: The biological control of plant diseases and pest can control increasing use of insecticides and pesticides, thus saving our environment from being getting polluted.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• Biocontrol refers to the use of biological methods for controlling plant diseases and pests.
• Biocontrol agents are the organisms that are used for this purpose.
• It is one of the novel methods that is followed in organic farming.

Important Points

Statement I - CORRECT

• Some common biocontrol agents include:
  • Ladybird - against aphids
  • Dragonflies - against mosquitoes
  • Trichoderma - is a free-living fungal species that is commonly found in root ecosystems and are effective against several plant pathogens.

Statement II - CORRECT

• Biological control of plant diseases and pests depends on natural predation and not chemicals.
• It creates a system where pests are not eradicated but maintained balanced in the ecosystem.
• It is believed that greater biodiversity brings greater sustainability.

Therefore, both statements I and II are correct.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1.