Commercial biocontrol—reality or fantasy?

Abstract

Over the past 10 years, we have made substantial progress in the commercialisation of biocontrol systems for soilborne plant diseases. Numerous products are now available for use in soil-less media under controlled environment conditions, or which target pathogens with restricted infection periods. However, we still fall short of achieving a situation where biocontrol forms an integral component of plant protection. Inconsistent disease control under field conditions and prohibitive registration costs are two main barriers which must be overcome before we can realise the full potential of biocontrol. Biocontrol products based upon the use of single clonal strains provide certain practical and economic benefits that facilitate commercial development, but they may be the underlying constraint to further commercial success. Using multiple strains of the same or different species could provide more reproducible control and a greater spectrum of activity, attributes that are likely to result in products with greater market potential. Current regulatory requirements make the registration of biocontrol products a time consuming, costly and often prohibitive exercise. Research should be targeted to provide regulatory bodies with sufficient relevant biological data on common biocontrol agents to facilitate a judicious relaxation of toxicology and environmental impact requirements. Then, perhaps, we can realise our ambition of successfully integrating biocontrol systems into mainstream agriculture.