1.7 Department of Biological Control
The Department of Biological Control was duly established in the Iranian Research
Institute of Plant Protection in 1984. The department consists of seven specialized
laboratories for parasitoids, predators, beneficial microorganisms (insect pathogens
and phytopathogen antagonists), radiation roles, biological materials, useful insects,
molecular biology and biotechnology in the headquarters of the Institute and a
laboratory in Amol city (Mazandaran Province, North Iran) which has the mandate
to ensure the production of healthy food and achieving organic products.
In 1995, the approval of the National Plan for the Reduction of Chemical
Pesticides usage (Development Plan for application of Biological products and
Optimization of Fertilizer and Pesticide Use in Agriculture) led to a more wisely
use of chemical inputs. Consequently, it primarily resulted in a reduction of
chemicals pesticides usage, especially in rice fields.
During the last decades, hundreds of research projects have been carried by the
Biological Control Research Division which aimed to collect, identify and implement
biological control agents. The results of this division were the introduction of
Trichogramma sp., Bracon hebetor, Cryptolaemous montrouzieri, Chrysoperla carnea,
development of the mass-production methods, and transferring the technical knowledge
to the private sections. Moreover, there are some advances in the microbial biological
control agents based on the insect pathogenic bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, the
entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, the entomopathogenic viruses and the
phytopathogenic antagonist from Trichoderma genus.
The biological control division designed plans to be ready to manage obstacles
related to climate change, rainfall, and newly emerged pests and simultaneously
focusing on the production of healthy and sustainable crops. In line with these
priorities, a mid-term plan for the development of biological control in greenhouses
was presented. Providing technical knowledge for mass rearing of Encarsia formosa
and the predatory bug, Nesidiocoris tenuis as important biocontrol agents for
greenhouse pests are the achievements of this program. Moreover, a new biocontrol
agent, the predatory muscid fly, Coenosia attenuata was introduced for employing in
greenhouses. Upon completion of the plan, the division has issued guidelines for the
implementation of native natural enemies within IPM programs, botanical products,
and conservation of natural enemies for lowering the application rate of chemical
pesticides. The latest research topics are attempts toward the mass production of
entomopathogenic nematodes in biological control of pests.
1.8 Other Institutes
In addition to the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (IRIPP), there are
other research institutes associated with the ministry of agriculture providing departments for conducting researches on entomology and agricultural pests. Those centers
1 Overview: History of Agricultural Entomology and Biological Pest Control in Iran
9
The Department of Biological Control was duly established in the Iranian Research
Institute of Plant Protection in 1984. The department consists of seven specialized
laboratories for parasitoids, predators, beneficial microorganisms (insect pathogens
and phytopathogen antagonists), radiation roles, biological materials, useful insects,
molecular biology and biotechnology in the headquarters of the Institute and a
laboratory in Amol city (Mazandaran Province, North Iran) which has the mandate
to ensure the production of healthy food and achieving organic products.
In 1995, the approval of the National Plan for the Reduction of Chemical
Pesticides usage (Development Plan for application of Biological products and
Optimization of Fertilizer and Pesticide Use in Agriculture) led to a more wisely
use of chemical inputs. Consequently, it primarily resulted in a reduction of
chemicals pesticides usage, especially in rice fields.
During the last decades, hundreds of research projects have been carried by the
Biological Control Research Division which aimed to collect, identify and implement
biological control agents. The results of this division were the introduction of
Trichogramma sp., Bracon hebetor, Cryptolaemous montrouzieri, Chrysoperla carnea,
development of the mass-production methods, and transferring the technical knowledge
to the private sections. Moreover, there are some advances in the microbial biological
control agents based on the insect pathogenic bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, the
entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, the entomopathogenic viruses and the
phytopathogenic antagonist from Trichoderma genus.
The biological control division designed plans to be ready to manage obstacles
related to climate change, rainfall, and newly emerged pests and simultaneously
focusing on the production of healthy and sustainable crops. In line with these
priorities, a mid-term plan for the development of biological control in greenhouses
was presented. Providing technical knowledge for mass rearing of Encarsia formosa
and the predatory bug, Nesidiocoris tenuis as important biocontrol agents for
greenhouse pests are the achievements of this program. Moreover, a new biocontrol
agent, the predatory muscid fly, Coenosia attenuata was introduced for employing in
greenhouses. Upon completion of the plan, the division has issued guidelines for the
implementation of native natural enemies within IPM programs, botanical products,
and conservation of natural enemies for lowering the application rate of chemical
pesticides. The latest research topics are attempts toward the mass production of
entomopathogenic nematodes in biological control of pests.
1.8 Other Institutes
In addition to the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (IRIPP), there are
other research institutes associated with the ministry of agriculture providing departments for conducting researches on entomology and agricultural pests. Those centers
1 Overview: History of Agricultural Entomology and Biological Pest Control in Iran
9