the 1940s, this issue suppressed to run of a new and highly profitable industry for the
production and sale of chemical pesticides (Behdad 2002).
The BC in the country has remained on the margin until the 1960s for various
reasons. Following implementing plans for reducing the use of pesticides in Europe,
scenarios for chemical pesticides reduction initiated in Iran using appropriate techniques including BC and other non-chemical approaches over two decades. This
plan aimed at mass rearing and augmentative release of BCAs. However, field
studies proved that improper planning and poor management of the crops are the
main causes of the failure of the plan. During the implementation of the plan, there
was an issue with some farmers not participating, but this was never addressed.
Farmers were expected to pay some of the BC costs. This didn’t happen when it was
decided that some costs of producing or introducing BCAs should be paid by them.
Literature shows that the use and release of certain agents, mainly Trichogramma
have been very similar to chemical pesticides’ patterns regarding decision levels
including the Economic Injury Level (EIL) without consistency with the ecological
nature of BC (Heidari et al. 2011). While reports indicate a reduction in pesticide use
in the country, a realistic view implies that this reduction in pesticide use was not due
to simplistic BC practices. After three decades of using BCAs, there is still no
reliable level of croplands that have reached ecological balance and sustainability.
Furthermore, the continuous use of chemical pesticides in crops, especially in the
Caspian region, had the significant pesticides reduction plan that was hindered and
resulted in the emergence of fake chemical pesticides and trafficking of various
un-authorized pesticides with improper application techniques. Despite four decades
of efforts to use BC in the country, there are still many problems faced with planning.
History shows that many socioeconomic issues have prevented the technology from
being implemented. The remaining risks of pesticides at high levels in a variety of
crops still threaten consumers’ health. This requires cooperation and planning to
change the current situation.
In the following part, we will analyze the current state of production and use of
macro BCA as well as microbial control agent (MCA). Then we will discuss
government support, mass rearing of BCA for greenhouses and open fields, the
role of academic elites on the advancement of BC plans, and the ability of farmers for
BC. In the end, some strategies are mentioned to improve the process of using BCA
in the country.
17.2 The Current Situation of BC in the Country
Both natural and applied BC strategies including introduction, augmentation and
conservation have been involved within pest management plans in the country.
Natural BC has a significant role in regulating arthropods density in various regions
of the country. There are reports about the infection of overwintering populations of
the Sunn pest with hypocrealean fungi during winter in various provinces through
the years. Another case is the natural regulation of the gypsy moth (Lymantria
602
J. Karimi et al.
production and sale of chemical pesticides (Behdad 2002).
The BC in the country has remained on the margin until the 1960s for various
reasons. Following implementing plans for reducing the use of pesticides in Europe,
scenarios for chemical pesticides reduction initiated in Iran using appropriate techniques including BC and other non-chemical approaches over two decades. This
plan aimed at mass rearing and augmentative release of BCAs. However, field
studies proved that improper planning and poor management of the crops are the
main causes of the failure of the plan. During the implementation of the plan, there
was an issue with some farmers not participating, but this was never addressed.
Farmers were expected to pay some of the BC costs. This didn’t happen when it was
decided that some costs of producing or introducing BCAs should be paid by them.
Literature shows that the use and release of certain agents, mainly Trichogramma
have been very similar to chemical pesticides’ patterns regarding decision levels
including the Economic Injury Level (EIL) without consistency with the ecological
nature of BC (Heidari et al. 2011). While reports indicate a reduction in pesticide use
in the country, a realistic view implies that this reduction in pesticide use was not due
to simplistic BC practices. After three decades of using BCAs, there is still no
reliable level of croplands that have reached ecological balance and sustainability.
Furthermore, the continuous use of chemical pesticides in crops, especially in the
Caspian region, had the significant pesticides reduction plan that was hindered and
resulted in the emergence of fake chemical pesticides and trafficking of various
un-authorized pesticides with improper application techniques. Despite four decades
of efforts to use BC in the country, there are still many problems faced with planning.
History shows that many socioeconomic issues have prevented the technology from
being implemented. The remaining risks of pesticides at high levels in a variety of
crops still threaten consumers’ health. This requires cooperation and planning to
change the current situation.
In the following part, we will analyze the current state of production and use of
macro BCA as well as microbial control agent (MCA). Then we will discuss
government support, mass rearing of BCA for greenhouses and open fields, the
role of academic elites on the advancement of BC plans, and the ability of farmers for
BC. In the end, some strategies are mentioned to improve the process of using BCA
in the country.
17.2 The Current Situation of BC in the Country
Both natural and applied BC strategies including introduction, augmentation and
conservation have been involved within pest management plans in the country.
Natural BC has a significant role in regulating arthropods density in various regions
of the country. There are reports about the infection of overwintering populations of
the Sunn pest with hypocrealean fungi during winter in various provinces through
the years. Another case is the natural regulation of the gypsy moth (Lymantria
602
J. Karimi et al.