Consider the following kinds of organisms:BacteriaFungiFlowering plantsSome species of which of the

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UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2012 UPSC Prelims Science & Technology paper.

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Question

Consider the following kinds of organisms:BacteriaFungiFlowering plantsSome species of which of the above kinds of organisms are employed as biopesticides?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: D — 1, 2 and 3Solution:Biopesticides are naturally occurring substances or microorganisms that control pests. All three categories of organisms are used as biopesticides:Bacteria as biopesticides: The most well-known bacterial biopesticide is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) — a naturally occurring soil bacterium whose protein crystals are toxic to specific insect larvae (caterpillars, mosquito larvae, beetles). Bt biopesticides are widely used globally and are the basis for genetically modified Bt crops. ✓Fungi as biopesticides: Several fungal species are used as biopesticides — called mycoinsecticides or mycopesticides. Examples: Beauveria bassiana (infects and kills insects), Metarhizium anisopliae (controls locusts, grasshoppers), Trichoderma species (biocontrol against plant fungal diseases). ✓Flowering plants as biopesticides: Several plant-derived substances have biopesticidal properties. The most notable is Azadirachta indica (Neem) — neem oil and neem-based formulations are widely used as botanical biopesticides. Pyrethrum (from chrysanthemum flowers), rotenone (from derris plant), and sabadilla (from lily family) are other plant-derived biopesticides. ✓Why other options are incorrect:Options A, B, C: All three organism types provide biopesticides — excluding any one is incorrect.Key Concept: Biopesticides fall into three categories: (1) Microbial pesticides — using bacteria, fungi, viruses, or protozoa as active agents; (2) Plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs) — pesticidal substances produced by plants from genetic material added to the plant (e.g., Bt corn); (3) Biochemical pesticides — naturally occurring substances that control pests by non-toxic mechanisms (pheromones, insect growth regulators, plant extracts). The Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC) regulates biopesticide registration in India. India's push toward natural farming and organic agriculture has significantly increased demand for biopesticides. Key Indian biopesticide products: BNPV (baculovirus), HaNPV, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Trichoderma viride formulations.

Consider the following kinds of organisms:BacteriaFungiFlowering plantsSome species of which of the above kinds of organisms are employed as biopesticides?

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Consider the following kinds of organisms:BacteriaFungiFlowering plantsSome species of which of the above kinds of organisms are employed as biopesticides?

Master UPSC Prelims with Our Test Series

More Questions from Biotechnology and its Applications

Frequently Asked Questions