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ARS Home Northeast Area Docs Biocontrol 4 Kids







Biocontrol FAQs for Kids *Keeping Plants Healthy* What Can Be Done Change the environmentClean up dead and sick plants so the pathogens don't have anything to grow onPlant crops that do not easily get the disease (scientists call them resistant plants)Cover the soil for a while with plastic so that the sun heats the soil and the pathogens can't liveCartoon, green tractorTractors can turn the soil over so the pathogens cannot liveUse chemicals for controlChemicals that kill the pathogens can be mixed into the soil but...Sometimes they are dangerous to useThey kill the good microorganisms and well as the badSometimes they get into our food and water and that is not goodSometimes the pathogens get used to the chemicals and they don't work any moreCartoon, beaker with skull and crossbones - poison!Sometimes the only thing that works is chemicalsUse biocontrol agents (BCAs) for controlBiocontrol agents live in the soil anywayThey are safe to use, they are not poisons and do not harm our food and waterThe pathogens do not become "resistant"cartoon of laboratory dishes with biocontrol agents in themOr use more than one wayUse IPM (stands for Integrated Pest Management) and it means to use more than one way to control plant problems so that we do the smallest amount of harm to our planet and give the plant its best chance to grow and live Animated image of laboratory beakerRETURN TO TOPCartoon owl reading bookRETURN TO BIOCONTROL FAQS 4 KIDS


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