Semiochemicals and microbial antagonists: their role in integrated pest management in Latin America

Abstract

The general background to this workshop has to do with the need to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and other biocides in agricultura and forestry in Latin America. This need is related to environmental, food quality and human health, as wekk as to economic factors. The workshop addresses the potential of making use of semiochemicals and microbial antagonists in the integrated pest management (IPM). Although this potential is already well proven, the development and discovery of new and innovative ways of using such substances have increased dramatically with recent advances in genetics and biosciences.