This work, complemented by input from subsequent meetings of the International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC), forms the basis of a new book published by IOBC and entitled 'Classical and Augmentative Biological Control against Diseases and Pests: Critical Status Analysis and Review of Factors Influencing Success.' The 194-page e-book was edited by INRA researcher and ENDURE participant Philippe Nicot, and can be downloaded from the IOBC website.

The group's initial work involved a thorough review of scientific literature published on all types of biological control. Although it had to be focused on selected key European crops and their major pests and pathogens, this review is unique in the scope of the topics it covered and in the comprehensive inventories it gathered on the potential of biocontrol and factors of success at field level.

In parallel with identifying knowledge gaps and key factors from published research, information was gathered on aspects linked to the production and commercialisation of biocontrol agents.

These results, complemented by the views of experts in the field of biocontrol consulted during meetings of IOBC-WPRS (West Palaearctic Regional Society), allowed the authors to identify majors gaps in knowledge and bottlenecks for the successful deployment of biocontrol. Noting the striking discrepancy between the rich inventory of potential biocontrol agents described by scientists and the very small number of commercial products on the market, the authors propose key issues for future work by the research community, in the development field and prospects for technological improvement by industry.

These include, for example, the need to devise better strategies for the screening of biocontrol agents. The authors say that current methods need to be improved both in terms of logistics (high throughput to allow rapid mass screening of large numbers of candidates) and in terms of the pertinence of criteria for efficacy, production and commercialisation.

They also stress the need to improve knowledge on efficacy. This is particularly important, they say, because the criteria traditionally used to assess the efficacy of biological control methods may be misleading; unlike conventional pesticides, biocontrol does not seek to eradicate pests and diseases but to install a biological balance which will enable the plants to grow more healthily.

To download the book, visit the book section of the IOBC website.

For more information on ENDURE's biocontrol work:

• Speeding development of biological controls 
• In depth: Biological controls
• Biocontrol work features in New Ag 

Relevant ENDURE publications (Biocontrol in Selected Crops):

Cover	Title and contents	Download (pdf)
	Number 1: Grapevine Grapevine in European agriculture Main production threats in grapevine production Bottlenecks SWOT analysis Recommendations for biocontrol  in grapevine	Biocontrol Number One_Grapevine [pdf - 169.32 kB]
	Number 2: Tomato Tomato in European agriculture Diseases more frequently found in open field production Diseases more frequently found in greenhouse production Insect and mite pests frequently found in open field and greenhouse production Main available biocontrol solutions Nematodes Weeds SWOT analysis Recommendations for biocontrol in tomato	Biocontrol Number Two_Tomato [pdf - 254.99 kB]
	Number 3: Maize Maize in European agriculture Diseases more frequent during production Available biocontrol solutions Insect pests frequently damaging maize in Europe Biocontrol solutions for insect pests of maize in Europe SWOT analysis Recommendations for biocontrol in maize	Biocontrol Number Three_Maize [pdf - 309.00 kB]