Studies on Some Fungivorous Mites and Their Role in Biological Control

Over the last few years, the use of pesticides in Agriculture had decreased due to their health side effects. Biological control is a safe alternative to pesticides. It is a very important component of the integrated pest management strategy. The interactions between fungi and soil mites can be beneficial or harmful. Direct feeding of mites on fungal hyphae reduces the fungal biomass, but it may also stimulates re-growth by removal of dead or senescent mycelia. This book, therefore, should help shed some light on using the fungivorous mite Uroobovella krantzi (Mesostigmata) to control the soil borne fungal disease (Tomato wilt disease, caused by Fusarium oxysporum), and should be especially useful to professionals in the production of organic foods, or anyone else who may be considering utilizing Biological control in Agriculture.