Realising the potential: Ecological benefits of microbial biocontrol

Abstract: The use and importance of microbial biocontrol products in pest management is growing. However, there is still a tendency to assess the benefits of these biocontrol agents using traditional pesticide measures, where effectiveness is largely gauged through pest mortality. Here, we explore the evidence of wider ecological and societal benefits that may be derived from using these microorganisms, and intrinsic characteristics that make them ideal components of integrated crop management strategies.