Weed microbial biocontrol agents: benefits and limitations.

The concept of using plant diseases to control weeds was first utilized in the 1960s, leading to both very good control of invasive weeds in natural environments, and the registration and appearance on the market of some microbial products against weeds in crops in the 1980s. Since then, many research efforts have been put into this area, with many promising developments, but probably with fewer products than might have been expected. In the future, there is likely to be further impetus given to this work for the following reasons: The consumer community addresses an increased interest of the possible presence of dangerous synthetic pesticide residues in foods that could represent a risk for human health; the increased consumption of food and nonfood products from organic farming; and the need for environmental protection.