World practice of biocontrol application

Abstract

Goal. Based on the results of the generalization of the world practice of applying the biological method of plant protection (biocontrol), determine the trends, influencing factors, and expected features of its deve­lopment in the future. Methods. The methods of ana­lysis and synthesis, generalization, peer-to-peer ana­lysis, economic-statistical, graphic methods, me­thods of applying tempo indicators and indices of tempo development, and elasticity coefficients were used to conduct the research. Results. The analysis and gene­-ralization of the data of analytical reviews and calculations of forecasts of the development of biocontrol and biopesticide markets indicated the accelerated development of biomethods of plant protection — with growth rates significantly higher than the growth in the use of chemical pesticides. It was established that the development of biocontrol was influenced by: state policy in the agricultural sector, aimed at the general greening of agriculture, primarily the development of organic agriculture; protection of the environment and biodiversity; reducing the use of chemical pesticides; the legal field of functioning of biocontrol. The analysis of indicators for 2014–2020, using the example of European countries, showed a constant growth of both the area under organic farming and the volume of sales of biopesticides. However, the sale of biopesticides grew at a significantly higher rate during the study period: on average 32% annually, while the area under organic farming grew by an average 7%. The coefficient of elasticity (the ratio of the growth rates of the volume of sales of non-che­mical active substances (biopesticides) to the growth rates of areas under organic agriculture) consistently exceeded 1, which indicated a stable positive stimulating effect of the development of organic agriculture on the sale of biological plant protection products. Conclusions. In modern world practice, the rate of growth of the use of biocontrol is higher compared to the rate of growth of the use of chemical means of protection. The greatest stimulating influence on the development of biocontrol has the transition to ensuring sustainable agriculture in compliance with the requirements of ecological safety and environmental protection standards, harmonization of economic and ecological goals of agricultural production; accelera-ted development of ecological agriculture, primarily organic; implementation of economically efficient and ecologically safe technologies in agricultural production; reduction of the use of chemical pesticides. For a quick practical transition to integrated and biological methods of plant protection, Ukraine should borrow the experience of foreign countries regarding the processes of registration and circulation of biopesticides, the creation of new biological preparations for plant protection, the development of a state policy for the promotion, stimulation and support of the use of biocontrol.