This volume focuses on the developmental areas of biopesticides: production, formulation, application and field efficacy. Chapters guide readers through methods and techniques on environmental, mammalian, safety, and registration. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Microbial-Based Biopesticides aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

"The work not only presents the state of the art for several aspects of IPM but goes further in analysing the actual issues of efficiency and obstacles for wider application by growers...In conclusion this book is a must-have for horticultural students and scientists. It will certainly help to raise IPM application in horticulture to a higher level."(Peter Bleyaert, Chronica Horticulturae) "The book contains some excellent detailed overviews of recent advances in IPM technology...I congratulate the editor and authors for assembling such a wide range of up-to-date IPM resources into this valuable initiative for scientists, students, agronomists and growers with an interest in horticulture." (Dr Almudena Ortiz-Urquiza, Plant Pathology) "Improving integrated pest management in horticulture presents a comprehensive review of recent advances in knowledge and research in IPM in horticultural production...The book is easy and enjoyable to read and understand and the chapters and topics are logically arranged and presented. It will be a standard reference for graduate students preparing for careers in horticulture, IPM researchers in horticulture, crop pest management professionals, government agencies tasked with monitoring and regulating pesticide use in agriculture and manufacturers and suppliers of agricultural pesticides."(Professor Stephen N. Wegulo, Crop Protection) "This book is an extremely important source of information on the present situation and hopefully will encourage more research to refine IPM in horticultural crops."(Professor Graham Matthews, Outlooks on Pest Management) Pests and diseases remain a significant threat to crop yields worldwide. With concerns about the environmental impact of synthetic pesticides, there remains a need to develop more environmentally-friendly biological methods of control that can be combined synergistically within integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Improving integrated pest management in horticulture provides a comprehensive review of the recent developments in integrated pest management for horticultural crops. The collection builds on the wealth of research on insect and disease control in horticulture using IPM strategies in areas such as biological control and decision support systems to target techniques more effectively. The book also includes valuable case studies based on practical experience of IPM.

"This book provides a decent overview of recent advances in biopesticides and other biological options for insect management with an easy-to-follow format and content...a good resource for students, educators, researchers, regulators, agricultural partners and IPM implementors interested in sustainable agriculture." (Society for Invertebrate Pathology Newsletter) With increasing concern about the environmental impact of synthetic pesticide use, including their impact on beneficial insects, the problem of insect resistance and the lack of new products, there has been an increasing interest in developing alternative biopesticides to control insects and other pests. This collection reviews the wealth of research on identifying, developing, assessing and improving the growing range of biopesticides. Part 1 of this collection reviews research on developing new biopesticides in such areas as screening new compounds, ways of assessing effectiveness in the field and improving regulatory approval processes. Part 2 summarises advances in different types of entomopathogenic biopesticide including entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes and the use of Bt genes in insect-resistant crops. Part 3 assesses the use of semiochemicals such as pheromones and allelochemicals, peptide-based and other natural substance-based biopesticides.