What does biological control refer to?

Biological control refers to a method of managing pest populations by utilizing natural predators, parasites, or pathogens. This approach emphasizes the balance of ecosystems and harnesses the natural enemies of pests to reduce their numbers in a sustainable way, minimizing the impact on non-target organisms and the environment.

In the context of integrated pest management, biological control can involve introducing or enhancing the populations of these natural enemies in agricultural settings to maintain pest levels below those that would cause economic harm. This not only helps in controlling pest populations but also supports biodiversity and can reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals.

The other options represent different pest management strategies: the first two focus on chemical methods, while the last option pertains specifically to breeding resistance in plant species, which is a distinct strategy that may complement biological control but does not define it.