Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Baculoviruses of the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus are excellent candidates for species-specific applications in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. Reason (R): They are broad-spectrum insecticides that effectively eliminate all insect species in an ecologically sensitive area. In the light o

Step-by-step solution

Assertion (A) is true. Baculoviruses, particularly of the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus, are excellent candidates for species-specific, narrow-spectrum insecticidal applications, making them highly desirable for integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. Reason (R) is false. They are narrow-spectrum, not broad-spectrum. They have no negative impacts on plants, mammals, birds, fish, or non-target insects. This conservation of beneficial insects is exactly why they are useful in ecologically sensitive areas. Answer: A