Aspects of total quality control for the production of natural enemies

• Published in: Quality Control and Production of Biological Control Agents pp. 19 - 24
• Main Author: Leppla, N. C
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Wallingford, UK CABI Publishing 2003; CABI
• Subjects: biocontrol; biocontrol agents; biological control; biological control agents; biological control organisms; marketing; mass rearing; natural enemies; Pest control; prices; quality assurance; quality controls; reliability
• ISBN: 9780851996882; 0851996884
• DOI: 10.1079/9780851996882.0019

In this chapter the following questions are addressed: (i) what happens when yields of natural enemies decline and the cause is not evident? (ii) how are yields maintained while decreasing inputs and thereby improving efficiency? (iii) how are complaints resolved about the postproduction performance of natural enemies? and (iv) how are decisions made to correct apparent problems or improve the production system? A system of total quality control (TQC) is described, because it is an uncomplicated structure for organizing and addressing the major steps in producing, using and improving natural enemies. TQC can assist in carefully evaluating trade-offs in the system and judiciously investing resources, critical functions for commercial biological control. 'Of all concepts in the quality function, none is so farreaching or vital as "fitness for use"' (Juran , 1974). To be marketable, products and services must meet the expectations of users in terms of price, reliability and performance. In this sense, 'fitness for use' is the definition of quality for producers of natural enemies and their customers.