Integrated Pest management

Integrated pest management It is now recognised that effective pest control is most likely to be achieved by using; several different approaches: Using a combination of the following practices is known as integrated pest management. This might include the following methods.

. Crop rotation

Fields of most crops an attract crop pests in large numbers. If the same crop is grown on the same piece of ground year after year pests persist in crop debris, in the soil or in hedgerows from one year to the next, with the result that infestations increase in severity with yields and quality suffering. Crop rotation is a widely practiced. The form is usually annual planting in which cereals, legumes, oilseed rape and root crops follow one another in a regular sequence. It limits the population density of pests and disease causing organisms, especially those with annual life cycles associated with specific crops.

Pest-resistant varieties

Some varieties of crop plants are naturally resistant to certain pests and diseases. For many years selective breeding has been used to transfer the genes that confer this natural protection into high-yielding strains. More recently, genetic engineering (using recombinant DNA) has served a similar purpose. The transfer of a gene across the species barrier from the bacterium B. thuringienis into crop plants is an interesting example of conferred insect resistance. In the future, more pest-resistant varieties should result from the applications of biotechnology.

Biological Control

Pesticide application

The primary aim of integrated pest management is to restrict populations of pests and disease causing organisms to low densities. Providing this can be achieved by other means, pesticide application can be held in reserve. However, if a farmer receives advance warning of an impending increase in the density of a pest or disease causing organism, effective control can usually be achieved by applying a pesticide.