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What is IPM?
IPM involves the use of biological and cultural controls, and the regular assessment of how they are performing. It involves decision making based on the numbers and life stages of beneficial species as well as the number and life stages of the pests. The selection of pesticides to assist biological and cultural controls is an important component of IPM. The correct selection will depend upon the relative numbers of pests and beneficials, the types of beneficials, the stage of the crop, the pesticide history, and the life stages of pests and beneficials. Ideally, the pesticides used will control the targeted pest, but not disrupt the beneficial insects and mites in the crop. Monitoring is the key to all IPM strategies. Pests, as well as beneficials, should be monitored so that a whole picture of the crop environment can be taken into account when making decisions on pest control. The part of IPM often left out of considerations is the "integrated" part. IPM needs to look at ALL pests in a crop simultaneously - there is no point spraying for one pest while killing all the beneficial organisms helping control another pest. An IPM programme should look at all pests and beneficials in a crop, incorporate other appropriate biological and cultural controls, and assess the impact of all chemicals (insecticides and fungicides) on beneficials and pests. | ||
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What is IPM? | ||