What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
An IPM system seeks to implement socially responsible and economically feasible methods of reducing agricultural pests and promoting sustainable agriculture for the preservation of the environment. Management options include
- Cultural: crop rotation
- Mechanical: cultivating beneficial weeds
- Biological: releasing beneficial insects or parasites to control other pests
- Genetic: use of plant disease-resistant varieties
- Chemical: herbicides, insecticides, fungicides
Pros
- Potential for increased production and improved quality of crops
- Lower incidences of pesticides in the environment
- May reduce farming costs
Cons
- Live and/or dead pests in harvested produce
- Time consuming
- Inconsistent results
For information about IPM in general: National Integrated Pest Management Network
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