Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
used in all situations. For example, fumigants may have environmental and toxicological
problems, whereas the appearance of new physiological races may hamper the use of
resistant cultivars. The integrated pest management (IPM) approach simultaneously
addresses pest control, environmental, economic, legal and public issues in an attempt to
achieve effective, economical, environmentally and publicly acceptable pest control by
using a diversity of methods which are adapted to the specifi c cropping system (Kendrick,
1988; Gupta, 1996; Katan, 1996; Davis
et al.,
2008). An appropriate IPM program can
achieve better control with minimal use of pesticides and environmental hazards, a broader
spectrum of control and even a long-term effect. The diversity of approaches reduces
the risks involved when a cropping system depends on a single control method, as in
fact happened when most of the intensive crops became dependent on methyl bromide
(MB) (see further on). An appropriate IPM program has the potential to provide a wide
spectrum of control similar to that of MB, but this requires appropriate and reliable
diagnostic tools in order to choose and adjust the appropriate control measure for each
situation. Combining and alternating methods of control are at the heart of IPM. The
following issues should be considered when developing IPM programs (Katan, 1996;
Davis
et al.,
2008):
(a)
All pests of the crop, with an emphasis on the major ones, need to be taken into
account.
The IPM program should be in harmony with the cropping system.
(b)
(c)
In combining methods of control, priority should be given to non-chemical methods.
(d)
Emphasis should be placed on reducing pesticide usage, not necessarily with the aim
of eliminating it entirely.
Environmental, economic, legal and social considerations need to be taken into
(e)
account.
When possible, decision-making tools should be used (see below).
(f)
Gupta (1996) indicated that 'the integrated disease-management system involves the
simultaneous manipulation of a number of available strategies for reducing plant disease,
with the aim of causing the least possible damage to the environment. Being part of
the agroecosystem, one has to manage the whole system rather than just the individual
malady.' Therefore, IPM is a holistic approach.
The combining of solarization with other methods of control should be considered
from two different sides: (a) as a way of improving solarization (as detailed below) and
(b) as a way of improving the other method. For example, from the latter point of view, a
suitable combination of solarization (or any non-chemical method) with
a reduced dosage
of pesticide makes the pesticide less harmful (and more acceptable), without reducing
control effectiveness, and maybe even increasing it. McGovern & McSorley (1997),
emphasized that combination of solarization with other pest management practices may
be necessary to ensure acceptable reduction of diffi cult-to-control pests, especially in
suboptimal climates.
The benefi t of combining SH with other methods should be studied with a view on the
long term. Even if its benefi t is realized in only some of the growing seasons, it will be
justifi ed since the combination will be regarded as insurance for those situations in which
the climatic conditions are less favorable for solarization.
