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Tomatoes 2008
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Integrated pest management (IPM) manages pest populations below levels that cause economic or aesthetic damage levels by balancing biologic cultural, chemical, genetic or other control methods. Control may be aimed at one or more pests depending on the scope and complexity of t management system. IPM takes into account interactions among pests, environment and commodity, as well as social implications of the chosen control strategies. IPM differs from traditional control a approaches where each pest is considered and controlled individually, and where emphasis m be on a single measure The IPM concept comes from the realization that any disruption of a pest tends to affect other pests and beneficials in the urban, range or cropping systems with greater diversity tend to undergo fewer disruptive pest outbreaks. For this reason, it has been easier to develop IPM programs in fairly stable environments, such as tree fruits, forest or alfalfa than in annual crops and gardens that represent more disruptive environments. APPROACH Integrated pest management systems need to be flexible and broad, and several approaches can be taken. One possible approach follows: 1. Identify pests that must be managed. Pests include insects, mites, weeds and vertebrates, and plant pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes that cause economic or severe aesthetic damage to crops or plants. Diagnosis, incidence and loss information are relevant factors in this identification process. 2. Define the management unit. A single garden or field may be a unit if a soil-borne nematode (low mobility) is the key pest. A larger unit will be required for a highly mobile pest. 3. Develop an optimum pest management program that uses multiple control tactics. Combinations of control tactics need to be effective and compatible with beneficial organisms and the environment. The program can vary with time of year and location for given crop. Biology of the pest and possible interactions are considered. For example, interactions between the pest and the environment, such as an increase in predator populations or the effect of weather on the sporulation of a fungus, may dictate the effective timing or utilization of a control practice. Interaction between rotation crops and weeds and pest and beneficial anthropods must also be considered. 4. Develop reliable monitoring techniques. Sampling methods must accurately assess numbers of pests and beneficial organisms per unit of field, orchard, plant, stem, leaf or other basis. This information is necessary to determine population trends as one basis for decision making. For example, white grubs per unit of soil must be counted to determine when and if chemical treatment is necessary. Pheromone traps can be used to time chemical treatments more effectively for other pests for which pheromones are available. 5. Determine economic or aesthetic injury levels or the relation between the pest population, amount of damage and cost of control. If a pest population is below a specific level (economic threshold), it may cost more to control than the dollar return from control. In the case of many ornamental plants, the cost may be excessive for the improved appearance of the plants (aesthetic threshold). 6. Develop descriptive and predictive models. Models can predict pest epidemics and time pesticide applications, identify knowledge gaps for research, and organize an approach for research or a strategy for control. OBJECTIVES IPM objectives are to develop and implement programs and disseminate information on pest management through the approach listed previously. Possible objectives are: 1.Develop effective monitoring techniques for pest and beneficial populations, and determine economic or aesthetic injury levels to facilitate management decisions. 2.Optimize pesticide use, reduce impact on non-target organisms, and combine this use with other management practices. 3.Improve crop yields, quality and economic returns, and reduce aesthetic damage to ornamental plants and turf by a multi-tactic approach to managing pest populations. ADVANTAGES OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT Experience has shown excessive pesticide use develops resistance in pests. Pesticides must be employed carefully and sparingly to extend their usefulness. If IPM leads to reduced pesticide use, the reduction also lowers costs for growers and gardeners. In addition, most pesticides are petroleum-based chemicals, a diminishing fossil energy resource. Finally, many pesticides are toxic to several beneficial organisms that contribute to man’s pleasure in this environment, or that help control pests. Pesticides should be used only when necessary and must be applied correctly to minimize these problems. IPM combines biologically based pest control techniques to provide obvious advantages to the grower and society. It does not necessarily reduce pesticide application, but stresses more logical use of pesticides. The correct selection and timing of a pesticide can be a powerful tool to improve market grade, and to greatly increase grower returns. A pesticide used unwisely can actually cost more and abuse the environment. IPM PROGRAMS New Mexico has organized IPM programs on rangeland, alfalfa and cotton. New projects on forests, tree fruits and urban pests have been recently initiated. The alfalfa and cotton projects are now largely conducted by consultants, fieldmen and growers, with New Mexico State University providing updated information. IPM has played and will continue to play a major role in reducing or eliminating pesticide threats to endangered species and groundwater pollution, and in reducing the problem of pesticide resistance. IPM encompasses organic production techniques for a sustainable future for growers and homeowners.
02/01/2009
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