What is IPM?
Integrated pest management (IPM) is an approach to pest control that considers all management options to maintain pests below an economic injury level. Tools for the management of pests include cultural, physical, biological, behavioural and chemical. With IPM, adverse effects of pesticides are minimized and economic returns are maintained.
IPM programs make extensive use of information collected in the cropping system and require careful management by the grower. To implement an IPM program you must understand:
- pest identification, biology and behaviour
- beneficial organisms
- monitoring techniques
- use and timing of appropriate management tools
- record keeping
- resistance management strategies
- weed management
- spray calibration
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