Question

What are the components of integrated pest management?

Answer 1

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a cost-effective and ecologically friendly pest-control strategy that employs a variety of common-sense techniques. IPM programmes make use of up-to-date, comprehensive data on pest life cycles and interactions with the environment.

Complete answer:
The major component of integrated pest management in increasing order of complexity are as:-
1. Cultural practices.
2. Mechanical practices.
3. Regulatory practices.
4. Biological practices.
5. Parasitoids.
6. Predators.
7. Bio-pesticides.
8. Chemical practices.
Integrated pest management (IPM), sometimes known as integrated pest control (IPC), is a broad-based approach that combines strategies for pest control that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. IPM tries to keep pest numbers below the point where they cause economic harm (EIL). "The careful consideration of all available pest control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations and keep pesticides and other interventions to levels that are economically justified and reduce or minimise risks to human health and the environment," according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.
Successful IPM programs use this four-tiered implementation approach:- Identify pests and monitor progress, Set action thresholds, Prevent, Control.
The use of manual or mechanical measures to change the soil and crop environment to inhibit pest establishment is known as cultural control.
By killing or disturbing the breeding cycle of chewing and sucking insects that harm the quality and productivity of crops, predatory or parasitic insects and mites known as "beneficials" or "good bugs" help to manage them.
Chemical control involves the use of pesticides in the management of pests. It is used in IPM when biological and cultural control has not been enough to protect the productivity of the crop. Where chemical control is required, selective insecticides are chosen which target the pest, leaving the beneficial population unharmed.

Note:-
While IPM has been around for a long time, it has only recently gained traction in the cropping industry. Implementing a good IPM programme needs meticulous attention to the interactions between the crop, environment, primary and secondary pests, beneficials, and a great deal of patience.