Destruction of sick plants is recommended. This is particularly effective in the case of diseases that may spread rapidly through the field. For example plants are sometimes suffering from wilting diseases, which can be either caused by fungi or bacteria. Infested plants will die and not produce any harvest. The farmer should quickly remove and … Read more
The plant residues that remain in the field after harvest often still contain pests or diseases. They form consequently a source of infection for the next crop. For this reason the destruction of crop residues after the harvest is often recommended. Example (insects): Stalk borers are insects that pass the dry season as caterpillars or … Read more
Many beneficial insects and spiders are helping the farmer to defend the crop against pests. In IPM they are therefore called “defenders”. Some of these defenders are predators, which eat the pest insects. For example the adults and larvae of ladybird beetles eat aphids. Other defenders are parasites of pests. For example certain parasitic wasps … Read more
Cultural control is a method of crop protection using careful timing and a combination of agronomic practices to make the environment less favorable for the increase of certain pests or diseases. It includes practices such as tillage, planting (or transplanting), irrigation, sanitation, mixed cropping and crop rotation. A principle of IPM is to “grow a … Read more
The best way to conserve natural crop defenders is to avoid the use of toxic chemicals. But in addition to this, the farmer can do more to protect beneficial insects and spiders. IPM farmers will try to create an environment that is optimal for the development of beneficial insects. By growing border crops the farmer … Read more
Farmers can use crop residues to make compost. Usually this is done by making heaps with alternating layers of organic waste, soil, chalk, fresh manure and green plant materials. A fermentation process will take place, which turns the material into a good organic fertilizer. There are many methods to make compost heaps or to compost … Read more
A few crops are not grown from seeds, but from parts of the cultivated plants. This is called vegetative multiplication. For example, the potato is grown by planting tubers and sugarcane is cultivated by planting parts of the stem. With this type of reproduction, certain pests and diseases can develop during one season and be … Read more
A good IPM farmer will inspect his/her fields regularly. During these visits to the field, sick plants (for example a virus infested plant) and infested leaves or branches should be removed and destroyed. By removing these infested plant parts (whether infested by insect pests or diseases), the source for further spreading is taken away. We … Read more
Many chemical products are available that can be used to control insects or diseases. They are called synthetic pesticides. Pesticides are usually used for treating crops or soil, but can also be used in seed treatment, in poisoned baits and sometimes in traps. Integrated Pest Management depends on the beneficial insects and spiders to keep … Read more
Many plants have insecticidal properties. Botanical products are extracts of these plants, which can be sprayed on crop to kill or repel insects. A well-known example is the Neem tree (Azadirachta indica). All parts of this tree, but especially the grains, contain active ingredients, which can be used as insecticide. Neem is found to be … Read more
