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Integrated Pest Management, (IPM), is a broad based approach that combines a range of practices to economically control plant pests. Several local Gippsland vegetable growers benefited from a seminar conducted by Dr Paul Horne (IPM Technologies P/L), on IPM and how it can be integrated into the vegetable growing industry to help improve pest control.
The FAO defines IPM as “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.” “IPM emphasises the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption to agro-ecosystems and encourages natural pest control mechanisms,” Wikipedia.
As Dr Horne said : “IPM involves three components that must be well integrated to meet quality requirements.” These components are:
The use of IPM as part of your overall vegetable crop management practice, must be carefully considered. Take small steps at first to understand what pests and disease levels are present on your farm. The regular monitoring and recording of the occurrence of pests and beneficial insects in different crops, allows better crop management decisions to be made. For more information contact :
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