Looking at Integrated Pest Management

There is a big buzz about the increasing limitations on chemical usage such as pesticides. For some commodities, there have always been severe limitations. Pest resistance, resurgence and the development and growth of secondary pests into major pests has been an ongoing topic. But there is a solution for dealing with pests on your farm using a method that considers your economic value, the environment and best practice for sustainability.

What does IPM mean?

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a holistic approach to pest management that incorporates various methods to reduce pest populations and minimize the use of pesticides. It is a process that allows you to make the most economical, efficient and sustainable decision to best eradicate or minimize a pest that is causing damage to your crop.

An approach which “means 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.”  – International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, FAO.

The practices used in IPM are not new, they have been used for generations before pesticides were developed. Pesticides have been a great help. But with the cost of pesticides and the development of resistance to pesticides is increasing. It is evident that the only way forward is to look at all your options.

Setting up a good IPM program allows you to do just that. Monitoring and managing the pest instead of elimination can reduce costs, preserve the environment, and keep the health of humans, animals and beneficial insects in mind.

How to set up a good IPM plan?
To set up a good IPM plan, you have to look at the 5 main steps to follow:

Monitor the environment
Identify pests that can cause a threat
Assess the possible loss or damage
Implement a treatment strategy
Evaluate the success.

Most of you are not new to farming, some of the orchards are long-standing, and you already have a scouting plan and traps to monitor numbers. You know the pests that are prevalent in your area, when their numbers rise due to favourable weather conditions and which pests to look out for for your specific crops.

The step where we really start making decisions is the assess step. Where we reach certain thresholds. This is a crucial step because this is when you decide where to implement control. Accessing expert advice is crucial here because sometimes a low threshold like 5/ha is enough to take action, and you need to do it quickly.

When you implement a treatment strategy this can be done pre-, during or post-emergence. When managing this pest, you have to take into account the lifecycle of the pest, its naturally occurring enemies, the possible damage or crop loss, and weather conditions.

An IPM plan may be slower in result when compared to immediate eradication with chemicals and be a bit more effort than just a quick spray, but most times, it is more effective and economical in the long run. It is also important to note that a stressed plant attracts pests, and with that being said, plant health plays a crucial role in your pest management scheme.

The following touchpoints are the main control methods used when implementing a treatment strategy:

Cultural control: This includes practices such as maintaining good orchard hygiene, removing and destroying infested fruit, and pruning to improve air circulation. Good soil preparation by creating favourable environments for plants to thrive. Keep in mind good crop rotation when possible, or planting weeds or other plants that repel those pests prevalent in your orchard (intercropping), as well as removing those favourable to those pests to avoid them becoming hosts.

Mechanical/Physical control: Believe it or not, good irrigation practices are seen as a mechanical way to repel pests, for example, aphids and other insects usually feed on the bottom side of the leaf. Adjusting your spray nozzles to a bit of stronger steam when your orchards are mature can dislodge the tiny pests from the leaves. Hand-picking the pests while their numbers are low or when they are in an egg phase or larva phase might cost you some labour costs but will save damage to your crop and save you on chemical costs. Traps are not just used for monitoring but to lure the pest away from the crop. You can also establish barriers, like aluminium foil here and there, to repel aphids.

Biological control: This involves using natural predators such as ladybugs, spiders, lacewings and birds, parasites like parasitic wasps, and pathogens to control pests. They are often common in unsprayed fields for preventative measures.

And yes, when used correctly…

Chemical control: When necessary, the use of pesticides should be minimized and targeted specifically to the pest in question. Care should be taken to ensure that the pesticides used are approved for use in your country and that they are used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It is recommended to rotate insecticides with different modes of action when controlling pests (See https://irac-online.org/mode-of-action/classification-online/ ). If early season pesticide is required, a seed dressing is often advised over a foliar spray for example to keep an inviting environment for your natural predators to still do their job. Natural enemies can often be promoted by spot spraying and really only spraying when all else fails.

Conclusion
Using chemicals only when necessary, helps to reduce the development of resistance in the pest population and prolongs the efficacy of the insecticides. The rotation frequency will depend on the specific pest population, the severity of the infestation, and the specific orchard environment.

It is equally important to consider the current climate conditions when developing a pest management plan for orchards. Monitoring the weather and the orchard environment can help to predict when pests will be most active and when control measures should be applied.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to cost, the cost of the pest management program should be considered and balanced with the potential economic loss from pest damage.

We recommend consulting with your pest management expert/advisor and monitoring the orchard’s environment and the market situation to make the most appropriate decision to protect the orchard.

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