Discuss how integrated pest management differs from historical pest management practices

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Integrated pest management is the effective combination of chemical, biological, and cultural means to manage pests. It is not the goal of IPM to completely eradicate pests, but the focus is to keep pest populations low enough to minimize crop loss. This approach requires extensive knowledge of pest life cycles and the interaction of pests with other organisms in the ecosystem. Less exposure of chemicals to the environment is a major IPM strategy. Using crop rotation, natural enemies, tilling of the soil to control weed growth, biological controls (pheromones), as well as using chemicals that have low impact on humans and other pests are some of the varied strategies used by IPM.
Historically, farmers have used various measures to control insect pests. However, in the mid-20th century, powerful chemical pesticides including DDT and other broad-spectrum pesticides were used almost exclusively to control pests. These pesticides have been found to disturb agroecosystems by killing helpful insects (pollinators as well as pest predators) as well as the harmful ones. Before the use of DDT, farmers had little appreciation for the role played by the natural predators of insect pests or the long-term persistence of these nondegrading chemicals in the environment. This began to slowly change with the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, and the subsequent 1972 ban of DDT use in the United States. Use of chemical pesticides continues; however, the knowledge and benefits of IPM and organic farming practices are increasing.