ABSTRACT
Pesticides were to be used, but only as necessary, based on population monitoring and “economic thresholds.” In the United States, this approach soon became known as integrated pest management (IPM), while in Europe it was more commonly called integrated control. Like the term sustainable agriculture, the acronym IPM is widely used under various contexts. The use of sampling and economic thresholds is aimed primarily at optimization of pesticide use. Crop rotation systems offer numerous advantages in soil structure, fertility and erosion management, as well as aiding in control of various pest species. Crop rotation for pest management consists of a planting pattern alternating susceptible and nonsusceptible crops. Planting and harvesting dates of some crops can be altered to reduce or to avoid pest damage. One of the most successful, nonchemical approaches to pest management is that of biological control.
