ABSTRACT
The production potential of agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide is reduced by abiotic and biotic factors. Various kinds of pests, that is, weeds, pathogens, viruses, arthropods and other animal pests reduce the quantity and quality of crop products. Oerke (2006) estimated that, without control, diseases, animal pests and weeds may reduce worldwide crop production by 16%, 18% and 34%, respectively; despite current crop protection practices, actual losses to diseases (caused by fungi, oomycetes and bacteria), animal pests and weeds account for 11%, 11% and 8% of the production potential. Pest management has to be effective, efficient and sustainable and can be realized by combining mechanical, biological and/or chemical tools and other supportive technologies in integrated pest management (IPM) systems (Oerke et al. 2010a).
