Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Techniques

Knowledge is Power

  • Environmental protection laws are being drafted to protect groundwater from pesticide and chemical contamination.
  • More farmers are adopting methods to protect crops, maintain production yields, and keep food products safe.
  • These methods are called Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques.
  • The core principle of IPM is understanding pests and diseases before taking action.
  • Indiscriminate spraying of pesticides without identifying the target is no longer acceptable.
  • As farmers recognize the benefits of IPM, chemical usage is expected to decrease.
  • This lesson provides an overview of the key steps in IPM.

Danger Ahead: Terminology of Chemicals in Food and Fiber Production

  • Understanding the terminology of chemicals used in food and fiber production is crucial.

Insecticides

  • Chemicals designed to affect insects.
  • They need to be potent enough to overcome insects' tolerance to toxic chemicals.
  • Must penetrate the insects' outer skeletal bodies.

Pesticides

  • Chemicals designed to affect insects and other pests like snails and caterpillars.
  • Some pesticides target rodents and other animals considered pests.
  • Pesticides can be specialized or broad-spectrum.
  • Generally composed of hazardous materials.

Vocabulary

  • Freely spraying pesticides on food without considering what is attacking the food is no longer considered an acceptable farming practice.
  • Insecticides are usually extremely toxic because of the insects' incredible tolerance for toxic chemicals and their outer skeletal bodies that are hard to penetrate.

Fungicides

  • Chemicals designed to eliminate or control the growth of fungi.
  • Typically oil-based and very poisonous.

Herbicides

  • Chemicals designed to attack specific plants.
  • Highly selective herbicides can eliminate unwanted plants.
  • Example: In wheat or barley crops, herbicides target non-grass plants.
  • Example: In tomato crops, herbicides target grasses and other weeds.
  • Often used in combination with fertilizers and pesticides.
  • Can be very hazardous.

Fertilizers

  • Chemical fertilizers enhance soil and increase crop yield.
  • These chemicals may be hazardous to wildlife.