Integrated Pest Management:

Concepts and Principles

Concepts and Principles

• 1. A species is NOT considered a pest unless it exceeds

untolerable levels
• The presence of few individuals of insects in the field does not
indicate that they are inflicting damage that can result in
significant grain yield reduction and does not necessarily
constitute a pest problem.

• However, when species population become and remain, for

some reason, higher than normal, then they can be considered
pests.
1. A species is NOT considered a pest unless it exceeds
untolerable levels
• No two pest situations are the same; often there will be
significant differences in pest populations even between
neighboring fields.

• The same field will vary from season to season or year to year
in the character and severity of its pest problems.

• In other words, a management program that worked last year

may entirely be inappropriate for the next year .
Concepts and Principles
Compensation can be brought about by:
 re-growth of damaged tissues
production of new or additional leaves
 production of new or additional tillers
increased size of new leaves
increased photosynthesis in undamaged leaves
increased chlorophyll content of subsequently produced leaves
increased nutrient uptake by new or remaining tissues
delayed senescence in remaining tissues, etc
 Concepts and Principles
• 2. The ECOSYSTEM is the Management Unit
• IPM systems are dynamic, hence, the whole ecosystem should be
considered in the development of pest management strategies.
• The individual organism, the population, the community, and the physical
factors are the building blocks of the ecosystem.
• The ecosystem concept emphasizes the interaction of all factors in a given
area, and that it forces us to look further or beyond.
• Diversifying the ecosystem can be important in encouraging the role of
natural enemies (ecological engineering or habitat manipulation).
Concepts and Principles

3. Natural Control must be

Maximized
IPM is an ecologically- based pest
management strategy that relies
heavily on natural mortality factors
(such as the natural enemies) and
weather.
Concepts and Principles
Control by natural enemies (biological control) is cheap, effective,
“permanent”, and non disruptive of other elements of the
ecosystem.
However, it is also the factor most likely to be disturbed by the
employment of other pest control tactics especially the use of
pesticides.
Concepts and Principles

4. Control procedures must not produce unexpected and

undesirable effects
• Actions should be made to restore and preserve natural
balances in the ecosystem and not eliminate species.

• IPM programs do not include eradication methods; the

concept is to suppress a pest and not annihilate (wipe-out) it.
Concepts and Principles
Other unfavorable effects of a control
action are environmental contamination
and the killing of wildlife.

Reports of death and injury among farm

workers and other human victims
imprudently exposed to toxic dosages of
pesticides were numerous.
Practical Ways of Applying IPM Concepts
A. Conduct Agro-ecosystems analysis (AESA)
B. Be sure of the cause of the damage by checking the
following:
1. Characteristic damage
2. Symptoms
3. Growth phase affected
C. Check the pest for the following:
1. Distinguishing characteristics
2. Stage of the pest causing damage
 Practical Ways of Applying IPM Concepts
D. Combine all possible method of pest
management
1. Use resistant varieties
2. Practice cultural control
3. Harvest at ground level or incorporate residues to the
soil to eliminate host of pests and diseases
4. Practice fallow or rest period for at least four weeks
or plant crops other than rice to disrupt the life cycle
of the pests
Practical Ways of Applying IPM Concepts

5. Use recommended fertilizer rates, especially nitrogen, as this

make the plant susceptible to some pests
6. Prepare the land thoroughly to maintain the water level uniformly
for weeds and snail management
7. Use the right seeding rate
8. Keep the paddy dikes as small as possible, narrow and low so
that rats cannot burrow in them.
Practical Ways of Applying IPM Concepts

E. Conserve biological control agents or friendly organisms.

F. Use chemical control only when necessary (judiciously) or use
a combination of measures that are applicable and available.
What is then the objective of IPM?
Improve decision making on Pest Management
• With the successful implementation of IPM…
– Ecological disruption, environmental pollution &
unexpected pest outbreaks are minimized
– Reduced chemical contamination of food and
environment
– Reduced crop loss; reduce pesticide use
– Natural or biological control is maximized
– Better pest management decisions are made
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