Pest and Disease

Management
 Pest and Disease Management
Introduction:
Pest and disease management consists of a range of
activities that support each other. Most management
practices are long-term activities that aim at
preventing pests and disease from affecting a crop.
Management focuses on keeping existing pest
populations and diseaseslow.
 What is Pest
A pest is any living thing—a plant, an animal, or a
microorganism—that has a negative effect on
humans. It can be an unwanted plant (weed), fungi,
nematode, microbe (such as bacteria or virus), insect,
spider, mite, bird, fish, rodent, or even a deer.
 Effect of Pest
Pests can cause including allergic reactions and asthma, respiratory disease,
and mental health anguish. To protect your health it is important thealth
problems hat you prevent these pests from entering your home and if you have
a pest problem that it is dealt with quickly.
 What causes a pest problem?

Favourable climatic conditions, disruption of ecosystems and negligence

of crop/forest hygiene contribute to growth in insect populations which
can cause substantial damage regularly. In many cases, long distance
spread of insects results from transportation of infested goods.
 Damage of pest in crops

Insects with chewing mouthparts, for example, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and

beetles, cause feeding damage such as holes or notches in foliage and other
plant parts, leaf skeletonizing (removal of tissue between the leaf veins), leaf
defoliation, cutting plants off at the soil surface, or consumption of roots.
 Definition of Plant disease

Plant disease is defined as the state of local or systemic abnormal

physiological functioning of a plant, resulting from the continuous,
prolonged 'irritation' caused by phytopathogenic organisms
(infectious or biotic disease agents).
 Diseases in agriculture can have various effects, including:

1. Crop yield reduction: Diseases can lower crop yields by damaging plants, reducing their
ability to produce fruits, vegetables, or grains.

2. Economic losses: Farmers may incur significant financial losses due to decreased yields,
increased spending on disease management, and potential crop loss.

3. Food security concerns: Reduced crop yields can lead to food shortages, affecting local and
global food security.

4. Increased pesticide use: Farmers may resort to increased pesticide use to control diseases,
which can have negative environmental impacts and contribute to pesticide resistance.

5. Crop quality reduction: Diseases can also affect the quality of agricultural products, such as
altering taste, texture, and nutritional content.
6. Impact on trade: Disease outbreaks can result in trade
restrictions and barriers due to concerns about spreading
pathogens to other regions or countries.

7. Environmental impact: Disease management practices, such as

pesticide application, can have adverse effects on soil, water, and
biodiversity.

Overall, diseases pose significant challenges to agriculture,

requiring effective management strategies to minimize their
impact on crops, farmers, and the environment.
 What are the cause of disease in our crops?

Diseases in crops can be caused by various factors including fungal, bacterial,

viral, and parasitic pathogens. Other factors such as environmental stress, poor soil
conditions, improper irrigation, and inadequate pest management can also
contribute to crop diseases. Additionally, the lack of genetic resistance in certain
crop varieties can make them more susceptible to diseases.
 How can organic farming prevent pest and diseases in our crops .

As a market gardener, small scale farmer or grower; you know the importance of
protecting your crops from pests. However, traditional pest control methods can be harmful
to the environment and may even leave harmful residues on your crops. This is where
organic pest control comes in - it offers effective strategies for protecting your crops
without damaging the environment or your harvest. In this blog post, we'll explore some of
the best organic pest control methods for market gardens and small scale farming.
 Crop Rotation

Crop rotation involves planting different crops in different areas of

your farm each year to help prevent the build-up of pest populations.
Pests and diseases that target specific crops won't be able to survive if
their host plants aren't present. Crop rotation can also help to improve
soil health and fertility.
 Companion Planting
Companion planting involves planting different crops together that have
complementary characteristics. For example, planting marigolds with
your tomatoes can help to deter root-feeding nematodes, while planting
basil with your lettuce can help to repel aphids. Companion planting
can also help to attract beneficial insects and pollinators to your farm.
 Natural Predators
Introducing natural predators to your farm can be an effective way to control
pests. For example, ladybugs are natural predators of aphids and can help to
keep their population in check. You can also attract birds to your farm by
providing nesting boxes and bird feeders - they'll help to control insect
populations and provide a natural form of pest control.
 Homemade Organic “Pesticides”

If natural methods aren't enough, you can use some home-made deterrents to
control pest populations. Organic Neem oil, for example, is a natural pesticide that
can help to control a wide range of pests when used as a foliar spray… and aphids
can be sprayed off of plants with just a mix of water and organic washing up liquid.
Even a mix of bicarbonate of soda and water (with some organic vegetable oil as a
sticking agent) can help to slow down the spread of blight and other diseases.