Integrated pest and disease management

 

Integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) is a science based approach to managing pests and diseases by understanding the environment, the pest or disease, and the conditions the promote survival, the crop and its growing conditions and natures ecology and interactions with natural enemies. The use of eco-friendly pesticides are only applied and used as a last resort based on careful environmental monitoring.

 

IPDM uses a range of different control options which are used in together to manage (not eradicate) pest and disease populations. It is used within the framework of a monitoring system and is applied once the pest of disease pressure reaches what is called the economic threshold level (ETL).

 

Once the ETL is reached, a control method is applied. IPDM will use a range of different control methods proven by science to reduce the pest and disease populations and economic loss to the grower. These control methods may include (but not limited to) (1). Cultural control, (2). Physical control, (3). Mechanical control, (4). Quarantine control, (5). Crop hygeine, (6). Biological control, and as a last resort, (7). Targeted chemical control with eco-friendly pesticides.

 

Our goal at Hortactix is to develop IPDM systems that work with nature to promote environmental conditions that disrupt pest and disease populations so that economic damage is not achieved to the farmer. IPDM helps to promote conditions that favour the build up of nature's natural enemies. IPDM results in pesticide reduction and environmental balance to manage pests and disease populations within the cropping system.