Question

What is IPM? Give an example of bioinsecticides and bioherbicides and how do they help in pest control.

Answer 1

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) involves several pest-control methods which promote biological control methods instead of the use of chemical pesticides, thus, saving the environment from agrochemical problems. It involves following few control methods.
(i) Soil conditioning, crop rotation, proper sanitation practices.
(ii) Eliminating pest by starvation.
(iii) Mixing crop with specific weed on which insect may feed instead of crop.

Bioinsecticides are living organisms usually insects or microorganism which help to control other insect-pests e.g., lady bugs control aphids in crops. Bioherbicides are insects or micro-organism which are used to control weeds. e.g., the fungus Phytophthora palmivora checks the growth of milkweed vines in citrus orchards. These organisms feed selectivity or produce diseases in weed and thus eliminate them. checks the growth of milkweed vines in citrus orchards. These organisms feed selectivity or produce diseases in weed and thus eliminate them.