Question

What is the role of IPM in pest management? What are the hazards posed by pesticides?

Answer 1

Integrated pest management (IPM), is an interdisciplinary practice involving disciplines such as entomology, nematology, plant pathology, weed science, horticulture, agronomy, ecology, economics, and systems science. Most descriptions of IPM mention three elements: a) multiple tactics (for example, competitive varieties, cultural practices, herbicide usage) used in a compatible manner; b) pest populations maintained below levels that cause economic damage, and c) conservation of environmental quality. Highly hazardous pesticides may have acute and/or chronic toxic effects, and pose particular risk to children. Their widespread use has caused health problems and fatalities in many parts of the world, often as a result of occupational exposure and accidental or intentional poisonings.