Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a holistic approach to managing pests that combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools. It aims to minimize the impact of pests on agriculture while promoting environmental sustainability. IPM focuses on prevention, monitoring, and control to reduce reliance on pesticides. This approach considers the ecosystem as a whole, including beneficial organisms, to maintain a balanced environment. By integrating various strategies, IPM helps farmers optimize pest control while minimizing negative effects on human health and the environment. Sites to visit for more information: https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/integrated-pest-management-ipm-principles https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/integrated-pest-management-ipm-principles https://ppqs.gov.in/divisions/integrated-pest-management/ipm-glance https://lgpress.clemson.edu/publication/biological-control-strategies-in-integrated-pest-management-ipm-programs/

1. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM)
Study Notes by Ashu Goyal
Department of Biotechnology
GGDSD College, Chandigarh
IPM is a systemic approach to pest management that focuses on managing insects, weeds
and diseases through a combination of physical, chemical, biological and cultural techniques.
● The term "Integrated Pest Management" was first used by Smith and Van den
Bosch in 1967.
● IPM uses measures which are compatible, economic, eco-friendly and
culturally feasible.
Principle Approaches in IPM
IPM is a series of pest management evaluation, decisions and control.
It includes four core approaches:
1. Set Action Threshold
2. Monitoring and Identifying Pests
3. Prevention
4. Control
1. Set Action Threshold
Before taking any pest control action, IPM first sets an action threshold, a point at which pest
populations or environmental conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken.
2. Monitoring and Identifying Pests
Not all insects, weeds, and other living organisms require control. Many organisms are
harmless, and some are even beneficial. IPM programs work to monitor for pests and
identify them accurately, so that appropriate control decisions can be made in conjunction
with action thresholds.

2. 3. Prevention
It is the first line of pest control in which IPM programs work to prevent pests from
becoming a threat. In an agricultural crop, this may mean using cultural methods, such as
rotating between different crops, selecting pest-resistant varieties, and planting pest-free
rootstock.
4. Control
Once monitoring, identification, and action thresholds indicate that pest control is required,
and preventive methods are no longer effective or available, IPM programs then evaluate the
proper control method both for effectiveness and risk.
Effective, less risky pest controls are chosen first, such as: pheromones to disrupt pest
mating, or mechanical control, such as trapping or weeding.
If further monitoring, identifications and action thresholds indicate that less risky controls are
not working, then additional pest control methods would be employed, such as targeted
spraying of pesticides.
Components of IPM
● The tactics used in IPM programs are placed in a pyramid on the basis of
increasing toxicity level of the strategy.
● IPM stresses on using the less toxic, more friendly measure first and then move
up the pyramid if the problem of pests still persists.
The key components of IPM are the various control methods which include:

3. 1. Cultural Control
This tactic involves the changes in irrigation and crop culture techniques that provide
protection from pest attack. Example of some such techniques are
2. Mechanical Control
In this tactic, several barriers and mechanical means are used to get rid of growing pests.
Example of some such techniques are :

4. 3. Physical Control
It is placed in the same level as the mechanical control. It includes changing the physical
conditions of the environment to reduce the pest population. Example:
● Temperature variation: at high temperature, grains of crop dry and it prevents
attack from rice weevils.
● Light trap: is used to bring down the population of egg laying adults like
bugs, bollworm etc.
4. Biological Control
In this, natural enemies of pests are use ro bring down their population. Emphasis is given to
protection and augmentation of indigenous natural enemies and recolonisation of those that
have been wiped out due to indiscriminate use of insecticides. There are three general
approaches to biological control:
a) Classical Biocontrol
The primary goal of classical biocontrol is to introduce and establish natural enemies
(typically exotic or non-native species) into a new environment to control invasive or
damaging pest species.
● It is an effective method.
● Poses no risk to non-target species.
● However, it is very costly and requires extensive research and testing. Due to
this, only government agencies and private bodies conduct this approach
Example: introduction of Cotesia glomerata to control cabbage white butterfly.
b) Augmentative Biocontrol
Augmentative biocontrol involves the release of mass-produced natural enemies (often
native species) to supplement existing populations and control pest outbreaks.
● Pest control speed of this approach is fast.
● Poses very little risk to non-target species.
● However, it may require repeated release of natural enemies over time to control
pest populations.
● Example: release of ladybugs to manage aphids in gardens.
c) Conservation Biocontrol
Conservation biocontrol aims to enhance and maintain the existing populations of natural
enemies in an ecosystem by providing them with the necessary resources and reducing
disturbances.
● This approach promotes sustainable pest management.
● Creates very low risk of attacking non-target species.
Example: creating flower rich strops to attract pollinators.

5. Types of biocontrol agents
Biocontrol agents can be classified into several categories based on their biological
characteristics and the types of pests they target. Four main types of biocontrol agents
include: predators, parasites, parasitoids, and pathogens.
1. Predators:
These are natural enemies that actively hunt, kill, and feed on pest species. They are
effective against a wide range of prey pests.
Example of some predators utilised under IPM program are:
Predator Species Target insects
Mite Amblyseius andersoni spider mite, russet mite,
rust mite, broad mite
Amblyseius degenerans thrips, spider mite, broad
mite
Amblyseius swirskii thrips, whitefly, broad mite
Beetle Delphastus catalinae Whitefly
Lacewings Sympherobius barberi Aphid, thrips, whitefly,
spider mite, small caterpillar
Flies Aphidoletes aphidimyza Aphids
2. Parasite and Parasitoids
Parasites and parasitoids are interchangeable terms for some practitioners, but there are
significant differences between the two types. Typically, parasites are microorganisms that
live, feed, and lay eggs on or in a host without killing it. Parasitoids do the same as parasites
but eventually kill the host.
Example of some parasitic parasitoids used in IPM include:
Parasitoids Species Target insects
Wasp (genus
Trichogramma)
Trichogramma brassicae Moth eggs
Trichogramma minutum Moth eggs
Trichogramma platneri Moth eggs
Wasp (genus
Aphidius)
Aphidius ervi Pea and potato aphids
Aphidius colemani Cotton aphids
Aphidius matricariae Green peach aphids

6. 3. Pathogens
Pathogens include microorganisms, such as fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and viruses that
cause diseases in pests. Pathogens that are used against insects and mites are referred to
as “entomopathogenic.”
Pathogen Species Target
NEMATODE
Heterorhabditis bacteriophora
White grub, Colorado potato
beetle, black vine weevil
Heterorhabditis megidis
Black vine weevil larva,
soil-borne beetle larva
Steinernema carpocapsae
Chinch bug, armyworm, peach
tree borer, and others.
Steinernema riobrave
Mole cricket, root weevil,
caterpillar
FUNGUS
Beauveria bassiana
Aphid, bug, grasshopper,
cricket, whitefly, thrips
Hirsutella thompsonii Spider mite
Metarhizium anisopliae
Grasshopper, thrips, tick, spider
mite, weevil, whitefly
Verticillium lecanii Aphid, scale,
BACTERIUM
Chromobacterium subtsugae
Aphid, armyworm, cutworm, sod
webworm, chinch bug, masked
chafer, and oriental beetle,
whitefly, thrips
Bacillus papillae Japanese beetle grub
Bacillus sphaericus Mosquito larva
Bacillus thuringiensis and
subspecies
Caterpillar
4. Microbes against other microbes and diseases:
Few bacteria are known to act as antagonists towards other bacteria and help greatly in
elimination of other Pathogens from soil.
Example of such bacterium include:

7. Species Target diseases
Agrobacterium radiobacter Crown gall
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
Cercospora, Collectrichum, Phytophthora, Powdery
mildew, Rhizoctonia, Sclerotinia
Bacillus licheniformis Dollar spot, anthracnose, brown rot (peaches)
Bacillus pumilus
Rust, downy mildew, powdery mildew, white mould,
fire blight, scab, early and late blight, bacterial spot,
northern and southern leaf blight
Bacillus subtilis
Pythium, Fusarium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia,
powdery mildew, Colletotrichum, Erwinia,
Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas, Cercospora
Pseudomonas fluorescens Fire Blight
Streptomyces spp.
Fusarium, damping off, Pythium, Phytophthora, fire
blight, Verticillium, Sclerotinia, downy mildew,
Botrytis, powdery mildew, Botrytis, Phytomatotricum,
Sclerotinia, Alternaria
5. Chemical Control
Chemical means are least recommended in IPM to kill pest populations. They are only used
when it becomes highly necessary. Application methods that do not bring insecticides in
contact with natural enemies are favoured in IPM programmes.
This method relies upon the use of chemical pesticides.
Examples of which include:
Pesticide Class Example Targeted pest
Chlorinated
hydrocarbons
Dichloro-diphenyl-tri
chloroethane (DDT)
mosquitoes, ticks, agricultural
pests
Carbamates Carbaryl beetles, aphids, caterpillars
Organophosphates Malathion mosquitoes, flies, agricultural
pests
Pyrethroids Permethrin mosquitoes, flies, ants,
cockroaches
Neonicotinoids Acetamiprid aphids, beetles, whiteflies
Spinosad Spinosad Caterpillars, thrips

8. Judicial use of chemical pesticides have several advantages like:
1. Controlling pests and plant disease vectors.
2. Controlling human/livestock disease vectors and nuisance organisms.
3. Controlling organisms that harm other human activities and structures.
But due to their synthetic nature, they are less biodegradable. This leads to their
accumulation in the environment and several ill effects that include:
1. Toxicity to non-target Species
2. Residue accumulation in soil
3. Contamination of water sources
4. Negative impact on plant pollinators
5. Development of pesticide resistance
6. Reduction of soil fertility
Thus, all the above mentioned points are the reason why chemical control is used as a last
resort in IPM.
6. Regulatory Methods
Plant and animal quarantines by the government and collective eradication and suppression
in large areas help in providing long-lasting management.
Objectives of IPM
1. Minimise the crop losses caused by pests and diseases.
2. Encourage farmers to use various ecologically sustainable pest
management approaches rather than relying only on chemical pesticides.
3. Promote use of bio-pesticides & bio-control agents in plant pest management.
4. Conserve the diverse Agro- ecosystem for build-up of various natural enemies
for plant pests.
5. Carryout survey and surveillance for pests and diseases with main emphasis
to forewarn the farmers on the potential epidemics of plant pests.
IPM in India
Components Indian Scenario
Commencement In 1992, 26 Central Integrated Pest Management
Centres (CIPMCs) were established by merging
all Central Plant Protection Stations (CPPS),
Central Surveillance Stations (CSS) and Central
Biological Control Stations (CBCS).
Present Status 36 CIPMCs in 28 States and 2 UTs
Major Activities 1. Monitoring of pests and diseases for
forewarning.
2. Conservation of natural enemies in
farmer’s fields.

9. 3. Production and field releases of biocontrol
agents.
4. Promotion of eco-friendly IPM inputs like
biopesticides/neem based pesticides.
5. Promoting IPM among farming
communities.
Impacts/Benefits 1. Crop yield increased from 6.72 to 40.1% in
rice.
2. Crop yield increased from 22.7 to 26.63 %
in cotton.
3. Chemical pesticides reduced to the extent
of 50 to 100% in rice crops.
4. Use of biopesticides/neem based
pesticides increased from 123 million tons
during 1994-95 to 7682 million tons.
IPM in The World / Application of IPM
1. Cotton pest control in Peru: Developed by Wille (1951) in Canete Valley which is
a self-contained ecosystem surrounded by arid areas. Due to extensive use of organic
insecticides and subsequent resistance developed by the cotton pests, the valley was led to
the brink of disaster.
The following steps were taken to save the crops:
● Prohibition of synthetic organic insecticides.
● Returning to the old calcium and lead arsenates and nicotine sulphates.
● Repopulation of the area with natural enemies introduced from the
surrounding regions.
● Establishment of deadlines for planting, ploughing, irrigation, pruning and harvesting.
As a result of this IPM programme, the pest problem was solved and the
whole agro-ecosystem twined into a self-balanced system.
2. Integrated Pest Management in Paddy
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) developed an intercountry programme for IPM in
South and Southeast Asia by integrating biological, chemical and cultural control methods.
3. Integrated Pest Management in Sugarcane
Chemical control is not successful in sugarcane fields because of technical and
mechanical problems of insecticide applications and also insecticide contamination
eventually reaching humans.
Integration of biological control, particularly the egg parasite, Trichogramma species and
modification of cultural practices has been found to keep the pest densities below economic
injury levels.
4. Integrated control of locust

10. FAO undertakes constant surveillance throughout the breeding areas and follows the
following IPM programme:
● Eggs are destroyed by ploughing or flooding (mechanical control).
● Nymphs are controlled either by direct spraying by aircrafts or by barrier
spraying, baiting, trenching or burning by flame-throwers.
● Repellents like neem-oil are sprayed on crops at the time of swarming.
● Swarms are either sprayed while resting on ground or by aircrafts while migrating.
Benefits of IPM
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers several significant benefits in agriculture,
horticulture, and pest management across various settings. Some of the key advantages of
implementing IPM include:
1. Reduced Pesticide Use: IPM aims to minimize the reliance on chemical pesticides.
By using alternative pest management strategies, such as biological control, cultural
practices, and resistant plant varieties, IPM reduces the need for chemical treatments. This
helps lower the environmental impact and potential harm to non-target organisms.
2. Enhanced Pest Control: IPM focuses on the long-term prevention and control of
pests, resulting in more effective and sustainable pest management. It often combines
multiple pest control methods, making it difficult for pests to develop resistance.
3. Preservation of Beneficial Organisms: IPM strategies are designed to protect
and promote beneficial insects, mites, and microorganisms that naturally regulate pest
populations. This helps maintain ecological balance and reduces the risk of secondary
pest outbreaks.
4. Improved Crop and Plant Health: IPM practices contribute to healthier plants and
crops by reducing stress caused by pest damage and excessive pesticide use. Healthy
plants are more resistant to pests and diseases.
5. Cost Savings: By minimizing pest damage and reducing the need for frequent
pesticide applications, IPM can lead to cost savings for farmers and growers. It often
results in improved crop yields and quality.
6. Reduced Environmental Impact: IPM minimizes the release of synthetic
chemicals into the environment, which can contaminate soil, water, and air. This reduces
the ecological footprint of pest management practices.
7. Human Health Benefits: IPM practices promote the safer use of pesticides and
reduce human exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, benefiting both agricultural
workers and consumers.
8. Adaptability and Sustainability: IPM is adaptable to various agricultural and
environmental conditions. It can be tailored to specific crops, regions, and pest
challenges, making it a flexible and sustainable approach.
9. Resilience to Pest Resistance: By using multiple control methods, IPM reduces
the selection pressure on pests, making it harder for them to develop resistance to
pesticides.
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