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Systems of plant protection
P S Teng1, S Savary, I Revilla
1International Rice Research Institute, Division of Plant Pathology, Manila, The Philippines.
Ciba Foundation Symposium
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Effective pest management requires understanding farming systems, integrating crop cycles, variety choices, agrochemical use, and infrastructure. Sustainable farming hinges on realistic plant protection strategies.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Agronomy
- Ecology
Background:
- Pest management is intrinsically linked to diverse farming systems.
- Traditional practices, modern inputs, and infrastructure significantly influence pest dynamics.
- Unsustainable farming practices can arise from neglecting realistic plant protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a framework for analyzing pest management within various farming systems.
- To highlight the interplay between farming system characteristics and pest control strategies.
- To underscore the importance of sustainable plant protection.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of farming systems using a cropping index, plant species homogeneity, agrochemical intensity, and infrastructure support.
- Analysis of pest management approaches across different global agricultural contexts (Philippines, West Africa, USA, Southeast Asia, Netherlands).
Main Results:
- Farming systems vary in complexity, from traditional tribal methods to intensive monocultures.
- Pest management strategies range from ritualistic practices to host plant resistance and agrochemical reliance.
- Intensive farming systems often exhibit increased pest problems due to pesticide overuse.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive framework is essential for understanding and optimizing pest management in agriculture.
- Sustainable farming requires integrating realistic plant protection into system design.
- The choice of farming system and its associated inputs directly impacts pest challenges and sustainability.