1.

(a) What is Insect Pest Management? (b) How cultural methods are applied to control pest? (c) Illustrate the method of biological pest control with two examples? 

Answer»

(a) Insect pest management or Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a system that, in the context of associated environment and population dynamics of the pest species, utilizes all suitable techniques and methods in as compatible a manner as possible and maintains pest populations at levels below those causing economic injury. 

(b) The cultural control is a key component of Integrated Pest Management. Cultural method of pest control involves use of production and management techniques followed by farmers for crop productivity to manipulate pest population. Cultural control consists of introducing minor changes in the farm practices and farm machinery that aids both in agricultural production and pest control.

S.NoCropping TechniquesPest controlled
1Summer ploughingRed hairy caterpillar of Groundnut
2Puddling under lowland condition in paddy cultivationRice mealy bug
3Pest free seed materialPotato tuber moth, Banana rhizome weevil 
4High seed rateSorghum shootfly
5Plant densityRice Brown planthopper  
6Trap cropping in cabbage and cauliflower. Trap crop is mustardDiamond back moth
7Earthing upSugarcane early shoot borer
8Destruction of weed hosts (Tinosporacordifolia)Citrus fruit sucking moth
9Trimming and plasteringRice grass hopper

The cropping techniques mentioned above are adopted for the pest control. The cultural control can be effective if practiced at the community level. For example, farm practices like synchronised sowing, crop sanitation, crop rotation have beneficial effect if adopted on a large scale. 

(c) Biological control 

The study and utilization of parasitoids, predators and pathogens for the regulation of pest population densities is called as biological pest control. The techniques adopted for biological control are as follows: 

1. Conservation and encouragement of indigenous natural enemies 

2. Introduction of natural enemies into a new locality 

3. Mass culturing and release of natural enemies to increase its population. 

 Parasitoids as a biocontrol: 

Parasitoid is an insect parasite of an arthropod which is parasitic in immature stages and adults are free living. e.g. 

1. Trichogrammachilonis on the eggs of sugarcane internode borer, cotton bollworm. 

2. Chelonusblackburni on the eggs of cotton spotted bollworm.

Predators as a biocontrol: 

Predator is a free living organism throughout its life. Predator kills its prey. The predator is usually larger than its prey. e.g. 

1.Lady bird beetle (Coccinellaseptumpunctata) against aphids (pest). 

2. Reduviid bug (Rhinocorisfuscipes) against cotton American bollworm (Helicoverpaarmigera) (pest)



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