Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which takes a comprehensive approach to weed, insect and disease management to protect yields, can help farmers grow higher yields on a smaller amount of existing cropland to meet the needs of a growing world population. IPM benefits to control insects include: increased profits, reduced risks, protection of the environment and delayed resistance.
IPM practices are used to control insects by implementing a combination of seed traits, seed treatments, hybrids and varieties to offer the best outcomes.
Diversified resistance-management practices represent another aspect of insect IPM. These include various cultural practices, such as tillage, scouting and proper identification of insect pests. IPM practices work in sync to maintain the sustainability of existing insect-management products, foster high yields and protect the environment.
Farmers specifically benefit by using IPM practices to produce crops sustainably in a way that also offers flexibility, good use of resources and new technologies to increase yields and profits. With IPM practices, farmers and the industry can decrease infestations, protect the environment, reduce the potential for product resistance to insect pests and boost consumer confidence in food safety and fiber quality.
Specific insect IPM practices vary by crop: