1. Pesticide Use in IPM Introduction
Pesticides have of course played a commendable role in increasing our food production and protecting us against disease vectors. However, sole reliance on pesticides has created several problems in the environment. Adverse effects of pesticides prompted scientists to look for environment friendly methods of pest control and consequently IPM was conceptualized.
Manual knapsack sprayer
Power sprayer

2. In IPM, different methods of pest control such as resistant varieties, cultural methods, physical methods, natural enemies and pesticides are integrated to suppress pest population without jeopardizing other components of the environment. Pesticides have definite role to play in IPM but their use has to be need-based. Pesticides are important weapons with man against obnoxious pests and their useful life needs to be prolonged through their judicious application.
IPM Concept

3. Harmful effects of indiscriminate pesticide use
Harmful effects on non-target organisms
Development of pest resistance against pesticides
Pest outbreaks and resurgences
Toxic residues in food
Contamination of soil, water and air
Health hazards
Pesticides constitute an importance resource and it is after great effort that an effective molecule is discovered. Therefore, pesticides need to be used in a judicious manner so as to avoid their harmful effects on environment.
Rice crop damaged during BPH outbreak

4. Judicious pesticide use
If pesticides have to play a significant role in pest management, they need to be used in accordance with IPM principles. These have to be used judiciously as last resort and not as first option. Need for pesticide use should be determined through continuous monitoring of pests on crop. Pesticides should only be used if pest incidence tends to approach economic threshold level. Properly timed one pesticide application may very well substitute for 3-4 ill timed treatments.
Pest monitoring
Pheromone trap
Light trap

5. Economic threshold levels (ETL) of crop pests

6. Selective use of pesticides
In case pesticide application is unavoidable, preference should be given selective pesticides. Such pesticides are effective against target pest but pose less hazard to non-target organisms such as natural enemies of pests, pollinators and earthworms.
Some of such pesticides are buprofezin, which is effective against homopterans like planthoppers, neem, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), nucleopolyhedrosis virus (NPV) etc.
Earthworms

7. Natural enemies of pests
Pesticides can also be made less hazardous through use of safer formulations such as granules. Pesticide granules like carbofuran 3G or cartap 4G prove effective against rice pests without jeopardizing natural enemies of pests. Pesticide should be strictly used in recommended doses avoiding their overuse and misuse.
Spider
Rove beetle

8. Adverse effects of pesticides can also be reduced by precise placement and proper timing. Foliar application of contact pesticides proves effective against planthoppers only if directed at plant bases and goes waste if carried out on foliage.
Sprayer nozzle directed at plant stems
BPH on rice stem

9. Likewise, pesticide application against stem borer should coincide with egg hatching. Natural enemies can also be protected through spot application wherein areas with high natural enemy density should not be treated.
Stem borer damage
Distinguish pests and useful organisms

10. Pesticide use under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
Continuously monitor crops.
Use pesticide only if pest population reaches economic threshold level
Use recommended pesticides at prescribed dosage
Read Pesticide labels carefully.
Purchase pesticides from reliable source and insist for bill
Keep pesticides under lock & key and away from reach of children and animals
Bury empty containers deep in soil away
Fruit fly trap
Pest monitoring

11. For regular pests seed treatment or seedling root dip- requires less pesticide with least environmental contamination
Granular formulation safer to natural enemies but do not apply after flowering
Sprayer should be in proper functioning so as to form right droplet size
Do not spray under wind speed greater than 5 km/hr and spray in the direction of the wind. Do not spray if rain is forecast as it would be a waste
Applicator should use proper gear so as to protect his body from exposure.
Ensure proper droplet size

12. Observe ‘waiting period’
Avoid pesticide application during blooming of crops. If indispensable then spray during evening hours when honey bees are not active.
Observe ‘waiting period’
Use pesticides as last resort and not as first option
Prefer selective pesticides or selective formulations
Do not tank mix pesticides. Use combination products.
Protect honeybees
Mustard crop

13. Some of the newer pesticides required in lower quantity

14. Let’s Sum Up
Sole reliance on pesticides for pest control has created several problems.
Pesticides are important weapons with man against obnoxious pests and
their useful life needs to be prolonged through their judicious application.
Need for pesticide use should be determined through continuous pest
monitoring on crops and should only be used if pest incidence tends to
approach economic threshold level.
Properly timed single pesticide application may very well substitute for
3-4 ill-timed treatments.
Preference should be given selective pesticides that are effective against
target pest but pose less hazard to non-target organisms like neem, Bt etc.
Pesticides can also be made less hazardous through use of safer
formulations such as granules.
Adverse effects of pesticides can also be reduced by their precise
placement.
Natural enemies can also be protected through spot application
wherein areas with high natural enemy density should not be treated.