Integrated Pest Management of Crops

Dear Colleagues,

Agriculture is undergoing a continuous transformation, which in many countries is leading to an increase in the use of intensive practices in parallel to the abandonment of agriculture by small farmers. Pest control in this context refers to maintaining the dominance of conventional chemical control, despite its disadvantages for human and environmental health.

Integrated pest management (IPM), according to the IOBC’s (International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control) definition, is a part of integrated production (IP), a concept of sustainable agriculture focusing on pests, pathogens and weeds based on agro-ecology that aims to contribute to sustainable, resilient, profitable and robust farming systems. IPM was first introduced more than 60 years ago; however, it has not been adopted at the expected pace. The implementation of IPM requires specialized personnel and is associated with a higher cost of labour than conventional control, although economically it is no less profitable and far more environmentally friendly. Therefore, in the current agricultural context, its adoption is urgently needed.

This Topic will publish papers covering any aspect of IPM in plant pathology, entomology and weed science, including the use of resistant varieties, cultural control, biological control, the development of economic thresholds and especially the use of innovative strategies in IPM. Research aiming to highlight the efficacy of IPM in practical case studies and those presenting the results of IPM programmes are especially welcomed.

Dr. Susana Pascual
Dr. Gloria Nombela
Dr. Francisco J. Beitia
Topic Editors