Problem identification and knowledge acquisition for the solution of pest problems:a suggestion for a comprehensive approach

摘要

The reduction of pre-and post-harvest yield losses due to pest attack represents a substantial contribution to the increase in food supply which will be absolutely essential in future. Not only must more food be produced but, in addition, this must be accomplished in an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable manner in a broader concept of food security improvement and poverty alleviation. Integrated pest management can play a key role in this process. Firstly, constraints and anticipated global food production requirement are presented in an overview. This is followed by a discussion of the various knowledge acquisition techniques for identifying and eliminating knowledge gaps with a view to solving pest problems in a systematic manner. It is concluded that the development of better integrated approaches based on an expanding theoretical, methodological and empirical basis will produce solutions which are more effective, sustainable and competitive compared with the currently prevailing procedures for pest problem solution.