Implementation of IPM strategies: constraints and motivations to change farming practices

摘要

The adoption rate of integrated pest management (IPM) techniques by growers in large-scale field crops has been disappointingly low, whereas in protected crops they have gained spectacular acceptance and success (van Lenteren, 2000). Of the total growing area of cereals in Europe, only 10% is considered to be under IPM, but this proportion is even less for maize (4%) and field vegetables (5%) (van Lenteren, 1993). Data for oilseed rape (OSR) were not included in that study, but can be expected to beclose to that of cereals. Interestingly, 50-60% of European OSR growers currently consider by themselves that they practise IPM (Menzler-Hokkanen et al., 2006) - a clear contrast with the earlier data, indicating possibly a more liberal interpretation ofthe IPM concept rather than a true expansion in the adoption of IPM by growers. As OSR is a very large crop in the EU, second only to the cereals in cropping area, and because it is one of the most plant-protection intensive of the major crops, we decided in the MASTER project to analyse the European growers' attitudes to IPM, and motivations for and constraints to changing their growing practise. This we hope will help in designing improved policy measures to support government efforts to encourage IPM adoption for the crop throughout Europe.