Chemical Pest Control Technology: Benefits, Disadvantages, and Continuing Roles in Crop Production Systems

摘要

In the U.S., certified organic agriculture has been clearly demarcated from conventional agriculture by regulatory rules under the National Organic Program. However, neither organic nor conventional agriculture has a clear scientific definition. Froma public perspective, organic agriculture is often defined simplistically and contrasted with conventional agriculture by the non-use of pesticides. Furthermore, organic agriculture is often viewed as the epitome of sustainability. In reality, sustainable practices are not well defined because systems are dynamic and practices must be constantly adapting within the context of changing biotic and abiotic characteristics of a field or landscape. Sustainability is a concept best viewed as a goal of all growers, whether they associate themselves with the terms organic or conventional. Also, practices deployed by organic growers for pest control are increasingly practiced by conventional growers. Examples include the use of crop rotation for controlling soil borne pests (such as the corn rootworms, nematodes, and fungal diseases) and the use of pheromones for mating disruption of moths, especially in tree fruit. Pheromones are but one type of pesticide registered by the EPA and approved for use in certified organic agriculture. Others include certain formulations of spinosad and azadirachtin and certain microbial pesticides based on non-genetically engineered cultures of Bacillus thuringiensis among other species. Considering that many agrichemical companies are now trying to develop and market EPA-approved reduced risk pesticides, a convergence in techniques may be taking place among all types of growers as they seek to manage the same problems consistent with a desire for environmental stewardship. Rather than further differentiate between organic and so-called conventional practices, this chapter seeks to understand common reasons for why growers use pesticides, the advantages and disadvantages of pesticides, and the continuing role of pesticides incrop protection regardless of agronomic practices. Over reliance on singular techniques in any agronomic system may lead to their eventual failure. To be sustainable, pest control must be conducted using the principles of integrated pest management (IPM)as a decision support system. The IPM strategy is based on a confluence of biological and economic information and is implemented by integrating multiple compatible control tactics.