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Plant Protection and Production in Modern Society 1
Author(s) -
Brader L.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
eppo bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.327
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1365-2338
pISSN - 0250-8052
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2338.1976.tb01556.x
Subject(s) - production (economics) , pest control , agriculture , business , crop protection , limiting , pest analysis , integrated pest management , agricultural productivity , legislation , pesticide , product (mathematics) , risk analysis (engineering) , agricultural science , agroforestry , environmental science , engineering , agronomy , biology , economics , marketing , ecology , political science , mechanical engineering , geometry , macroeconomics , mathematics , law
Many currently existing agricultural production techniques have been developed in total reliance on effective chemical pest control. Today, however, it is becoming clear that chemical pest control has a number of limitations, and its ever increasing costs may well make it a limiting factor in agricultural production. This has already occurred in a number of cotton growing areas. The need for increased world food production will require improved pest control methods. If no special precautions are taken, we will undoubtedly end up in many other crops with a situation similar to that of cotton. In view of the reduced availability of new pesticides, those currently available should be used in the optimal way. At the present time, the integrated pest control approach is the best means of accomplishing this. The introduction of such programs will require official support through legislation or technical assistance. In the future, various new developments in pest control are to be expected. Greater reliance will be placed on the use of computer science. Further effort will be needed in areas such as crop loss assessment, stored product pests, technical assistance to farmers and pesticide selectivity. Closer international collaboration on plant quarantine matters and pesticide registration are essential for the future of pest control.