When a grower decides to change from conventional calendar spraying to integrated pest management, it is best to start with supervised control. This is a method to develop better decision making in crop protection.
The economic threshold
supervised control means that the grower determines the right moment to take action in the life cycle of a pest or disease based on monitoring rather than on the calendar. Such a move should take place when the 'economic threshold' is reached, i.e. when the costs of the control measures are lower than the costs of expected crop damage if no action were taken. The level of damage at which the action is taken is called 'the economic threshold'. With the help of supervised control, considerable savings can be made on the cost of chemicals.
Knowledge and experience
During the period of supervised control, growers can familiarise themselves with:
- Recognition of pests and diseases
- Assessing the economic threshold
- Monitoring and sampling techniques
- Efficacy of pesticides
- Influence of climate conditions
- Seasonal factors
Furthermore the grower can become acquainted with mechanical control, crop sanitation, and cultural practices