Answer :
Final answer:
One significant benefit of integrated pest management (IPM) over traditional pest management practices is that it focuses on managing pests rather than eradicating them. IPM relies on non-chemical measures to keep pest populations low and selects and applies pesticides in a way that minimizes adverse effects on beneficial organisms, humans, and the environment. This approach can result in more efficient pest control, lower pesticide usage, and cost savings for farmers.
Explanation:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a mix of farmer-driven, ecologically-based pest control practices that aim to reduce reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides. One significant benefit of using IPM over traditional pest management practices is that it focuses on managing pests rather than eradicating them. This means that IPM aims to keep pest populations below economically damaging levels, which can be achieved through the use of non-chemical measures such as crop rotation, habitat manipulation, and biological control methods.
By using these non-chemical measures, farmers can minimize the negative impacts on beneficial organisms, humans, and the environment. Additionally, IPM involves selecting pesticides carefully and applying them in a targeted manner to minimize adverse effects. This approach helps to protect the environment and reduce the risk of pesticide resistance.
For example, instead of blanket spraying an entire field with pesticides, IPM focuses on identifying the specific pests present and targeting them with the appropriate control methods. This can lead to more efficient pest control, lower pesticide usage, and cost savings for farmers.
