Biological Pathways to Improve Pest Control in Agriculture

Biological Pathways to Improve Pest Control in Agriculture
Author: Manika Gupta
Publisher: Anchor Academic Publishing
Total Pages: 393
Release: 2017-11-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 396067189X

India is especially suitable for agricultural products, its vast plains containing alluvial soil with rich natural contents. The major economy of India is based on agricultural products. The green revolution in India brought high hopes for Indian farmers. Several new scientific information helped crop production to grow by leaps and bounds: the more researches, the more intricacies. Further knowledge of pests makes scientists consider several new solutions. The use of chemicals was immediately adopted to decimate the population of pests and, at first, good results were obtained. But later on, harmful effects of the pesticides became known. It was realized later on that the regular use of chemicals in pesticides is extremely dangerous for human health. Generally, chemical pesticides are used to curb the harmful effects of insects and pests. But the immediate gain of this process has an adverse effect on the environment in the long run. Regular use of chemicals leads to insecticide resistance. Then, biodiversity is distributed by pest resurgence and pesticide residues. So, the immediate gain of one generation creates serious problems for the next generation. To sustain agriculture towards its natural mode some new solutions are to be traced. The solution to reduce pesticides is present in the preference for biological management. Predators and parasitoids may be used as natural enemies. In order to gain control over the thrips pests by less harmful means for the agricultural crops, more research work needs to be done. Certain other methods have to be explored in favour of the environment, biodiversity and other useful flora and fauna. We need to maintain the tritrophic interactions in which eating relationships between several species may be traced for biological control.

Ecofriendly Pest Management for Food Security

Ecofriendly Pest Management for Food Security
Author: Omkar Ph.D.
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 764
Release: 2016-02-03
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0128032669

Ecofriendly Pest Management for Food Security explores the broad range of opportunity and challenges afforded by Integrated Pest Management systems. The book focuses on the insect resistance that has developed as a result of pest control chemicals, and how new methods of environmentally complementary pest control can be used to suppress harmful organisms while protecting the soil, plants, and air around them. As the world's population continues its rapid increase, this book addresses the production of cereals, vegetables, fruits, and other foods and their subsequent demand increase. Traditional means of food crop production face proven limitations and increasing research is turning to alternative means of crop growth and protection. - Addresses environmentally focused pest control with specific attention to its role in food security and sustainability. - Includes a range of pest management methods, from natural enemies to biomolecules. - Written by experts with extensive real-world experience.

Biological Pathways to Improve Pest Control in Agriculture

Biological Pathways to Improve Pest Control in Agriculture
Author: Manika Gupta
Publisher: Anchor Academic Publishing
Total Pages: 388
Release: 2017-09-19
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3960676891

India is especially suitable for agricultural products, its vast plains containing alluvial soil with rich natural contents. The major economy of India is based on agricultural products. The green revolution in India brought high hopes for Indian farmers. Several new scientific information helped crop production to grow by leaps and bounds: the more researches, the more intricacies. Further knowledge of pests makes scientists consider several new solutions. The use of chemicals was immediately adopted to decimate the population of pests and, at first, good results were obtained. But later on, harmful effects of the pesticides became known. It was realized later on that the regular use of chemicals in pesticides is extremely dangerous for human health. Generally, chemical pesticides are used to curb the harmful effects of insects and pests. But the immediate gain of this process has an adverse effect on the environment in the long run. Regular use of chemicals leads to insecticide resistance. Then, biodiversity is distributed by pest resurgence and pesticide residues. So, the immediate gain of one generation creates serious problems for the next generation. To sustain agriculture towards its natural mode some new solutions are to be traced. The solution to reduce pesticides is present in the preference for biological management. Predators and parasitoids may be used as natural enemies. In order to gain control over the thrips pests by less harmful means for the agricultural crops, more research work needs to be done. Certain other methods have to be explored in favour of the environment, biodiversity and other useful flora and fauna. We need to maintain the tritrophic interactions in which eating relationships between several species may be traced for biological control.

The Future Role of Pesticides in US Agriculture

The Future Role of Pesticides in US Agriculture
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 325
Release: 2000-11-02
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309172942

Although chemical pesticides safeguard crops and improve farm productivity, they are increasingly feared for their potentially dangerous residues and their effects on ecosystems. The Future Role of Pesticides explores the role of chemical pesticides in the decade ahead and identifies the most promising opportunities for increasing the benefits and reducing the risks of pesticide use. The committee recommends R&D, program, and policy initiatives for federal agriculture authorities and other stakeholders in the public and private sectors. This book presents clear overviews of key factors in chemical pesticide use, including: Advances in genetic engineering not only of pest-resistant crops but also of pests themselves. Problems in pesticide useâ€"concerns about the health of agricultural workers, the ability of pests to develop resistance, issues of public perception, and more. Impending shifts in agricultureâ€"globalization of the economy, biological "invasions" of organisms, rising sensitivity toward cross-border environmental issues, and other trends. With a model and working examples, this book offers guidance on how to assess various pest control strategies available to today's agriculturist.

New Directions for Biosciences Research in Agriculture

New Directions for Biosciences Research in Agriculture
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 136
Release: 1985-01-01
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309035422

Authored by an integrated committee of plant and animal scientists, this review of newer molecular genetic techniques and traditional research methods is presented as a compilation of high-reward opportunities for agricultural research. Directed to the Agricultural Research Service and the agricultural research community at large, the volume discusses biosciences research in genetic engineering, animal science, plant science, and plant diseases and insect pests. An optimal climate for productive research is discussed.

Integrated Pest Management for Crops and Pastures

Integrated Pest Management for Crops and Pastures
Author: Paul Horne
Publisher: Landlinks Press
Total Pages: 136
Release: 2008-02-04
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 064309914X

Integrated Pest Management for Crops and Pastures describes in straightforward language what is required for farmers to successfully implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in cropping and grazing operations. It explains the differences between conventional pesticide-based controls and IPM, and demonstrates the advantages of IPM. Effective control of pests depends on a number of approaches, not just chemical or genetic engineering. The opening chapters cover the different approaches to pest management, and the importance of identification and monitoring of pests and beneficials. Most farmers and advisors can identify major pests but would struggle to recognise a range of beneficial species. Without this information it is impossible to make appropriate decisions on which control methods to use, especially where pests are resistant to insecticides. The book goes on to deal with the control methods: biological, cultural and chemical. The biological control agents discussed include both native and introduced species that attack pests. Cultural changes that have led to an increase in the incidence or severity of pest attack are also examined. The chapter on chemical control describes the different ways chemicals can affect beneficial species, also detailing acute, sub-lethal and transient toxicities of pesticides, drawing on examples from horticulture where necessary. Finally, the authors bring all the components of integrated pest management together and show farmers how to put their IPM plan into action.

Conservation Biological Control

Conservation Biological Control
Author: Pedro A. Barbosa
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 420
Release: 1998-06-26
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 0080529801

This volume is a comprehensive treatment of how the principles of ecology and conservation biology can be used to maximize biological control. Conservation Biological Control presents various means to modify or manipulate the environment to enhance the activities of natural enemies of pests. It establishes a conceptual link between ecology and the agricultural use of agents for biological control, and discusses both theoretical issues as well as practical management concerns. Certain to be interesting to ecologists and entomologists, this volume will also appeal to scientists, faculty, researchers and students interested in pest management, horticulture, plant sciences, and agriculture. - Contains chapters by an international team of leading authorities - Establishes a conceptual link between ecology and the agricultural use of agents for biological control - Discusses both theoretical issues as well as practical management concerns - Provides specific examples of how conservation principles are used to maximize the biological control of pests

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management
Author: D. P. Abrol
Publisher: CABI
Total Pages: 512
Release: 2012
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1845938089

Providing a critical evaluation of the management strategies involved in ecologically-based pest management, this book presents a balanced overview of environmentally safe and ecologically sound approaches. Topics covered include biological control with fungi and viruses, conservation of natural predators, use of botanicals and how effective pest management can help promote food security. In the broader context of agriculture, sustainability and environmental protection, the book provides a multidisciplinary and multinational perspective on integrated pest management useful to researchers in entomology, crop protection, environmental sciences and pest management.

Herbivores: Their Interactions with Secondary Plant Metabolites

Herbivores: Their Interactions with Secondary Plant Metabolites
Author:
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 506
Release: 2012-12-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0080925456

This volume presents the latest research on herbivores, aquatic and terrestrial mammals and insects. The Second Edition, written almost entirely by new authors, effectively complements the initial work. It includes advances in molecular biology and microbiology, ecology, and evolutionary theory that have been achieved since the first edition was published in 1979. The book also incorporates relatively new methodologies in the area of molecular biology, like protein purification and gene cloning. Volume II, Ecological and Evolutionary Processes, also opens up entirely new subjects: The discussions of interactions have expanded to include phenomena at higher trophic levels, such as predation and microbial processing and other environmental influences. Both this and Volume I, The Chemical Participants, will be of interest to chemists, biochemists, plant and insect ecologists, evolutionary biologists, physiologists, entomologists, and agroecologists interested in both crop and animal science. - Presents coevolution of herbivores and host plants - Examines resource availability and its effects on secondary metabolism and herbivores - Studies physiology and biochemistry of adaptation to hosts - Includes tri-trophic interactions involving predators and microbes

Environmental Pest Management

Environmental Pest Management
Author: Moshe Coll
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 562
Release: 2017-07-27
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1119255597

A wide-ranging, interdisciplinary exploration of key topics that interrelate pest management, public health and the environment This book takes a unique, multidimensional approach to addressing the complex issues surrounding pest management activities and their impacts on the environment and human health, and environmental effects on plant protection practices. It features contributions by a distinguished group of authors from ten countries, representing an array of disciplines. They include plant protection scientists and officers, economists, agronomists, ecologists, environmental and public health scientists and government policymakers. Over the course of eighteen chapters, those experts share their insights into and analyses of an array of issues of vital concern to everyone with a professional interest in this important subject. The adverse effects of pest control have become a subject of great concern worldwide, and researchers and enlightened policymakers have at last begun to appreciate the impact of environmental factors on our ability to manage pest populations. Moreover, while issues such as pesticide toxicity have dominated the global conversation about pest management, economic and societal considerations have been largely neglected. Environmental Pest Management: Challenges for Agronomists, Ecologists, Economists and Policymakers is the first work to provide in-depth coverage of all of these pressing issues between the covers of one book. Offers a unique multi-dimensional perspective on the complex issues surrounding pest management activities and their effect on the environment and human health Addresses growing concerns about specific pest management strategies, including the use of transgenic crops and biological controls Analyses the influence of global processes, such as climate change, biological invasions and shifts in consumer demand, and ecosystem services and disservices on pest suppression efforts Explores public health concerns regarding biodiversity, pesticide use and food safety Identifies key economic drivers of pest suppression research, strategies and technologies Proposes new regulatory approaches to create sustainable and viable crop protection systems in the framework of agro-environmental schemes Offering a timely and comprehensively-unique treatment of pest management and its environmental impacts in a single, inter-disciplinary volume, this book is a valuable resource for scientists in an array of disciplines, as well as government officials and policymakers. Also, teachers of undergraduate and graduate level courses in a variety of fields are sure to find it a highly useful teaching resource.