b'GIANT VIEWSBY: BRYAN ULMERREVITALIZING IPMOLD PRINCIPLES ADDRESSING NEW CHALLENGESthat considers all farming practicesand overall soil health. The point is that to discourage the development of eco- like many of the decisions that go into nomically damaging pest populations,IPM strategies, a practice as basic as crop managing pests as opposed to eliminat- rotation with known potential benefits ing them after a problem has occurred.takes careful consideration to implement When intervention is required, all controlin a way that is beneficial to overall farm alternatives are considered with regardmanagement and the environment while to efficacy and minimizing risk to humanremaining profitable. In practice, IPM is a health and the environment.continuum, programs are developed over The principles and management strat- time with experience and although the egies underlying IPM programs are sharedprinciples remain the same, each farm with many of the more recent sustainabil- requires a unique approach. All growers ity initiatives. Resistance managementare practicing some IPM principles, but programs to preserve crop protectionthe level of integration and the areas for solutions (genetic traits and chemicalimprovement can differ greatly on indi-controls) are essentially IPM, diversifyingvidual farms. Bryan Ulmer management tactics to prevent over-reli- In addition to current considera-ance on individual tools. Another exam- tions, new technologies will support IPM T he revitalization of integrated pestple is Regenerative Agriculture, focusedto help maintain existing tools and to management (IPM) principleson soil health and biodiversity, looking toexpand the options available for grow-through contemporary sustaina- practices such as cover crops, rotationalers. Continued advancements in crop ble agriculture initiatives is an opportu- diversity, and the preservation of benefi- (and pest) genomics with developments nity to diversify and advance pest controlcial organisms to reach desired outcomes;in data collection and analytics, supports strategies. The focus on expanded pesta few of the many examples of practicesbreeding technologies that promise to management tactics and new technol- long discussed in IPM that are gainingdeliver improved genetic pest tolerance, ogies will bring innovative solutions torenewed consideration.faster and more efficiently. In recent years growers, while also helping to maintainThe concept of IPM and the syner- there has been significant investment in the effectiveness of existing pest manage- gies with other sustainability initiativesbiologicals research which is resulting ment tools. are largely apparent, however, executionin more cost effective, efficacious, and Through innovation (breeding, cropcan be more complicated. Diversifyingscalable products. Digital agriculture protection, fertility, and machinery)crop rotations is a good example, simpleand rapid advancements in data manage-the agricultural industry has deliveredin concept though there are often hur- ment and crop imagery will also support increasing yields and continued to feeddles to implementation. The need forIPM. New tools are being developed for an ever-growing population, but chal- new equipment, or lack of infrastructurepest identification and real time monitor-lenges are evolving. The limits on landand marketing opportunities, absence ofing. Modeling and forecasting to predict available for cultivation are being reachedlocal agronomic expertise, local availabil- pest infestations based on environmen-while at the same time over-reliance onity of quality seed or specialty inputs cantal conditions and crop development will some crop protection tools has led tobe impediments. Of course, commodityenable more precise and effective timing resistance or regulation that may limitand input prices will also play a signifi- for controls. Innovation in precision pest future utility. There is increasing empha- cant role in crop selection. But increas- management will bring benefits across all sis on sustainable practices, protectinging rotational diversity can positivelyaspects of sustainable production.biodiversity, minimizing environmen- impact many target areas. It can inter- An underlying principle of IPM is tal impact, and regenerating soils whilerupt pest lifecycles reducing the needimplementing a diversity of pest manage-minimizing losses to pests, preservingfor intervention, optimizing chemicalment tactics to enable the most effective yield gains, and expanding available pestapplications, and limiting environmentaland least harmful pest control programs. management options. All while improvingimpact. Rotational diversity can supportImplementing more diverse programs profitability and quality of life for farmers.nutrient management, improve biodi- helps to maintain the effectiveness and The principles of IPM were devel- versity, and overall soil health. Differentavailability of current tools while adopt-oped decades ago, originally focused oncrops in rotation enables the rotationing new solutions and innovations that insect management and insecticide stew- of chemistries and pest resistant traitswill support and strengthen IPM strate-ardship. Today, IPM principles are beingsupporting efficacy maintenance andgies of the future.applied across all disciplines of farm-pestresistance management. Different crops, management to address these evolvingroot structures, row spacings, plantingEditors Note: Bryan Ulmer, Ph.D. is challenges. IPM is a holistic approachdirection can help with erosion controlGlobal Technical Lead at Syngenta48IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'