b'Revitalizing IPMOld Principles Addressing New ChallengesTHE REVITALIZATION OFintegrated pest man- inputs can be impediments. Of course, commodity agement (IPM) principles through contemporaryand input prices will also play a significant role in crop sustainable agriculture initiatives is an opportunityselection. But increasing rotational diversity can posi-to diversify and advance pest control strategies. Thetively impact many target areas. It can interrupt pest focus on expanded pest management tactics and newlifecycles reducing the need for intervention, optimiz-technologies will bring innovative solutions to grow- ing chemical applications, and limiting environmen-ers, while also helping to maintain the effectiveness oftal impact. Rotational diversity can support nutrient existing pest management tools. management, improve biodiversity, and overall soil Through innovation, the agricultural industry hashealth. Different crops in rotation enables the rota-delivered increasing yields and continued to feed ation of chemistries and pest resistant traits supporting BRYAN ULMER, growing population, but challenges are evolving. Theefficacy maintenance and resistance management. Ph.D. is Globallimits on land available for cultivation are being reachedDifferent crops, root structures, row spacings, planting Technical Lead atwhile at the same time over-reliance on some cropdirection can help with erosion control and overall soil Syngenta protection tools has led to resistance or regulation thathealth. The point is that like many of the decisions that may limit future utility. There is increasing emphasis ongo into IPM strategies, a practice as basic as crop rota-sustainable practices, protecting biodiversity, minimiz- tion with known potential benefits takes careful con-ing environmental impact and regenerating soils whilesideration to implement in a way that is beneficial to minimizing losses to pests, preserving yield gains andoverall farm management and the environment while expanding available pest management options.remaining profitable. In practice, IPM is a continuum, The principles of IPM were developed decades ago,programs are developed over time with experience The conceptoriginally focused on insect management and insec- and although the principles remain the same, each ticide stewardship. Today, IPM principles are beingfarm requires a unique approach. of IPM andapplied across all disciplines of farm-pest managementIn addition to current considerations, new tech-the synergiesto address these evolving challenges.nologies will support IPM to help maintain existing The principles and management strategies underly- tools and to expand the options available for growers. with othering IPM programs are shared with many of the moreContinued advancements in crop (and pest) genom-sustainabilityrecent sustainability initiatives. Resistance manage- ics with developments in data collection and analytics, ment programs to preserve crop protection solutionssupports breeding technologies that promise to deliver initiativesare essentially IPM, diversifying management tacticsimproved genetic pest tolerance, faster and more to prevent over-reliance on individual tools. Anotherefficiently. In recent years there has been significant are largelyexample is regenerative agriculture, focused on soilinvestment in biologicals research which is resulting in apparent,health and biodiversity, looking to practices such asmore cost effective, efficacious and scalable products. cover crops, rotational diversity, and the preservationNew tools are being developed for pest identification however,of beneficial organisms to reach desired outcomes; aand real time monitoring. Innovation in precision pest executionfew of the many examples of practices long discussedmanagement will bring benefits across all aspects of in IPM that are gaining renewed consideration.sustainable production.can be moreThe concept of IPM and the synergies with otherAn underlying principle of IPM is implementing a complicated.sustainability initiatives are largely apparent, however,diversity of pest management tactics to enable the execution can be more complicated. Diversifyingmost effective and least harmful pest control pro-crop rotations is a good example, simple in conceptgrams. Implementing more diverse programs helps to though there are often hurdles to implementation. Themaintain the effectiveness and availability of current4 Chester Street 50 Cleveland Ave. S.W.need for new equipment, or lack of infrastructure andtools while adopting new solutions and innovationsWinnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaR2L 2B2 New Brighton, Minnesota, USA 55112marketing opportunities, absence of local agronomicthat will support and strengthen IPM strategies of thePhone: 204.632.1000Fax: 204.632.0643 Phone: 651.636.7323Fax: 651.636.8466expertise, local availability of quality seed or specialtyfuture. SW 80/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2022 www.arrowcorp.com'