Integrated Pest Management Practices Research Articles

Perspective: service-based business models to incentivize the efficient use of pesticides in crop protection.

Several problems limit the productivity and acceptance of crop protection, including pesticide overuse, pesticide resistance, poor adoption of integrated pest management (IPM), declining funding for research and extension, and inefficiencies of scale. We discuss the proposition that alternative business models for crop protection can address these problems by incentivizing and benefiting from efficiency of pesticide use. Currently, business models are not linked to the adoption of IPM and are sometimes at odds with IPM practices. We explore a business model based on the provision of pest management adequacy through services rather than the sale of pesticide products. Specifically, we advocate for establishment of crop protection adequacy standards that would allow a market system to maximize efficiency. Changing some of the relationships between agricultural companies and producers from one based on products to one based on services is an idea worthy of debate and evaluation for improving the efficiency of pest management. Contemporary information technology enhancing monitoring and coordination warrants attention in this debate. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Measuring the unmeasurable? A method to quantify adoption of integrated pest management practices in temperate arable farming systems.

The impetus to adopt integrated pest management (IPM) practices has re-emerged in the last decade, mainly as a result of legislative and environmental drivers. However, a significant deficit exists in the ability to practically monitor and measure IPM adoption across arable farms; therefore, the aim of the project reported here was to establish a universal metric for quantifying adoption of IPM in temperate arable farming. This was achieved by: (i) identifying a set of key activities that contribute to IPM; (ii) weighting these in terms of their importance to the achievement of IPM using panels of expert stakeholders to create the metric (scoring system from 0 to 100 indicating level of IPM practised); (iii) surveying arable farmers in the UK and Ireland about their pest management practices; and (iv) measuring level of farmer adoption of IPM using the new metric. This new metric was found to be based on a consistent conception of IPM between countries and professional groups. The survey results showed that, although level of adoption of IPM practices varied over the sample, all farmers had adopted IPM to some extent (minimum 32.6 [corrected] points, mean score of 67.1), [corrected] but only 15 [corrected] of 225 farmers (5.8%) had adopted more than 67.1% [corrected] of what is theoretically possible, as measured by the new metric. We believe that this new metric would be a viable and cost-effective system to facilitate the benchmarking and monitoring of national IPM programmes in temperate zone countries with large-scale arable farming systems. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Fungi-based biopesticides: shelf-life preservation technologies used in commercial products

Chemical pesticides have been providing the crop protection required to help satisfy the world demand for food, feed, and fiber. Biopesticides (BPs), particularly fungi-based BPs, are a promising new alternative with high biodegradability and specificity, low likelihood of resistance development, suitability for incorporation into integrated pest management practices, and practically no known health risks. However, unsuitable mass production procedures, narrow action spectra, heterogeneous performance, and short shelf life combined with legislation registry constraints, end-user resistance, and general lack of knowledge are slowing their adoption. In addition to regulatory framework revisions and improved training initiatives, thoughtfully designed formulations, improved preservation methodologies, and field test validations are needed to offer new BPs with improved efficacy and increased shelf life. This overview compiles current and novel fungi-based BP applications for crop and animal pest control with a focus on formulation approaches aiming at retaining efficacy and improving shelf life. Innovative formulation approaches, emerging pest control technologies, and BP challenges and opportunities are also included.

Adoption and Impacts of Integrated Pest Management in Bangladesh: Evidence from Smallholder Bitter Gourd Growers

Determinants of integrated pest management (IPM) adoption, productivity and efficiency of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) growers in Bangladesh were jointly measured using propensity score matching (PSM), sample selection stochastic frontier production function (SFPF) and inverse probability weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) techniques. The significant value (P < 0.05) of the selectivity variable (ρ(w,v)) coefficient justifies the use of the sample selection SFPF. The decision to adopt IPM was positively influenced by the training and other farmers’ decisions to adopt. Mean technical efficiency (MTE) was found to be significantly higher for adopters (0.59) compared to non-adopters (0.40). The MTE analysis suggests that arranging more training sessions and making farmers more familiar with the IPM practices would improve the technical efficiency of the growers. Adoption of IPM practices significantly reduced the number pesticide applications, which imply environmental benefits from their adoption.

Factors affecting farmers’ adoption of integrated pest management in Serbia: An application of the theory of planned behavior

Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia as European Union candidate countries, have to follow EU directives that include the adoption of several agri-environmental measures for promoting cleaner agricultural practices among farmers in the years to come. This paper aims to identify the main determinants of farmers' behavioral change towards more environmentally friendly agricultural practices in Serbia. In particular, farmers' intentions to adopt integrated pest management practices have been analyzed. Integrated pest management is a farming management approach which aims to reduce pest population in a cost-effective and environmental manner. To this aim, within a mixed-method research design framework, observational data from 400 farmers have been collected through a structured questionnaire. Theory of Planned Behavior provides conceptual as well as empirical framework for the analysis. The findings provided by structural equation modeling show that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, together with farm size, explain 49% of farmers’ intentions to adopt integrated pest management practices. On the other side, farmers environmental knowledge, education level and the use of extension services do not play a significant role in integrated pest management adoption. Even if the use of a convenience sample limits the generalization of the results to the whole population, findings provide useful information and empirical insights into the development of public policies in Serbia and other Western Balkan countries. The identification of proper incentives as well are needed to enhance the adoption of more environmentally friendly agricultural practices amongst farmers, reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.

Implications of sub-lethal rates of insecticides and daily time of application on Drosophila suzukii lifecycle

The circadian clock is responsible for time keeping within an organism and influences not only behavioural patterns, but also physiological rhythms including toxin susceptibility. Drosophila suzukii Matsumura is a global horticultural pest, and identifying rhythms in insecticide susceptibility could contribute to improving integrated pest management practices. To determine whether time of application influences mortality, LC50 rates of cyantraniliprole, lambda-cyhalothrin, pyrethrum and spinosad were applied to groups of adult D. suzukii at two different times of day. Insecticides were directly applied using a benchtop sprayer. We found no influence of time on mortality or oviposition for any of the four insecticides applied. However, several discoveries were made regarding the impact of sub-lethal and lethal rates on D. suzukii mortality, oviposition and offspring survival over time. In most cases, all surviving females recovered from insecticide rates, and laid the same number of eggs as females treated with the water control. Seven days after application, females that were treated with the field rate of spinosad laid the same number of eggs as the control. The lowest rate of cyantraniliprole resulted in more eggs being laid, initially, with no negative impact on survival of eggs through to adult emergence. However, there were transgenerational impacts of egg to adult survival when parents were treated with sub-lethal rates of spinosad and lambda-cyhalothrin. Although no impact of daily phase of application was detected within this assay, the information surrounding how D. suzukii interacts with lethal and sub-lethal rates of insecticides is of great importance, especially for the resistance management of D. suzukii.

Influences of Stored Product Insect Movements on Integrated Pest Management Decisions.

Insect movement inside and outside grain bulks and processed products influences pest management decisions. Movement allows insects to find essential food resources, shelters (refuges), warmer and/or humid locations, mating and egg-laying sites, even when they are rare in fields, buildings, mills, warehouses, and inside grain masses. This review discussed the advantages and disadvantages of stored product insect movements, and the influence of insect mobility on some integrated pest management practices. Insect movement (1) results in clumped insect spatial distributions and thus makes large sample sizes necessary for monitoring; (2) makes trapping more efficient, but is influenced by many factors; (3) allows control methods to be effective, but requires pest management programs to be area-wide; (4) makes eradication of quarantine pests difficult and commodities are quickly re-infested; and (5) results in a diverse genetic pool and speeds the development of resistance to pesticides. Any element of an IPM approach should use the knowledge of insect movement. Reasons for the difficult interpretation of cryptic movement behaviours of insects were provided and future research areas were suggested.

Identification of permethrin and etofenprox cross-tolerance in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Acari: Ixodidae).

The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Latreille; Acari: Ixodidae), is a peridomestic ectoparasite of dogs and occasionally humans. In some populations, lack of integrated pest management practices and overuse of pesticides has resulted in high levels of resistance to multiple active ingredients. In this study, we established the etofenprox discriminating concentration (DC) and three additional screening concentrations to evaluate resistance status. Using mortality results, cross-resistance was investigated in brown dog tick populations from five geographically disparate regions, including Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and the Caribbean, following exposure to the DC for both etofenprox and permethrin separately. Subsequently, using both larval packet tests and molecular methods, etofenprox resistance was investigated. The etofenprox DC was set at 0.51%, which allows for the rapid screening of peridomestic brown dog tick populations for resistance to this active ingredient. Cross-tolerance to two sodium channel-inhibiting pesticides, permethrin and etofenprox, was observed in one population. Our study has provided a single etofenprox concentration that can be used in larval packet tests to determine resistance status in collected peridomestic brown dog ticks, which is particularly important when a single to a few engorged adult ticks are provided for evaluation. Although metabolic resistance is presumed to be the primary resistance mechanism, a sodium channel mutation also confers tolerance to etofenprox at the DC. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ethnological Pest Management Practices of Indigenous People (Aeta/ Negrito/Ita) in Catanuan, Quezon

In the Philippines, there are more than 110 culturally diverse ethnic tribes and communities. As clearly stated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article XIV, Section 17, the state shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights of the indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions. The Aeta, Agta or Ayta are indigenous people who live in scattered, isolated mountainous parts of Barangay San Jose (Anyao), Catanauan, Quezon. The researcher conducted an ethnological study to document the Indigenous People integrated pest management practices employing the descriptive survey method. Based on the result, 80% were still practicing the traditional way of managing the pest without harming the human and environment. The Aeta farmers leave the infected crops, manually pick burn or use smoke to eliminate the pest.Moreover, the farmers also practice crop rotation, mixed cropping, and properly manage the farm. Crop loss due to pests was one of the major problems resulting from reducing production and income. The chemical control of pests was predominant, but the Aeta farmers still practiced traditional pest control. The conventional pest control practices played a significant role in the management of agricultural land, and it was an inevitable practice for sustainable agriculture. The proper control of pests minimized economic losses and damage to the environment. Some of the respondents have insufficient skills and knowledge on the ethnological way of controlling pest and diseases using insect repellant like marigold or Amarillo, lemongrass or tanlad, oregano, and by spraying wild chili mixed with water. Based on the result, it was recommended to conduct seminars and workshops on Organic Agriculture as well as an awareness campaign on the effect of chemical fertilizer to human and environment

Laboratory and field survival of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Bt and non-Bt maize and its susceptibility to insecticides.

Field-evolved resistance of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith), has been reported to Bt maize technologies in Brazil. The control failures of FAW by Bt maize increased the use of insecticides for their control. However, no information is available on the interaction between resistant FAW and their response to insecticides. Here, we evaluated the survival of FAW strains on Bt and non-Bt maize in laboratory and field conditions, and their susceptibility to insecticides. In the laboratory, resistant FAW larvae reared on Bt and non-Bt maize showed a similar susceptibility to spinetoram (LC50 = 0.16-0.18 µg a.i. cm-2 ) and chlorfenapyr (LC50 = 0.17-0.20 µg a.i. cm-2 ). However, their susceptibility was lower than that of the susceptible strain reared on non-Bt maize: LC50 = 0.05 (spinetoram) and 0.08 (chlorfenapyr) µg a.i. cm-2 . In contrast, heterozygous strains had similar susceptibility to the susceptible strain. In field trials, no differences in FAW survival were detected between strains when the commercial dose of two insecticides was applied in Bt and non-Bt maize. FAW strains surviving on Bt and non-Bt maize, at the same development stage, have similar susceptibility to insecticides. The integrated pest management practices and insect resistance management importance of these results are discussed. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ecological niche modeling the potential geographic distribution of four Culicoides species of veterinary significance in Florida, USA.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a viral arthropod-borne disease affecting wild and domestic ruminants, caused by infection with epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV). EHDV is transmitted to vertebrate animal hosts by biting midges in the genus Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones is the only confirmed vector of EHDV in the United States but is considered rare in Florida and not sufficiently abundant to support EHDV transmission. This study used ecological niche modeling to map the potential geographical distributions and associated ecological variable space of four Culicoides species suspected of transmitting EHDV in Florida, including Culicoides insignis Lutz, Culicoides stellifer (Coquillett), Culicoides debilipalpis Hoffman and Culicoides venustus Lutz. Models were developed with the Genetic Algorithm for Rule Set Production in DesktopGARP v1.1.3 using species occurrence data from field sampling along with environmental variables from WorldClim and Trypanosomiasis and Land use in Africa. For three Culicoides species (C. insignis, C. stellifer and C. debilipalpis) 96–98% of the presence points were predicted across the Florida landscape (63.8% - 72.5%). For C. venustus, models predicted 98.00% of presence points across 27.4% of Florida. Geographic variations were detected between species. Culicoides insignis was predicted to be restricted to peninsular Florida, and in contrast, C. venustus was predicted to be primarily in north Florida and the panhandle region. Culicoides stellifer and C. debilipalpis were predicted nearly statewide. Environmental conditions also differed by species, with some species’ ranges predicted by more narrow ranges of variables than others. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was a major predictor of C. venustus and C. insignis presence. For C. stellifer, Land Surface Temperature, Middle Infrared were the most limiting predictors of presence. The limiting variables for C. debilipalpis were NDVI Bi-Annual Amplitude and NDVI Annual Amplitude at 22.5% and 28.1%, respectively. The model outputs, including maps and environmental variable range predictions generated from these experiments provide an important first pass at predicting species of veterinary importance in Florida. Because EHDV cannot exist in the environment without the vector, model outputs can be used to estimate the potential risk of disease for animal hosts across Florida. Results also provide distribution and habitat information useful for integrated pest management practices.

Drivers of farmers' intention to use integrated pest management: Integrating theory of planned behavior and norm activation model

Integrated pest management (IPM) has been promoted as an environmentally friendly pest control approach, but its adoption by farmers, particularly in developing countries, is low. The main purpose of the current study was to examine factors affecting the intention of farmers to use IPM practices in Iran. The research model was developed using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Norm Activation Model (NAM) and was empirically tested using data obtained from structured interviews with 327 tomato producers in Zanjan Province in northwestern Iran. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis indicated that all three components of attitude, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and subjective norm significantly influenced intention in the original TPB, while subjective norm had no statistically significant effect on intention in the integrative TPB-NAM. Despite this fact, subjective norm significantly impacted attitude, PBC, and personal norm in the integrative model. The study also supported the significant effect of awareness of consequences (AC) on personal norm, ascription of responsibility (AR), attitude, and subjective norm as well as the significant effect of AR on personal norm. Overall, personal norm was the most salient determinant of farmers' intention to use IPM practices in the integrative model. Most notably, integrating the constructs of TPB and NAM and particularly adding the interrelationships among the volitional, moral, and cognitive dimensions of the two models significantly enhanced the predictive power, utility, and comprehensiveness of the proposed framework for explaining farmers' intention to use IPM practices. The findings of this research provide a clearer understanding of factors driving the promotion of IPM among farming community and can be a basis for developing IPM policy interventions in Iran and other developing countries.

Advancing Use of Key Integrated Pest Management Practices in Schools

Since 2011, Oregon State University has conducted integrated pest management (IPM) training specific to public schools. School personnel receive onsite training on key IPM practices as well as associated materials. To determine which practices and materials school employees are using as a result of the program, we administered a survey to 2016 training attendees. We found that all returning attendees had been implementing practices and using materials as a result of the training. The most common practice was sealing holes to keep pests out. Additionally, the majority of respondents reported a reduction in pesticide use. Our approach may serve as a reference for Extension specialists in developing school IPM programs in other states.

Impact of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Practices on Tomato Cultivation in Gazipur District of Bangladesh

An experiment was conducted at Nagari union in Kaligonj Upazila of Gazipur district to determine the impact of Integrated Pest Management practices on tomato cultivation. Data were collected by using pre-designed interview schedule from 1st March to 5th August, 2014. The results of the study showed that in the study area farmers cultivated tomato in 14.6% of their land and there are eight IPM practices which are generally used by the farmers in their tomato fields. Regarding the overall adoption of IPM practices in tomato cultivation, 65.0% respondent farmers were in medium to high adoption category. The IPM Practice Use Index (IPUI) was found significantly higher in case of IPM adopters than in case of IPM non-adopters. But “use of pheromone trap”, “setting up the bamboo stick in the field” and “cultivation and use of green manure” were ranked as 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively in case of IPM adopters whereas “setting up bamboo stick in field”, “cultivation and using green manure” and “use quality and resistant seeds” obtained 1st, 2nd and 3rd rank, respectively in case of IPM non-adopters. The average infestation of insect and disease was found significantly lower in the fields of IPM adopter (9.7%) than IPM non-adopter (11.8%). The average frequency of chemical use in the season was also significantly lower in the fields of IPM adopter (2.14 times) than IPM non-adopter (3.44 times). The marketable yield was found significantly higher in the fields of IPM adopter (51.34 t/ha) than in the fields of IPM non-adopter (42.24 t/ha). The average gross return was also significantly higher in case of IPM adopter (526,143 taka/ha) than IPM non-adopter (472,647 taka/ha). The Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of IPM adopter (2.41) was also found significantly higher than the BCR of IPM non-adopter (1.44).

Effectiveness of Building-Wide Integrated Pest Management Programs for German Cockroach and Bed Bug in a High-Rise Apartment Building

AbstractBed bug, Cimex lectularius (L.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), and German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), infestations are commonly found in low-income housing communities and result in negative health effects and economic burden. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been shown to be an effective approach for managing these pests, yet practice of IPM in housing communities is very limited. We evaluated the effectiveness of a contractor-led bed bug IPM program and researcher-led cockroach IPM program in a high-rise apartment building for 1 yr. A second apartment building that received conventional monthly pest control service was used as control. The bed bug infestation rate decreased from 9% at 0 mo to 3% at 12 mo (63% reduction), even though the contractor only partially followed the IPM protocol; the German cockroach infestation rate decreased from 49% at 0 mo to 12% at 12 mo (75% reduction). In the control building, no monitors were installed in the infested apartments and the apartments received cursory treatment services from an existing pest control contractor. The bed bug infestation rate increased from 6% at 0 mo to 12% at 12 mo (117% increase); the German cockroach infestation rate decreased from 47% at 0 mo to 29% at 12 mo (39% reduction). IPM is a much more effective approach for building-wide control of cockroaches and bed bugs than conventional pest control service. This study confirms the benefit of building-wide IPM on pest reduction and challenges existed for carrying out IPM programs in low-income communities.

A Seminar Review on Impact of Floriculture Industries in Ethiopia

The paper is reviewed the Ethiopian floriculture industries with the objectives to explain the Socio-Economic Significance of Floriculture to Ethiopia, the Socio-economic and Environmental view of Floriculture Industries and to identify the economic implication of floriculture in Ethiopia. Ethiopia has geographical advantages for a floriculture industry, i.e. the high altitude, the vast unexploited arable land and favourable climate for flowers as well as to achieve rapid economic growth. Because of the Government of Ethiopia gave more attention for favourable investment condition and a more enabling atmosphere for private sector development that is the floriculture sector started to grow fast in the last few years that has been increasing investors to invest. Hence, the exports of flowers have generated significant amounts of foreign exchange earnings, contributed to upgrade agricultural production skills, facilitating for best experience sharing and created substantial opportunities for waged employment and self-employment especially for females. However, the expansion of the sector is implemented with environmental degradation i.e. unsafe working conditions of floriculture farm laborers associated to massive chemical usage of the industry, exposing laborers to dangerous pesticides, with failing to provide health safeguards, and with damaging the environment from over use of nature resources as well as even if it creates for many jobs but the amount of pay is not attractive that is why the economic gains is still come at a cost to worker and environmental health. Moreover, the price fluctuation is party attributed to the instability in the supply and the insignificant export volume of cut-flowers is due to the underutilized potential of the sector and the high capital and knowledge intensive nature of the sector. Therefore, the review strongly recommended that Initiate and promote by giving incentives to floriculture producers to exercise integrated pest management practices and use of environmentally friendly agro-chemicals as well as foster better awareness by providing health and safety training to the works. And more importantly, investors ensure that projects respect the rule of law, reflect industry best practice, are viable economically, and result in durable shared value.

Adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) practices by the vegetable growers at sadar upazila under Jhenaidah district

The purposes of the study were to determine the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices by the vegetable growers and to explore the relationships between the adoption of IPM practices in vegetable cultivation and the selected characteristics of the vegetable growers. Data were collected from randomly selected 101 respondents of the three selected villages of ganna union under sadar upazila of Jhenaidah district using interview schedule by the researchers during May to August, 2017. Appropriate scales were used to measure the variables of the study. Correlation test was used to explore the relationships between concerned independent and dependent variables. Majority (72.28%) of the respondents had medium annual income from vegetable cultivation. Majority (58.42%) of the respondents spent moderate time in vegetable field. About one third (36.63%) of the respondents had low knowledge on IPM practices. Majority (58.42%) of the respondents had very low organizational participation and 38.62% of the respondents had low contact with IPM club and FFS. Most (98.02%) of the respondents had low cosmopoliteness. Most (80.20%) of the respondents had low extension media exposure. About half (51.49%) of the respondents had low training exposure related to cultivation practices. Majority (63.37%) of the respondent had unfavorable attitude towards IPM practices. Majority (70.30%) of the respondents had medium level adoption in commonly used IPM practices in vegetable cultivation. Use of pesticides ranked 1st(score 295) as IPM practices compared to other environment friendly practices. Among the fourteen selected characteristics of the respondents, educational qualification, time spent in vegetable field, knowledge on IPM practices in vegetable cultivation, contact with IPM club and FFS, training exposure and attitude towards IPM practices showed positive significant relationships with the adoption of selected IPM practices by the vegetable growers.
 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(3): 366–371, December 2018

Toxicity of fine powders, filter cake and Triplex against Sitophilus zeamais adults:

Filter cake and Triplex are powdered by-products of aluminum sulfate and soap factories, respectively. There is limited data about the use of these powders as grain protectants. This study was aimed at determining contact toxicity of both powders against Sitophilus zeamais, a common pest of stored grains. Lethal concentration of both powders to S. zeamais was determined by exposing 10 adults for 12 h in 9 cm diameter concrete arenas inside Petri dishes dusted with filter cake (0 - 8 g/m2) or Triplex (0 - 9 g/m2). Lethal time was determined by exposing adults to 3 g/m2 filter cake and 9 g/m2 Triplex for 1 to 24 h. Each treatment was replicated 3 times. At the intended exposure time, adults were transferred to 150-ml round plastic containers with 30 g of wheat and held at 28 degree Celsius and 65% r.h. for 14 d to determine mortality. Adult progeny production was determined after 42 d. A 50% mortality of adults was obtained at 0.61 g/m2 of filter cake and 1.61 g/m2 of Triplex concentrations with a 12 h exposure. The corresponding effective concentrations for 50% reduction of progeny production were 0.18 g/m2 of filter cake and 2.66 g/m2 of Triplex. Lethal times for 50% mortality of adults after exposure to 3 g/m2 of filter cake and 9 g/m2 of Triplex were 4.42 and 4.29 h, respectively. The corresponding effective times for 50% reduction of progeny production after exposure to 3 g/m2 of filter cake and 9 g/m2 of Triplex were 1.74 and 2.34 h respectively. The overall result indicated that filter cake was highly toxic to S. zeamais than Triplex. Therefore, filter cake is a potential powder to be included in the integrated pest management practice in small holder farmers’ storage structures after tested under real field conditions.

Do Farmers and the Environment Benefit from Adopting Integrated Pest Management Practices? Evidence from Kenya

AbstractWe estimate the impacts of a bundle of integrated pest management (IPM) practices on mango yield, mango net income, insecticide use, human health and the environment, using recent household survey data of mango growers in Kenya. We employ a multinomial endogenous switching treatment regression model with an ordered probit selection rule to establish counterfactual outcomes. Our results indicate that IPM‐adopting farmers have higher mango yields and mango net income, and also use lower quantities of insecticide and cause less damage to the environment and to human health. In addition, switching from one IPM to multiple IPM practices generates greater economic, environmental and human health benefits. These results suggest intensification of IPM‐adoption efforts and encouragement of the use of multiple IPM practices. These positive outcomes could be achieved through greater provision of technical support and extension services to farmers.

School Factors Associated With the Implementation of Integrated Pest Management-Related Policies and Practices.

Schools are particularly vulnerable to pests, but integrated pest management (IPM) can address pest problems. This study describes IPM policies and practices and the extent to which they are associated with school characteristics. We analyzed data from the 2014 School Health Policies and Practices Study, a nationally representative survey of schools in the United States (N = 568, response rate = 69%). Pairwise comparisons assessed differences in pest prevention strategies by school characteristics. Nationwide, 55.3% of schools conducted campus-wide inspections for pests at least monthly; 35.6% of schools notified staff, students, and families prior to each application of pesticides; and 56.1% of schools required custodial or maintenance staff to receive training on pest management practices that limit the use of pesticides. During the 12 months before the study, 46.5% of schools almost always or always used spot treatments and baiting rather than widespread applications of pesticides, and 36.8% of schools almost always or always marked indoor and outdoor areas that had been treated with pesticides. No clear pattern emerged for school characteristics associated with IPM policies and practices. The variation in implementation of IPM-related policies and practices suggest opportunities for targeted education among school staff about IPM principles.