Review and guidance for integrated management of economically significant weeds, pests and diseases in a range of horticultural and other edible field crops

Abstract

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is widely used to reduce chemical inputs for pest, disease and weed control in many horticultural and arable crops. Strategies include cultural control techniques, monitoring and forecasting methods and the use of bioprotectants (invertebrate biocontrols, semiochemicals, microbials and natural substances). This review highlighted key non-chemical methods that growers are currently using but could be more widely adopted, such as decision support tools and cultural control methods including variety choice and crop hygiene. In addition, the review identified a wide range of crop and pest specific approaches that with further development, may also provide alternative and sustainable solutions. The review identified where more knowledge exchange is needed to facilitate adoption of effective practices and where further research is needed to further understand and develop new strategies.