Which strategy is least likely to be part of an IPM program?

An effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program embraces a holistic approach that combines various pest control strategies to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and minimize environmental impact. One of the key tenets of IPM is to utilize a mix of cultural, biological, and monitoring techniques to manage pests sustainably.

The strategy that is least likely to be incorporated into an IPM program is the exclusive reliance on chemical pesticides. This approach conflicts with the fundamental principles of IPM, which advocates for a balanced integration of different methods. Solely depending on chemical pesticides can lead to issues such as pest resistance, disruption of beneficial organisms, and negative effects on human health and the environment.

In contrast, cultural control involves practices that improve the health of crops and suppress pest populations through proper management, such as crop rotation and soil health management. Biological control uses natural predators or pathogens to manage pest populations. Monitoring techniques are crucial for identifying pest presence and determining the need for interventions, which is a central aspect of decision-making in IPM.