Question

IPM is an ecological approach for

• A. Crop production
• B. Pollution control
• C. Pest control
• D. Water conservation

Hint:

IPM does not aim to eradicate pests completely. Instead, it seeks to manage their populations below an Economic Injury Level (EIL), preserving beneficial insects and maintaining a healthy, balanced agricultural ecosystem.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Deciphering the Acronym:
IPM stands for Integrated Pest Management. It is an ecosystem-based, sustainable strategy that focuses on the long-term prevention and control of pests and agricultural damage.

Step 2: Core Philosophy of IPM:
Instead of relying heavily and blindly on chemical pesticides, IPM combines multiple compatible control methods to minimize pest populations while reducing risks to human health, beneficial insects, and the environment. These methods include:

• Cultural Controls: Selecting pest-resistant crop varieties, rotating crops, and maintaining healthy soil.
• Mechanical/Physical Controls: Using physical barriers, traps, or hand-picking to remove pests.
• Biological Controls: Introducing natural predators or parasites (such as ladybugs to control aphids) to manage pest populations naturally.
• Chemical Controls: Using synthetic pesticides only as a last resort, applying them selectively and in minimal quantities to minimize environmental impact.

Step 3: Conclusion:
Since IPM is designed for eco-friendly pest management, option (C) is the correct answer.