Organic Pest and Disease Management
Description
In this lesson, we discuss the central role of a diverse agroecosystem for organic pest and disease management.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the importance of a healthy agroecosystem for organic pest and disease control
Content Notes
Organic Pest and Disease Management
Organic Pest Management
No single solution exists for pest control in organic farming. Instead, use a combination of smaller, effective strategies.
Understanding Agroecosystems
A farm is an agroecosystem, a complex organism with various components, including crops, biodiversity, and pest populations. Effective pest management relies on understanding the ecological balance between crops and pests. Organic production emphasizes practices that enhance biodiversity and ecological cycles while minimizing off-farm inputs.
- Management Focus: The goal is to manage pests and diseases to tolerable levels, not to eliminate them completely.
- Enhancing Biodiversity: Promote diverse habitats that support beneficial organisms (e.g., predatory insects, birds) by incorporating buffer strips, diverse plantings and beetle banks.
Dig Deeper
Insect Management on Organic Farms - https://cefs.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/insectmgmtfinaljan09.pdf?x77888
Sources and References
Gold, Mary V. Organic Production/Organic Food: Information Access Tools. USDA National Agriculture Library, U.S. Department of Agriculture, June 2007, https://www.nal.usda.gov/legacy/afsic/organic-productionorganic-food-information-access-tools