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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #116703
Title: SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

Author
item RAINS, GLEN - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item Olson, Dawn
item Lewis, Wallace
item Tumlinson Iii, James

Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Pest Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/21/2000
Publication Date: 1/1/2002
Citation: Rains, G.C., Olson, D.M., Lewis, W.J., Tumlinson III, J.H. 2002. Systems management. In: Pimental, D., editor. Encyclopedia of Pest Management. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, Inc. p. 826-828.

Interpretive Summary: The therapeutic approach to killing pest organisms with toxic chemicals has been the prevailing strategy for controlling agricultural pests for over 50 years. Safety problems and ecological disruptions continue to ensue and there is a pressing need for effective alternatives. Truly satisfactory solutions to pest problems will require a shift to understanding and promoting naturally occurring biological agents and other inherent strengths, with therapeutic tactics serving strictly as backups to these natural regulators. In this report we draw on emerging knowledge about multi-trophic interactions and other findings to define such a pest management approach based on total ecosystem principles. The proposed approach can serve as a framework for a pivotal redirection of pest management activities.

Technical Abstract: There is growing consensus that a fundamental shift in pest management strategies that rely on whole-system management and promotion of sustainable principles is needed. Therapeutic-based approaches to pest management require continued use of inputs to keep pests below economic thresholds, and are not sustainable. Farmers that rely on therapeutic inputs for primary pest management create other pest control problems such as resistance, increased secondary pest populations, toxic residues from chemicals, and pest resurgence. Systems management can provide long-term sustainable pest control with minimal use of therapeutic inputs, while maintaining production and reducing cost. The foundation of such a shift involves the appreciation of the interactive webs in ecosystems whereby solutions to problems and net benefits of any action taken are determined at the ecosystem level. Pest management is primarily based on managing the inherent strengths of the system and secondarily on the use of softer interventions. The core guiding principles along with several interdependent strategies for achieving these goals are presented herein.