Future of peanut pest management: A plant pathologist's perspective.

Abstract

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a broad-based approach for pest control that has been used since the 1950s. This approach uses a variety of management tactics to keep pest levels below an economic threshold level. However, choosing the appropriate tactics in a timely manner can be difficult in many agricultural production systems. Technology is continually revolutionizing agricultural decision making by transforming large quantities of data into useful and timely information. The focus of this article will be on what makes a successful IPM strategy, and how novel technologies can possibly be incorporated. Pests impacting peanut production are continually adapting and evolving, thus the tools used to manage them must also have this capability. The future of pest management lies with finding ways to incorporate novel information into established IPM programs and adapting them for future changes in pest populations.