INTEGRATION IN ORCHARD PEST AND HABITAT MANAGEMENT - A REVIEW

Manipulating the composition of groundcover within orchards and vegetation adjacent to orchards might enhance biological control of orchard arthropod pests. It can also generate effects that may be counter-productive to the overall goals of integrated orchard pest management. Measuring progress toward achieving integration of orchard pest management practices can be viewed as analogous to climbing a step ladder. The first step (equivalent to first-level integrated pest management (IPM)) entails the use of ecologically sound multiple management tactics for a single class of pests (either arthropods, diseases, weeds or vertebrates). The second step (second-lever IPM) involves integration of multiple management practices across all classes of pests. The third step (third-revel IPM) calls for integration of combined pest management approaches with the entice system of crop production. The fourth and top step of the ladder (fourth-level IPM) envisions blending the concerns of all those having a vital interest in pest management: researchers, extension personnel, private consultants, industry, growers, processors and distributors, consumers, neighbors of growers, environmentalists and government regulatory agencies. The probability is high that manipulating orchard groundcover and surrounding vegetation will affect the outcome of strategies and tactics at each of these four levels of integration of pest management practices. Here, examples are given of potential merits and possible shortcomings of orchard habitat manipulation at each level of integration.