In order to maximize food production, it is advantageous to protect crops from competing species of plants, as well as from herbivores competing with humans. The conventional approach was probably the first to be employed, since it is comparatively easy to destroy weeds by burning them or plowing them under, and to kill larger competing herbivores, such as crows and other birds eating seeds. Techniques such as crop rotation, companion planting (also known as intercropping or mixed cropping), and the selective breeding of pest-resistant cultivars have a long history. In the UK, following concern about animal welfare, humane pest control and deterrence is gaining ground through the use of animal psychology rather than destruction. The present book gives a systematic account of various tactics used for management of major insect-pests of principal agricultural crops of India. In addition to providing background information for IPM, the book discusses in detail the progress and problems in utilization of cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical control in management of insect pests in changing agricultural scenario.
