Dissemination and impact of IPM programs in US agriculture

Abstract

The influence of historical farming practices, successful insect biological control programs, pest-resistant cultivars, and the benefits/risks associated with pesticide use shaped the development of IPM programs in the US during the 20th century. Recently, in several cropping systems, development of pest management programs that focus on deployment of transgenic crops have altered those based on pest ecology. Current IPM programs in the US are delivered to stakeholders through a network of private and public organizations, often with federal oversight dictated by national initiatives and funding programs. The impacts of these IPM programs vary among cropping systems and are often defined by specific management goals. In this chapter we review available information on US corn, wheat and cotton IPM programs, and discuss dissemination approaches, adoption trends among stakeholders, and the impact on production agriculture.