Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

An EU-wide network to support and promote solutions for alternative weed control.  

IPM NET is a new initiative which aims to improve the practical understanding and application of integrated pest management (for pests, weeds and diseases) for farmers,  and inform policy design promoting IPM strategies. 

Help us develop a smart app for the management of wheat pests

The IPM-Net Knowledge Exchange Network recently held a kick-off meeting at Nottingham Trent University Brackenhurst Campus.     The IPM NET Kick-off brought together a mixture of farmers, advisors, scientists and industry representatives to talk about the opportunities and challenges of developing an IPM knowledge exchange network.

ADAS scientists help evidence and guide crop disease management by chemical, genetic and biological approaches. Our expertise covers all areas of disease management on the major crops. We lead multi-organisation collaborative research into disease management and preventation, as well as provide strategic consultancy.  

A new Field Lab from Innovative Farmers investigating how farmers can better harness the power of flowers to fight pests.

The IPM Decisions project will create an online platform that is easy to use for the monitoring and management of pests. Access the platform now at https://platform.ipmdecisions.net/  

This Innovative Farmers Field Lab investigated defoliation as a control for cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) larval populations in oilseed rape. It worked with eight farmers to look at the potential for controlling cabbage stem flea beetle by mowing and grazing OSR crops

An EU-Wide Farm Network Demonstrating and promoting cost-effective IPM Strategies.

App and website dedicated to pest, disease & weed identification and management.

Strategic BBSRC & NERC programme with CEH & Rothamsted  - Achieving Sustainable Agricultural Systems,

Guide published by BASF and AHDB, written with ADAS & Rothamsted, providing a complete reference book for cereal diseases. 

Online guide to identifying arable weeds from ADAS, AHDB and BASF

The encyclopedia of oilseed rape diseases is a guide that was created by ADAS and BASF to help growers identify and understand diseases of OSR. As well as highlight emerging threats such as Verticillium wilt and raise awareness of other economically damaging diseases. 

Now in its 10th year, the CropTec show combines industry-leading exhibitors, the latest machinery and technology, networking and discussion opportunities as well as valuable updates on developments across the arable sector.    Tickets are free and available now by registering at www.croptecshow.com.

AHDB Guide from 2021 incorporating WRAG guidelines. Weed control is vital for high yields of good-quality crops and to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, e.g. ergot. Yet with fewer active ingredients, a need to protect water and manage herbicide resistance, the weed challenge must be managed across the rotation.

TALISMAN and SCARAB were long-term projects developed to follow on from issues raised in the Boxworth project. TALISMAN focused on the economic issues of reducing pesticide and fertiliser use, whilst SCARAB examined the ecological side-effects of pesticides.

Live webinar on IPM in Agriculture on 10th November 2022

At ADAS Boxworth, a range of Horticultural trials take place both on-site and on growers/farmers' land in order to provide unbiased scientific advice to growers and farmers aroud the UK.

This Open Access chapter describes the current status of IWM for grasslands. Its focus is on management practices available to influence transitions in a weed’s life cycle: from the soil seed bank to seedling establishment, from the seedling stage to the mature plant, and from the mature plant to the soil seed bank.

This chapter covers the definition of biostimulants, brief summary of various categories, and how they are used for promoting plant growth, building soil structure, imparting stress tolerance, and contribute to pest and disease suppression. Strategies for using biostimulants as a part of IPM and some challenges and future opportunities were also discussed.

In February 2018, ADAS, AHDB and Defra launched the Grass and herbal leys farm network. The network is a partnership between farmers, researchers and industry and provides a platform to investigate the long term impacts of leys in rotations, such as: Quantifying changes in soil organic matter and soil health from introducing temporary grass/herbal leys across a range of soil types and rainfall areas. Quantifying subsequent changes to soil organic matter and soil health following the destruction of the temporary grass/herbal leys and return to arable production. Investigating the effectiveness of grass/herbal leys in controlling blackgrass in ‘problem’ fields.

The Weed Resistance Action Group (WRAG) produces guidance on pesticide resistance issues. Hosted by AHDB, this information can be used to help protect crops and the long-term efficacy of herbicides.

A group of farmers is investigating with Harper Adams University how trap crops such as sticky and African nightshade can be used as a biological management practice.

AHDB Guide published in 2018.

AHDB webpage highlighting the national network of aphid suction traps and yellow water traps run by Rothamsted Insect Survey, supported by BBSRC. Delivering regional information on aphid species and numbers, this monitoring resource can help guide insecticide treatment decisions.

Crop modelling is a useful tool in agriculture to improve our understanding how a crop grows in interaction with all external factors, including environmental interactions and the crop management practices in place. The idea is that by modelling cropping system factors as a mathematical representation, and incorporating real past data to 'calibrate' the model,  you can then simulate various scenarios and predict the impacts of certain changes on crop growth. One example of this would be a simulation of predicted environmental conditions under various climate scenarios to predict the impacts of climate change on crop growth and yields. Whilst models are oversimplifications of reality and can never capture all the complexity of agricultural systems, modelling has been a vital tool underpinning key agricultural developments and models are constantly being developed to be more dynamic, complex and sensitive. One particular application of modelling is in weed control. This page highlights the application of modelling in weed management and introduces a case study of a weed model from a DEFRA report.       

The IPM Innovative Cycle involves inputs from four distinct yet interconnected sectors: Farmers/Agronomists, Academic Researchers, Industrial Researchers and Regulators. However practical experience suggests that there are unfortunate disconnects between these parts of cycle.  This event we will bring together participants from across the Innovation Cycle, each of whom are working towards the ultimate aim of developing novel modes of plant protection.

Integrated Pest Management: Supporting tools and evidence-based learning

Create IPM plans for your farm

As grass-weed herbicide options in oats are limited, it is especially important to use integrated pest management (IPM). Organic systems, with their focus on cultural control – use of rotation, stale seedbeds and mechanical weeding – provide valuable lessons for control in conventional crops.

We are establishing a network of farms to share knowledge and data on the application and impact of IPM strategies with the aim to better understand the effectiveness of IPM approaches on farm yield and profitability, and support sustainable, productive systems with no pesticide inputs wasted. We’ve had some initial funding from Defra to design the network, and now we are moving into a pilot phase.   

A discussion on how to make silvo-horticultual agroforestry work

Wikifarmer and Promote Pollinators have gathered 5 experts from around the world as well as top institutions, to present the importance of pollinators and Integrated Pest Management at the farm level.

Choosing practical and impactful integrated pest management (IPM) approaches and tools is essential. However, putting IPM research into practice in a commercial farm situation can be challenging.

The bruchid beetle (also known as bean seed beetle or broad bean weevil) damages the seeds of field bean and its larvae can lead to crop rejection in broad beans.

Pea and bean weevil (also called pea leaf weevil) is a particular risk to spring-sown peas and beans.

Creating Connections to Advance Integrated Pest Management We are establishing a network of farms to share knowledge and data on the application and impact of IPM strategies with the aim to better understand the effectiveness of IPM approaches on farm yield and profitability, and support sustainable, productive systems with no pesticide inputs wasted. We’ve had some initial funding from Defra to design the network, and now we are moving into a pilot phase. 

Help us to understand attitudes towards SFI schemes and IPM uptake by completing this survey. Anyone completing the survey is entitled to claim a £10 voucher.

Pea moth is one of the most damaging pea pests in this country and in Europe.

Choosing practical and impactful integrated pest management (IPM) approaches and tools is essential. However, putting IPM research into practice in a commercial farm situation can be challenging.

This guidance documents provides advice on IPM measures for pulses insect pests and diseases.

The encyclopaedia provides at-a-glance information on the pests and natural enemies associated with cropping systems.

Natural enemies, such as parasitoid species, are an important element in managing crop pests.

Agroforestry systems, where productive trees are integrated into agricultural land, can deliver benefits to biodiversity, natural pest control, and pollination.

Biofumigation involves incorporating brassicaceous cover crops into the soil.

Using the predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri can be a successful biological control solution for these sucking pests.

Wireworms are the larval stage of click beetles.

"An essential guide offering practical tips and approaches for farmers to adopt as they look for better and more sustainable ways to protect their crops."

A series of case study booklets compiled through the IPM Works project.

The introduction of natural enemies (biological controls) has become a common method for dealing with certain pests.

Healthy soils are important for the future of crop production in Europe and healthy crop rotations are a pre-requisite to maintain, improve or restore soil health. Nematodes and soil-borne pathogens are causing a threat to soil health. The decision support tools developed by the EU thematic network Best4Soil help the sustainable control of these threats.

Docks are perennial weeds that compete with forages of nutritional importance for livestock production.

The IPMWORKS e-learning modules have been prepared based on successful experiences within the project network, including technical aspects of IPM strategies, farm performance or co-innovation and method for farm hub coaching, targeting both farmers and advisers.

Our guidance covers major and minor diseases that affect wheat, barley, oats, rye and triticale. (AHDB)

Holistic IPM: Reducing Pesticide Use  

These documents are designed for use by growers and agronomists in Europe to inform them on smart technologies and methodologies available to them for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) solutions in open-field and greenhouse systems.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a holistic whole-farm approach to help mitigate the likelihood of pest, weed and disease pressure in a farming system. (Agricology)

Based on RL data and parental diversity information, use the variety blend tool to select three-way or four-way mixes for on-farm testing.

This webinar, part of an EU project, Liveseeding working on organic seed use and quality, and delivered by Bingenheimer Saatgut AG aims to explain the procedure, effects and efficiency of hot water treatments, critical points to avoid damaging seed, and equipment needed for treating seed on small and larger scales.

 ‘Management to Promote Flowering Understoreys Benefits Natural Enemy Diversity, Aphid Suppression and Income in an Agroforestry System,’

This manual provides an in-depth review of the applications of crop rotation-including improving soil quality and health, and managing pests, diseases, and weeds.

This 16-page bulletin helps producers—and the educators who work with them—use ecological principles to design farm-wide approaches to control pests.

The Fungicide Resistance Action Group (FRAG) produces guidance on pesticide resistance issues. Hosted by AHDB, this information can be used to help protect crops and the long-term efficacy of fungicides.

Because variables such as temperature and humidity have a profound effect on the activity of crop pests, diseases and natural enemies, the ability to monitor environmental conditions within a crop has always been important for crop protection.