Parsimonious Use of Pesticide-Treated Seeds: An Integrated Pest Management Framework

Abstract

Pesticide-treated seeds are usually supplied in 'default' packages that leave farmers little choice for tailor-made management of soil-borne pests and pathogens. This has led to a socioeconomic impasse thereby questioning the sustainability of planting pesticide-treated seeds. Here the author proposes an integrated pest management framework to overcome the current impasse.

Keywords: crop establishment; seed germination; seed treatment; seedling emergence; soil biodiversity; sustainable agriculture.