A new publication is providing crop protection professionals with a comprehensive overview of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles tailored to Southern African production systems.
Principles of Integrated Pest Management: A Southern African Perspective, edited by M. Karsten and J.S. Terblanche and published by CABI, brings together the expertise of researchers and practitioners from across the region. The book explores both the theory and practical application of IPM, offering insights into how different pest management tools can be combined to achieve more sustainable and effective crop protection.
Spanning 368 pages, the publication covers a broad range of topics, including:
- Cultural and physical control methods
- Behavioural control strategies
- Biological control
- Insecticide resistance management
- Ecosystem services provided by insects
- Biosecurity
- Designing and implementing IPM programmes
One chapter that may be of particular interest to growers, consultants and crop protection specialists is Chapter 6: Interference Methods, contributed by Dr Vernon Steyn of Insect Science.
The chapter examines approaches that interfere with pest behaviour and life cycles by exploiting interactions between pests and their environment. These methods can be used to reduce pest populations and form an important component of modern IPM programmes. For anyone interested in disrupting key stages of a pest's life cycle as a means of control, Chapter 6 provides an overview of the principles and applications of interference-based pest management strategies.
Rather than focusing on a single control measure, the book encourages readers to consider how cultural, biological, behavioural and chemical tools can work together within a broader IPM framework. This integrated approach is increasingly important as agriculture seeks effective pest control solutions while reducing reliance on conventional insecticides.
The publication is expected to be a valuable resource for technical consultants, agricultural agents, growers, researchers, students and others involved in crop protection across Southern Africa.
Open-access download available
The book is available as an open-access publication through the CABI Digital Library, with individual chapters available for download at no cost.
Download here: https://lnkd.in/dKSxNCvv
Publication details:
Karsten, M. & Terblanche, J.S. (eds.) (2026). Principles of Integrated Pest Management: A Southern African Perspective. CABI Publishing. 368 pp. ISBN 978-1-80062-334-7.
