History, overview and principles of ecologically-based pest management.

This paper provides an overview of the history of pest (including pathogens, insects and weeds) management since 8000 BC, pesticide use and the history of integrated pest management (IPM) in developed and developing countries. The role of IPM in Green Revolution agriculture is described. The development of an ecologically-based IPM (combining biological, physical, chemical and cultural methods) is discussed, which is based on minimizing disturbances to the environment caused by agriculture, decreasing the vulnerability of plants to pests and understanding the life cycle of pests.