The book entitled "Text Book on - Integrated Pest Management of Horticultural Crops," is thoroughly written as a text for undergraduate level courses in insect pest management . In part one of the book there are 11 chapters which present precise and reasonable comprehensive review of concepts and components of Integrated Pest Management, thus making the text an excellent coverage of the tactics and strategies used in integrated pest management (IPM). The Part Two contains 20 chapters that deal with IPM of major economic horticultural crops in India, each presenting applicable summaries of identification, nature of damage, symptoms and updated IPM measures . Colour pictures, tables, and illustrations are helpful supplements to the written text. The book culminates in Part three dedicated to students as it includes the Objective Entomology Questions with key towards preparation for Competitive examinations viz., ICAR JRF/SRF/NET/ARS/SAU exams in India.

The book has covered recent techniques on bio-intensive integrated approaches of horticultural pest’s management. An attempt to compile information on non-chemical ways of pest management strategies including agronomic approaches to physical, mechanical, biopesticides, biocontrol agents, biorational pesticides etc. which are non harmful to environment and economically viable has been made. This book is a useful reference material for organic product producing farmers, researchers and students who are involved in bio-intensive pest management strategies. Note: T& F does not sell or distribute the hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This title is co-published with NIPA.

The book is intended to provide a clear overview on the management of pests and diseases of horticulture crops, associated soil and beneficial fauna, residue status of pesticides and their estimation techniques. It is divided in four parts: Part I explain the practices followed in the pest management of horticulture crops. s include pest status of insects, mites, rodents, and diseases in fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, spices and mushrooms and their management. Different aspects of biological, cultural, and mechanical controls are also highlighted. Harmful and beneficial soil fauna associated with horticulture crops are dealt in Part II. Keeping in view the potential of beneficial organisms, the effects of pesticides on predators, parasites and pollinators have also been discussed in this section. The recent scientific developments related to residue status in vegetables, fruits and spices are provided in Part III. Part IV includes the residue estimation techniques of various pesticides.

Through ‘Green Revolution’ in late 1960s, India achieved self-sufficiency in food production, but still the country has not achieved self-sufficiency in production of horticultural crops. Most of the growth in food production during the green revolution period is attributed to the use of higher levels of fertilizers and pesticides which are continuing to destroy stable traditional ecosystems. The challenge before the crop protection scientist is to increase yields from the existing land without harming the environment and resource base. This can be achieved by adopting eco-friendly Biointensive Integrated Pest Management (BIPM) strategy. BIPM incorporates ecological and economic factors into agricultural system design and decision making, and addresses public concerns about environmental quality and food safety. The benefits of implementing BIPM can include reduced chemical input costs, reduced on-farm and off-farm environmental impacts, and more effective and sustainable pest management. An ecology-based IPM has the potential of decreasing inputs of fuel, machinery, and synthetic chemicals-all of which are energy intensive and increasingly costly in terms of financial and environmental impact. Such reductions will benefit the grower and society. The present book deals with the most recent biointensive integrated approaches for pest management utilizing components such as bioagents [predators, parasitoids and pathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses)], botanicals (biofumigation, oil cakes, FYM, compost, crop residues, green manuring and other organic amendments), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, physical methods (hot water treatment of planting material, soil solarization), cultural methods (crop rotation, summer ploughing, fallowing, intercropping, pruning, mulching, spacing, planting date, trap cropping, etc.), biorational chemicals (pheromones) and resistant cultivars. This book can serve as a useful reference to policy makers, research and extension workers, practicing farmers and students. The material can also be used for teaching post-graduate courses.