How can an understanding of the "mortality factor" lead to a successful biological control of pests in agriculture & horticulture?

Check these sites.

http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:taS99s4LDW0J:cals.arizona.edu/crop/cotton/insects/wf/horticultura0204.html+mortality+factor+insects&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&ie=UTF-8

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Understanding the "mortality factor" can indeed be crucial for implementing successful biological control of pests in agriculture and horticulture. The mortality factor refers to the various factors that contribute to the natural mortality of pests, such as predation, parasitism, disease, and environmental conditions. By understanding these factors, farmers and horticulturists can incorporate them into their pest management strategies to control pest populations effectively.

The link provided is not accessible, but I can still explain how an understanding of the mortality factor can lead to successful biological control. Here are the key points:

1. Identify natural enemies: Understanding the mortality factor helps identify the natural enemies of pests. By studying the factors that contribute to pest mortality, farmers can identify the specific predators, parasitoids, or pathogens that naturally control pest populations. This knowledge allows them to introduce or enhance the presence of these natural enemies in their fields.

2. Conservation and augmentation of natural enemies: Once the natural enemies are identified, farmers can employ practices to conserve and augment their populations. This may include creating habitat structures, providing food sources, or avoiding excessive pesticide use that harms beneficial organisms. By increasing the populations of natural enemies, pests can be controlled more effectively.

3. Timing of control measures: Understanding the mortality factor helps determine the appropriate timing for implementing control measures. For example, if a particular pest is highly susceptible to a specific pathogen during a certain stage of its life cycle, control measures can be timed to target that susceptible stage more effectively. This minimizes the pest population and reduces the need for chemical insecticides.

4. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach: The mortality factor is a key component of an IPM approach. IPM is a holistic pest management strategy that uses a combination of different control tactics to minimize pest damage while reducing the impact on the environment. By understanding the mortality factor, farmers can integrate biological control methods with other approaches such as cultural practices, mechanical controls, and judicious use of pesticides.

In summary, understanding the mortality factor is essential for implementing successful biological control of pests in agriculture and horticulture. It helps identify natural enemies, conserve and enhance their populations, determine the timing of control measures, and integrate various pest management tactics effectively.