Safeguarding production--losses in major crops and the role of crop protection
2004
Oerke, E.C. | Dehne, H.W.
It is well accepted that agricultural production must be increased considerably in the foreseeable future to meet the food and feed demands of a rising human population and increasing livestock production. Crop protection plays a key role in safeguarding crop productivity against competition from weeds, animal pests, pathogens and viruses. The loss potential of these pest groups and the actual losses--i.e. losses despite the present crop protection practices--have been estimated for wheat, rice, maize, barley, potatoes, soybeans, sugar beet and cotton for the period 1996-1998 on a regional basis for 17 regions. Among crops the loss potential of pests worldwide varied from less than 50% (on barley) to more than 80% (on sugar beet and cotton). Actual losses are estimated at 26-30% for sugar beet, barley, soybean, wheat and cotton, and 35%, 39% and 40% for maize, potatoes and rice, respectively. Overall, weeds had the highest loss potential (32%) with animal pests and pathogens being less important (18% and 15%, respectively). Although viruses cause serious problems in potatoes and sugar beets in some areas, worldwide losses due to viruses averaged 6-7% on these crops and <1-3% in other crops. The efficacy of crop protection was highest in cash crops (53-68%) and lower (43-50%) in food crops. The variation coefficient of efficacy among regions was low in cash crops (12-18%) and highest in wheat (28%). As weed control can be achieved through mechanical or chemical means, worldwide efficacy in weed control (68%) was considerably higher than the control of animal pests or diseases (39% and 32%, respectively), which relies heavily on pesticides. The intensification of crop production necessary to meet the increasing demand through enhanced productivity per unit area might be impossible without a concomitant intensification of pest control. The perspectives of integrated pest management in safeguarding crop production and preventing negative effects on the environment are discussed for developing and developed countries.
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