Pest resistance
This is the acquired ability of a pest population to survive exposure to pesticides that were previously effective against them.
Также говорят: pest tolerance, pesticide resistance
Resistance develops through natural selection: when the same chemical mode of action is used repeatedly, individuals with genetic mutations survive and reproduce. Over time, these resistant individuals dominate the population, rendering the pesticide ineffective.
To manage this, agronomists employ pesticide rotation by alternating products from different chemical classes. It is crucial to adhere to labeled application rates, as sub-lethal doses accelerate the survival and spread of resistant genes within the pest population.
A common mistake is relying on a single active ingredient for consecutive seasons. Furthermore, neglecting integrated pest management practices, such as crop rotation and threshold-based monitoring, significantly increases the risk of resistance development.