Resistance Management

Resistance is a basic survival mechanism and occurs through natural selection. When a pest control method is used, a small proportion of the pest population may survive due to their distinct genetic makeup. These individual organisms pass along the genes for resistance to the next generations so that resistance accumulates over time in a given population. All farmers are challenged with the simple fact that every pest control method has a limited life span because pests naturally evolve and become resistant. Resistance to pest control tools has been documented across all crop production systems, from organic to conventional to biotech. However, this can be delayed or avoided with proper resistance management approaches.

It is essential that farmers know how and when to use methods that control the pests while also reducing the possibility that these pests could become resistant to the techniques employed – notably the use of fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and rodenticides. The prevention or delaying of resistance to a certain pesticide renders the product useful for a longer period and thus hampering yield losses and safeguarding farmers revenue stream.

The key steps to evade resistance emergence while using crop protection products include among others:

1. Implement crop rotation

2. Select pest resistant crop genotypes

3. Follow label instructions precisely

4. Alternate the mode of action of the chosen pesticides

For more information related to resistance management, follow the four resistance action committees (RACs). You can also download their app.

CropLife has made available some basic fact sheets about resistance management in general, as well as fungicide, herbicide, and insecticide resistance.

See below for further informational content on resistance management.