*Insect Pest Management in Organic Farming System DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84483*

*Multifunctionality and Impacts of Organic and Conventional Agriculture*

**Pest Time of appearance Possible control measures**

March–April September–October

enemies, and they are more effective in the prevention of outbreaks of date palm borer pests [15]. The growing of hedgerows, strip crops, and windbreaks provides suitable habitats and source of pollen and nectar for beneficial organisms [3, 16]. Provision of nesting boxes for owls in date palm groves has a noticeable reduction in the population of field rats [27]. In addition to the abovementioned measures to conserve natural enemies, repeated release of purchased predators and parasitoids can maintain their numbers, which cause substantial reduction in pest populations. In this context, Ali and Hama [33] reported that the release of *Trichogramma* sp. twice a year at a rate of 300–500 individuals/palm contributed significantly in the

*Calendar of major pests and diseases in organically grown date palms and their management in the Gulf region.*

Fruit rots June–July Bunch covering and avoidance of fruit injuries by insects and birds Birds July–October Covering of bunches during Khalal stage with bird-proof nets Pests of stored dates September–November Bunch bagging to exclude pests that start infestation in the

freezing dates at −18°C

Pruning of infested lower fronds to remove Dubas eggs, spraying with azadirachtin (2–3 ml/per liter of water), application of agricultural soaps, biological control with fungi such as *Beauveria* and the egg parasitoid *Oligosita* sp.

field, sanitation and disinfestation storehouses before use,

The major date palm pests and diseases prevailing in organic date palm plantation, which cause economic damage, are listed in **Table 3**, with possible measures to

**7. Impact of pest management in organic farming on the environment**

As mentioned earlier in this chapter, pest management in organic farming depends mainly on crop husbandry and biological control. The prohibition of

synthetic fertilizers and pesticides leads to conservation of natural enemies including predators and parasitoids. The absence of harmful pesticides also increases diversity of pollinators of crops and minimizes pesticide residues in food products [13, 16, 19]. The community of microorganisms flourishes well in organically managed farms leading to increased organic matter decomposition, soil fertility, and sustainability of the ecosystem. Organic farming enhances the biodiversity of the ecosystem through multicropping and growing of hedges and refuges for beneficial insects as well as wildlife [3]. Preserving biodiversity contributes much in reducing the initial invasion and subsequent establishment of organic farms by pests and diseases [3, 8, 9, 44].

Crop protection in organic farming is more preventive than curative. Thus, husbandry practices such as crop rotation, fertilization, cultivation, use of resistant

integrated management of the lesser date moth, *C. cautella*.

**152**

**8. Conclusions**

**6.5 Synopsis**

**Table 3.**

Date palm Dubas bug (*Ommatissus lybicus*)

control them.

varieties, and preservation of natural enemies play an essential role in pest management. Plant protection products (PPPs) permitted in organic farming should only be used when cultural and biological controls fail to suppress pest populations below economic damage levels. Floral and faunal diversities represent the cornerstone in the strategy of managing pests and diseases under organic production system. Crop protection program in organic farming needs to be documented to allow inspectors to file their reports, which are essential for the certification process. The documents needed are a well-written plan, copies of scouting records and protocols used in monitoring of different pests, and provision of pest management guidelines, according to the organic standards, if available. For optimizing pest management tactics in organic farming, future research priorities and recommendations would include:

