Integrated Crop Management: the key to commercial sustainability

What is Integrated Crop Management?

'Integrated Crop Management' (ICM) is a holistic (integral) approach that takes steps to optimize crop growth while maximizing production in the short and long term.

ICM measures include optimal crop rotation, wise choice of varieties, fertilization and soil health, water management and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Use of natural enemies above and below ground

The implementation of a GIC system is quite complex and requires a long-term vision. The soil is the most important asset: keeping it healthy gives the crop more additional production. Excessive use of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals does the soil no favors and is detrimental to its valuable biodiversity.

However, Integrated Crop Management (ICM) also helps to benefit much more from surface-dwelling natural enemies. These are different species of insects that exist naturally on and around crops, including lacewings, lady beetles, hoverflies and predatory mites. These beneficial insects effectively control specific pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and thrips, among others.

business sustainability

All of these beneficial organisms can be kept alive, either by making the right choices or, if chemicals are needed, by using control products that are selective and compatible with the auxiliary fauna. This helps create a large number of natural enemies both above and below ground, which is crucial for good, high-quality yields both now and in the future. Therefore, integrated crop management is the key to sustainable and profitable agriculture.

Learn more about everything Koppert can do for the sustainability of your crop at 100% Sustainable Agriculture