Chapter 13: Problem 8

Define the term economic threshold as it relates to pest control. What are cosmetic spraying and insurance spraying?

Short Answer

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The economic threshold is the point where the cost of pest control equals the economic damage caused by pests. Cosmetic spraying is the application of pesticides for aesthetics, without significant harm to crops. Insurance spraying is preventative, done regardless of current pest conditions and it acts as 'insurance' against future pest outbreaks.

Step by step solution

Define Economic Threshold

The economic threshold is a term used in agriculture, especially in pest management. It refers to the density of pests at which the economic damage they cause equals the cost of controlling them. Here, economic damage refers to the amount of crop yield loss caused by the pests which would result in financial loss.

Define Cosmetic Spraying

Cosmetic spraying refers to the use of pesticides to control pests purely for aesthetic reasons rather than to prevent actual damage. In other words, this involves applying pesticides to improve the 'look' of a crop even if the pests present are not causing significant harm to the crop yield or quality.

Define Insurance Spraying

Insurance spraying involves the application of pesticides as a preventative measure, regardless of the presence or absence of pests in significant numbers. This is done with the perspective of 'insurance' against potential pest outbreaks that may occur in the future, and not based on the existing pest conditions.

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Define the term economic threshold as it relates to pest control. What are cosmetic spraying and insurance spraying?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define Economic Threshold

Define Cosmetic Spraying

Define Insurance Spraying

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