What is 'resistance management' in pesticide use?

• A. Rotating modes of action, using integrated strategies, and avoiding repeated use of the same mechanism to prevent pests from developing resistance.
• B. Using the same pesticide repeatedly to ensure kill.
• C. Increasing dosage each season.
• D. Switching products without planning.

Answer: (A)

Resistance management means slowing or preventing pests from becoming resistant to pesticides by reducing the pressure placed on pest populations. The best way to do this is to rotate pesticides that have different modes of action, combine diverse control tactics, and avoid repeatedly using the same mechanism. Different modes of action attack pests in different ways, so changing tactics makes it harder for resistance genes to sweep through the population. Using integrated strategies—such as monitoring pest levels, spraying only when thresholds are reached, and incorporating cultural or biological controls—further lowers reliance on any single chemical and keeps pesticides effective longer. In contrast, applying the same product again and again selects for resistant individuals, increasing resistance risk; simply increasing the dose accelerates resistance and can violate label directions; and switching products without coordination may not reduce selection pressure and can promote cross-resistance.