What does the term "integrated pest management" (IPM) refer to?

The term "integrated pest management" (IPM) refers to a holistic approach to controlling pests, which is why B is the correct choice. IPM encompasses a combination of techniques and strategies aimed at managing pest populations in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner. It emphasizes understanding pest life cycles, monitoring pest populations, and using a variety of control methods, including biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical control, when necessary.

This approach reduces reliance on chemical pesticides alone, promoting the use of alternative methods that can be less harmful to beneficial organisms, the environment, and public health. By integrating multiple pest management strategies, IPM maintains pest populations at acceptable levels while minimizing potential impacts on non-target organisms and ecosystems.

In contrast, the other choices focus on singular or less comprehensive approaches to pest management. Using only chemical pesticides ignores the broader context and integrated strategies that IPM supports. A specific type of pest control does not encompass the diverse methods involved in IPM, and a focus on monoculture practices can lead to increased susceptibility to pest outbreaks, which IPM aims to avoid through biodiversity and crop rotation techniques.