What role does 'improper dosage' play in IPM failure?

Improper dosage plays a significant role in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) failure primarily because it can cause pests to develop resistance to the herbicides being used. When herbicides are applied at incorrect dosages—whether too high or too low—it can lead to incomplete pest control. Pests exposed to sub-lethal amounts of a herbicide may survive and reproduce, passing on genetic traits that enable them to withstand the chemical treatment. Over time, this can result in populations of pests that are increasingly resistant to the herbicide, making them harder to control and forcing the applicator to rely on even more potent chemicals. This resistance development can undermine the effectiveness of IPM strategies, which rely on the sustainable management of pest populations rather than solely on chemical controls.

In contrast, the other potential impacts of improper dosage, while concerning, do not typically represent the primary reason for IPM failure. For example, while too high a dosage can create environmental hazards, such as harming non-target species or contaminating water sources, the critical failure in pest management effectiveness lies in the resistance issue. Similarly, those unintended effects on beneficial organisms or the misconception that higher dosages lead to better control do not address the long-term consequences of pest resistance.