The economic threshold (ET) is the level of pest injury when pest control will prevent the __________ from being reached.

The economic threshold (ET) is defined as the level of pest injury at which the cost of controlling the pest is justified by the prevention of further damage to the crop or plant. This relationship is particularly critical in managing pest populations effectively and sustainably.

When considering the economic injury level (EIL), it represents the point at which the costs of pest damage equal the costs of control measures. The economic threshold is set below this level, allowing for action to be taken before reaching the EIL. The idea is that when pest populations reach the ET, the potential damage from those pests is projected to surpass the costs required to implement control measures. Therefore, control must be enacted to ensure that the economic injury level is not reached, thereby protecting the profitability of the crop.

Understanding this concept helps in making informed decisions, allowing crop advisors to apply pest management strategies at the right time without unnecessary expenditure. This prevents significant economic losses, emphasizing the importance of integrating economic thresholds into pest management practices.