Pest Sampling

Sampling is the process of selecting units from a population. The sample is studied and generalization is made to the population based on the results of the sample. The characteristics of a good sample are
(a) it should be large enough to cover or represent the population;

(b) it should be reliable. It is important because of the following reasons:
(a) population of pest is too large (b) low cost

(c) time consideration and

(d) area covered is too large.

In developing a sound crop protection program, the proper pest sampling and damage assessment is essential and also some important information about the components of agroecosystem. The implementation of a management tactics relates to the prevention of commodity loss since the management tactic was implemented at the appropriate time based on good estimates of pest damage potential and as well as pest densities. There are two general methods of sampling in the field; the first one is direct sampling, the direct sampling of pest from the host plant on in the environment and the second method is the indirect wherein the account of the damage of the pest is considered.