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The classification of agricultural pesticides is based on the specific type of pest that they control. This includes:
Insecticides
These are chemical compounds that are directly applied to plants in order to control insect pests. There are several types of insecticides including natural insecticides, synthetic insecticides as well as systemic insecticides. Natural insecticides are derived from natural sources such as plants. These include Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) which is a bacterium that is harmful to certain insects. Synthetic insecticides are made from chemical compounds that are often more potent and provide longer-lasting effects than natural insecticides. These chemicals are often used for mass agriculture. Systemic insecticides are absorbed by the plants where they move into different plant parts such as leaves, stems, and roots. When the targeted insects feed on the treated plant parts, they ingest the insecticide. These pesticides are effective for pests that reside in parts of the plant that are not easily reached during spraying. For instance, they are effective on aphids and mealybugs that live on the undersides of leaves.
Herbicides
These are used for the control and management of weeds. Glyphosate is a systemic herbicide that kills weeds by penetrating the weed and spreading throughout the entire weed tissue. It works by inhibiting a specific enzyme pathway that is necessary for plant growth. Atrazine is a pre-mergence herbicide that is applied to the soil before weeds germinate and is used to control annual broadleaf and grass weeds.
Fungicides
This is a type of pesticide chemical that is used in the treatment and management of fungal diseases that affect plants. It is divided into the following categories. Contact fungicides provide a protective barrier on the plant’s surface and work by killing or inhibiting fungal spores that are on the plant. Systemic fungicides are absorbed by the plant and move through the plant tissues and provide internal protection. They are used for curative and preventive applications. Broad-spectrum fungicides are effective against many different fungal species. Narrow-spectrum fungicides target specific fungal pathogens.
Rodenticides
These are chemicals that are used to control rodents. Anticoagulant rodenticides are the most common type of rodent bait. These compounds prevent blood from clotting in the body leading to internal bleeding and death. These are the most widely used due to safety and effectiveness. These include single-dose and multiple-dose anticoagulants. A pesticide spray example that is a multiple-dose anticoagulant is Chlorophacinone. This type must be consumed in more than one feeding. Non-coagulant rodenticides kill rodents by other physiological means. Bromethalin is a non-coagulant rodenticide that damages the rodent’s brain and leads to death. This type does not require multiple feedings.
Agriculture
Pesticides play a critical role in modern agriculture and help maximize crop yields by protecting crops from the numerous pests that can reduce productivity. Agricultural pesticides improve crop quality by reducing pest damage and improving the appearance and market value of the crops. This leads to production of more high-quality food. It also supports food security by ensuring that more food is produced to feed the constantly growing global population. This also reduces losses in storage and transport. The consumer demand for pesticide-treated food ensures that there is availability of sufficient amounts of food. Reduced labor needs is another agronomic benefit resulting from the use of pesticides in agriculture. Pesticides help reduce the need for manual weeding and pest control and this helps reduce labor costs.
Public health
Pesticides have been regularly used in public health programs to control disease-carrying pests like mosquitoes, ticks, and rodents. This helps in the prevention of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus and reduces disease incidence within populations. With less targeted pesticide use, populations could see increased disease prevalence which could strain health care systems and increase mortality rates. Pest control also helps protect communities from the economic impact of disease outbreaks and ensures increased economic stability and productivity.
Forestry
Pesticides are used in forestry to protect trees from insects, weeds, and diseases and ensure sustainable forest management. This protects timber resources and maintain forest health and reduce the economic impact of pest outbreaks on the forestry industry.
Residential and commercial uses
Pesticides are commonly used in homes and businesses to control pests like insects, rodents, and weeds. This prevents damage to structures and promotes good hygiene and comfort in living and working spaces. Commercial use in areas like hospitality and food service is vital for pest control and management. This helps prevent food spoilage, diseases, and discomfort.
Industrial applications
This includes stored product protection, pest control in manufacturing plants, and pest management in warehouses and packaging facilities. This helps protect products and equipment from pest damage and contamination and ensures hygiene and quality standards.
The active ingredients in pesticides are the biologically active or bioactive part of the pesticide product. These are usually chemicals that exert toxic effects on the target pest and this is derived from either natural or synthetic sources. Insecticides specifically target insects and control the population and this is done through various means. For example, some insecticides paralyze the insect, some inhibit the insect’s growth, while others kill the insects. Herbicides are designed to control and kill weeds while leaving the target crops unharmed.
The active ingredients are the chemicals in the pesticide products that are responsible for the pesticide’s effect. Pesticide products usually consist of several pesticide components other than the active ingredients in order to enhance their effectiveness. These include: inert ingredients, formulation aids, adjuvants, safeners, and Synergists.
The use of agricultural chemicals is mostly dependent on the type of product that is being used, the pests that are being controlled, and the crops that are affected. Some are applied directly to the soil while others are applied to the plant and still, others are applied through irrigation systems. They are mostly applied at specific crop growth stages and pest development stages and usually during periods of the day when conditions favor effective application. Effective pesticide use when controlling pests is achieved by mixing or applying pesticides with compatible systemic ingredients. Compatibility can also be achieved by conducting a jar test that is based on the principle of compatibility. Another way of ensuring compatibility is by using tank-mix adjuvants that are compatible with different formulations. In a situation where a tank mix is not feasible, alternate uses that are spaced sufficiently apart from each other should be used. Modification of the sprayer should be based on the kind of application that is being performed. This is usually done to ensure the pesticide is well distributed in the spray solution.
Appropriate disposal of agricultural chemicals is very important because improper disposal can result in environmental contamination, harm to wildlife, and human health risks. Some key disposal considerations include the following:
Product identification
Clearly label and identify all unused, expired, or undesired pesticide products. This helps ensure that appropriate disposal methods are used for each specific product. Active ingredients used in the products are important to know. This is because some may have specific disposal requirements due to their potential hazards.
Container disposal
Containers should be triple rinsed or cleaned according to the manufacturer’s guidelines to minimize pesticide residue. Pesticide containers can be hazardous if not disposed of properly. This is because they may contain some residues that can be harmful. After cleaning, follow local regulations for pesticide container disposal which may include recycling, incinerating, or sending them to a designated hazardous waste facility.
Product disposal
Never pour pesticides down the sink, toilet, or storm drains as this can lead to contamination of water sources. They should also never be thrown in regular trash unless specifically allowed by local regulations. Find a legal and safe way to dispose of unused pesticides. Options may include returning to the supplier, participating in a pesticide collection program, or contacting local agricultural extension services for guidance.
Emergency preparedness
Improper disposal can result in serious hazardous situations and it is important to have plans in place for respond and preparedness. This includes having emergency response kits available and knowing local emergency response contacts.
Q1: What are some characteristics of pesticides that are suitable for sustainable agriculture?
A1: These agricultural pesticides should ideally have low persistence in the environment to minimize long-term residues, fast degradation rates, high efficacy against target pests, and low toxicity to nontarget organisms. This includes beneficial insects like pollinators and natural pest controllers, wildlife, and humans.
Q2: What are some legal and regulatory issues surrounding agricultural pesticide use?
A2: Some key legal and regulatory issues include: registration and approval, restricted-use pesticide, labeling requirements, compliance monitoring and enforcement, international trade and compliance, and liability and litigation.
Q3: What are some benefits of agricultural pesticides?
A3: They include: increased crop yields, protection from pest and disease, improved food quality and aesthetics, prevention of crop loss during storage and transportation, pest and disease eradication, prevention of public health issues, and control of invasive species.
Q4: What are some effects of agricultural pesticides on soil microorganisms?
A4: Some of the effects include pesticide residues can accumulate in the soil and negatively affect beneficial soil microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. These are critical for nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and overall soil health. Exposure to agricultural pesticide chemicals can disrupt microbial communities by altering the composition, diversity, and abundance of microorganisms.
Consequently, this affects microbial population and this can result in reduced biological activity and impaired capacity for nutrient mineralization, leading to nutrient deficiencies in crops.
