杂草种类、叶龄及药后降水时间对烟嘧磺隆药效的影响

温室盆栽条件下研究了反枝苋Amaranthus retroflexus、马唐Digitaria sanguinalis、稗草Echinochloa crus-galli、牛筋草Eleusine indica和苘麻Abutilon theophrasti 5种杂草对烟嘧磺隆的敏感性。结果表明:反枝苋和稗草对该药剂最敏感,而苘麻对烟嘧磺隆的耐药性最高。药液中添加2.5 mL/L的有机硅助剂Silwet L-77提高了对除马唐以外的所有草种的防除效果,表明在作用于马唐时Silwet L-77与烟嘧磺隆之间存在拮抗作用。杂草叶龄对烟嘧磺隆的药效有明显的影响,3~5叶期施药,防效高达89.9%以上,而7叶期的防效只有75%。药后1.5 h和3.0 h降水3 mm降低了烟嘧磺隆的防效,但药后6.0 h降雨对药效无显著影响。烟嘧磺隆与Silwet L-77混用,可提高药剂对反枝苋的抗雨水冲刷能力,但对马唐的效果没有提高。     

Effect of adjuvants on the rainfastness and performance of tribenuron‐methyl on broad‐leaved weeds

The influence of a non‐ionic surfactant (20% isodecyl alcohol ethoxylate plus 0.7% silicone surfactants), an anionic surfactant (25.5% alkylethersulfate sodium salt), and a vegetable oil (95% natural rapeseed oil with 5% compound emulsifiers) on the performance and rainfastness of a new commercial formulation of tribenuron‐methyl was assessed on four broad‐leaved weeds: wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis), scentless mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum), common poppy (Papaver rhoeas), and common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album). In one experiment, six doses of tribenuron‐methyl alone or in a mixture with each of the three adjuvants were applied to each weed species at two different leaf stages. In another experiment, the plants of T. inodorum were sprayed and subsequently subjected to 3 mm of rain at 1, 2, and 4 h after treatment (HAT). The activity of tribenuron‐methyl was significantly enhanced by all the adjuvants on all the weed species and only minor differences were observed among the tested adjuvants. The impact of the adjuvants varied among the weed species and growth stages. The highest response to the inclusion of adjuvants in the spray liquid was found at the late growth stage and on C. album, followed by P. rhoeas and T. inodorum, while S. arvensis was less responsive to the adjuvants. All the adjuvants significantly improved the rainfastness of tribenuron‐methyl on T. inodorum, with differences among the adjuvants being more pronounced when rain occurred shortly after herbicide application. The effect of the vegetable oil on tribenuron‐methyl's rainfastness was significantly lower than that of the surfactants with rain at 1 HAT, while no significant differences among the three adjuvants were observed when rain occurred at 2 and 4 HAT.     

Influence of environmental factors on the performance of sethoxydim against Elymus repens (L.)

The performance of sethoxydim on Elymus repens (L.) Gould was studied under contrasting levels of humidity, light intensity, temperature, soil moisture and simulated rainfall using controlled environment chambers. Over a 24-h post-spraying period, increases in humidity and temperature markedly enhanced herbicide performance, while effects of light intensity were less pronounced. Soil moisture deficit significantly reduced herbicide performance, but there were no adverse effects of wet soil conditions (twice field capacity) on activity. The effects of simulated rain depended upon herbicide dosage, time interval between spraying and the onset of rain, and rain intensity. A low rain intensity of 0.5 mm h^?1 did not reduce herbicide performance even when applied 10 min after spraying. The longer term studies, over 4 weeks, showed increases in herbicide activity with higher temperatures but lower light intensities.     

The effects of six adjuvants on the rainfastness of chlorpyrifos formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate

The chemically different adjuvants ‘Agral’, ‘Bond’, ‘Codacide Oil’, Li 700, ‘Silwet L’-77, and ‘Headland Guard’ were assayed to determine their effects on the rainfastness of an emulsifiable concentrate formulation of the organophosphorus pesticide chlorpyrifos. Cabbage leaves were each treated with 200×0.25-μl droplets of diluted formulation using a hand-held microapplicator. Droplet deposits were left to air-dry for 1 h prior to exposure to simulated rainfall. Rain fastness was assessed using GC residue analyses of treated leaves after exposure to 10, 20 or 30 min simulated rainfall. The results indicated that the latex-based adjuvants ‘Bond’ and ‘Headland Guard’ induced a statistically significant increase in rainfastness, results for the other adjuvants assayed being either not significant or inconclusive. The results are discussed within the context of using adjuvants to enhance insecticide efficacy. ©1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

降雨及助剂对咪唑乙烟酸药效的影响

以苘麻Abutilon theophrasti为测试植物,研究了施药后降雨和助剂对咪唑乙烟酸除草活性的影响。结果表明,咪唑乙烟酸有较好的耐雨性,药后2 h内无降雨,可保持相当的防效,药后4~8 h内无降雨,与无降雨的没有显著差异。添加非离子表面活性剂能明显提高咪唑乙烟酸的除草活性。其中增效作用从大到小依次为:AM-100＞PPJ-15＞OP-10＞SDP,咪唑乙烟酸的IC50值分别比未加助剂处理的下降了33.6%、35.4%、29.5%和17.1%。咪唑乙烟酸的用量越低,助剂的增效作用越明显。     

Tralkoxydim: adjuvant, MCPA and other effects

The effects of sodium bicarbonate, ammonium salts, mineral oil adjuvants, MCPA and time of day applied were determined for tralkoxydim activity. The influence of MCPA and sodium bicarbonate on herbicide rainfastness was also investigated. All the ammonium salts used overcame sodium bicarbonate antagonism. Ammonium salts were also beneficial in deionized water. Ammonium sulphate was the most effective salt followed by ammonium nitrate. Ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium hydroxide were less effective in sodium bicarbonate containing carriers. TF 8035 was a more effective mineral oil adjuvant than Addit. Ammonium sulphate further increased herbicide activity especially with Addit. Ammonium sulphate was effective with TF 8035 only in the sodium bicarbonate containing carrier water. MCPA was antagonistic to tralkoxydim and ammonium sulphate could not overcome the antagonism but enhanced the activity of the tralkoxydim – MCPA combination. Herbicide efficacy increased when applied in the evening and this was most pronounced in sodium bicarbonate carriers. Rain 30 min after application reduced its activity, but had no effect when tralkoxydim was applied with MCPA. In certain cases, rain improved herbicide activity with MCPA. The results indicate the importance of antagonistic carriers and combinations, adjuvants, ammonium salts and time of day applied on tralkoxydim activity and rainfastness.     

不同生育期转基因抗草甘膦抗虫棉花对草甘膦的耐受性

为明确转基因抗草甘膦抗虫棉田草甘膦的使用适期,于棉花子叶期、3~4片真叶期和花铃期喷施不同浓度的草甘膦,比较药害发生情况、棉花产量和纤维品质。棉花子叶期、3~4片真叶期和花铃期喷施1 640~9 840 g/hm²(有效成分,下同)草甘膦后,施药初期棉花均表现出一定的药害症状,药后4~8 d药害株率和药害指数达最大值,药后12 d药害症状逐渐减轻或消失。棉花子叶期和3~4片真叶期喷施草甘膦,对棉花产量无显著影响,但棉花花铃期喷施2 460~9 840 g/hm²草甘膦后,棉花产量显著降低,降幅达35.0%~63.3%。3个时期喷施草甘膦均不影响棉花的纤维品质。研究表明,转基因抗草甘膦抗虫棉田草甘膦的使用适期为棉花苗期。     

有机硅表面活性剂和黄原胶对多菌灵和三唑酮在小麦叶片上耐雨水冲刷能力的影响

为明确有机硅表面活性剂和黄原胶对杀菌剂在靶标作物上行为的影响,采用高效液相色谱分析法,在无降水和模拟降水条件下研究比较了有机硅表面活性剂和黄原胶对多菌灵和三唑酮在小麦叶片上的沉积量和耐雨水冲刷能力,并通过田间小区试验,研究了这两种助剂对多菌灵和三唑酮防治小麦赤霉病效果的影响。结果表明：加入有机硅表面活性剂聚醚聚酯有机硅2230或黄原胶均可提高多菌灵和三唑酮在小麦植株上的沉积量,聚醚聚酯有机硅2230浓度为1.0 mL/L时两种杀菌剂在叶片中的沉积量最高,而黄原胶的最佳用量为20 mg/L。在模拟降雨条件下,加入黄原胶或聚醚聚酯有机硅2230可增强多菌灵和三唑酮耐雨水冲刷能力,提高防治小麦赤霉病的效果。模拟降水2 h,黄原胶浓度为10 mg/L时,多菌灵和三唑酮的淋失率分别从74.26%和81.57%降低到16.0%和28.25%,对小麦赤霉病的防治效果从29.68%和26.39%提高到63.45%和60.98%;添加聚醚聚酯有机硅2230浓度为1 mL/L时,多菌灵和三唑酮的淋失率分别为49.38%和54.67%,防治效果达52.77%和47.83%;但模拟降水6 h时,即使添加助剂多菌灵和三唑酮对小麦赤霉病的防效也较低。     

河西走廊棉田主要害虫发生动态及植物源杀虫剂防治技术

为了解甘肃省河西走廊棉区5种常见害虫的田间种群消长动态,明确防治适期并提出以植物源药剂为主的棉花害虫绿色防控技术,于甘肃省敦煌市和瓜州县棉田连续3年采用人工调查和性诱剂诱捕器监测棉蚜Aphis gossypii、棉叶螨、棉蓟马Thrips tabaci、烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci及棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera的发生动态,同时开展以植物源农药为主的不同类型杀虫剂的田间药效筛选试验,建立科学防控用药技术流程。结果表明,棉蚜全年有6月中旬和7月中下旬2个发生高峰期,建议防治适期为7月上中旬;棉叶螨全年有7月上旬和7月下旬（2017年除外）2个发生高峰期,建议防治适期为6月下旬和7月中旬;烟粉虱全年只有8月中旬至9月中下旬1个高峰期,建议防治适期为8月上中旬;棉蓟马全年只有7月上旬至8月上旬1个高峰期,建议防治适期为7月上旬;棉铃虫1年发生3代,幼虫在7月下旬、9月上旬和9月中旬各有1个发生高峰期,成虫在7月上中旬、8月中下旬和9月中旬各有1个高峰期,建议防治适期应为7月上旬。软皂水剂、藜芦碱、苦参碱、啶虫脒和吡虫啉可用于防控棉蚜,药后14 d防效达76.93%~91.25%;藜芦碱、苦参碱、矿物油、软皂水剂、松油、阿维菌素、阿维·哒螨灵、螺螨酯和硅藻土+有机硅助剂可用于防控棉叶螨,药后10 d防效达72.39%~92.81%;软皂水剂、藜芦碱、印楝素、硅藻土+有机硅助剂、阿维菌素和噻虫嗪可用于防控烟粉虱,药后7 d防效达65.84%~84.29%;除虫菊素、苦参碱、多杀霉素、噻虫嗪和吡虫啉可用于防控棉蓟马,药后14 d防效达72.92%~90.93%。表明在该地区棉田主要害虫防治适期,建立以植物源农药替代传统化学药剂的防控技术,可用于我国河西走廊棉区棉花害虫的绿色防控。     

多喷头组合喷雾防治棉花害虫效果研究

本文在喷杆喷雾机上优化喷洒装置,采用多喷头组合喷雾,设计了双扇面喷雾的吊杆喷雾装置,对单一扇形雾喷头、双扇形雾喷头组合、双扇面吊杆喷雾进行了大田试验,数据结果显示:标准扇形雾喷头ST110-04(德国Lechler)+双扇面吊杆的喷雾效果最好,在冠层上中下不同部位的沉积变异系数为28.4%,在棉花冠层下部的覆盖率达到50.92%,虫口减退率超过85.0%;标准扇形雾喷头和防飘喷头组合ST110-02+IDK120-02(德国Lechler)喷雾效果其次;单一喷头喷雾在冠层下部的覆盖率较小,为33.14%,虫口减退率(红蜘蛛)为77.3%。双扇面组合喷雾与单扇面喷雾相比有显著性差异,不同类型喷头组合的喷雾性能优于其他类型喷头。     

模拟酸雨对小麦条锈病流行学组分的影响

为明确酸雨对小麦条锈病菌孢子萌发及病害流行学组分的影响,采用不同酸度的模拟酸雨(p H值分别为2.5、3.5、4.5和5.6)处理小麦条锈病菌Puccinia striiformis f.sp.tritici生理小种CYR32和CYR33的夏孢子,并将不同酸度模拟酸雨处理后的夏孢子接种小麦感病品种铭贤169,采用组分分析法研究酸雨对病害发展过程的影响。结果表明,随着模拟酸雨酸度的增强,生理小种CYR32和CYR33的夏孢子萌发率均显著降低,萌发24 h后对照组生理小种CYR32和CYR33的夏孢子萌发率分别为93.7%和79.8%,在p H 3.5模拟酸雨处理后萌发率仅为13.1%和8.6%。温室内接种试验结果显示,不同酸度模拟酸雨对生理小种CYR32和CYR33的侵染概率、潜育期和病情指数均有显著影响,对生理小种CYR32和CYR33病斑扩展率影响不显著;与对照相比,p H 3.5模拟酸雨处理后生理小种CYR32和CYR33的侵染概率分别下降79.9%和79.8%。结果表明强酸雨(p H 3.5)显著延长小麦条锈菌潜育期,减少病斑产孢量,降低病情指数和病害进展曲线下面积。     

吡虫啉和啶虫脒在两种叶菜上残留的原始沉积行为及其影响因素

叶菜上农药原始沉积行为受作物形态、农药种类及其剂型、施用方式等多种因素的影响,是评估农药残留的重要指标。以吡虫啉和啶虫脒为目标农药,以菠菜和生菜作为靶标作物,通过农药施用后的原始沉积行为,以及兑水量、叶面积指数和农药剂型对农药沉积的影响,初步揭示了农药原始沉积规律。结果表明：施药后0.5～8 h内其沉积量无显著差异,综合考虑,选择施药后2 h时测定其原始沉积量;两种农药在菠菜和生菜中主要沉积在叶片表面,沉积量占比均在87%以上,在根和土壤中的沉积量较少;农药施药剂量相同而兑水量不同,则原始沉积量存在显著差异,随着兑水量的增加,沉积量逐渐减少;菠菜和生菜中农药沉积量与叶面积指数呈负相关;原始沉积量与剂型也有相关性,在施药剂量相同时,吡虫啉在菠菜、生菜中原始沉积量最高均为可湿性粉剂,沉积量分别为0.66和0.77 mg/kg;啶虫脒在菠菜中原始沉积量最高为乳油和可湿性粉剂,沉积量均为0.65 mg/kg,生菜中原始沉积量最高为可湿性粉剂,沉积量为0.37 mg/kg。研究结果认为,农药剂型、兑水量和叶面积指数均会影响叶菜表面农药原始沉积量,该结果可为叶菜中农药合理安全施用和农药残留管控提供...     

Exposure of four Filipino farmers to parathion-methyl while spraying string beans

Filipino farmers resist wearing protective garments while spraying, preferring to wear long-sleeved cotton polyester shirts and short or long trousers. The exposure of farmers while wearing this attire and spraying was assessed to determine what degree of protection it afforded farmers under tropical conditions. Absorbent pads were placed on the outer and inner wear on various body parts. Applicators sprayed parathion-methyl on fruiting string beans at the recommended rate and residues were analyzed by gas chromatography. Each farmer had a characteristic spraying pattern which resulted in peculiar residue levels in some body parts. Inner exposure did not exceed the tolerable dermal exposure level during warm days while using proper spraying techniques. The use of long-sleeved cotton polyester shirt and thick polyester trousers provides, to a certain degree, protection for farmers during warm days. A change of clothing would be a more acceptable measure for farmers than wearing uncomfortable and impractical protective garments. The following spraying techniques reduced farmer exposure: fully outstretched arm, minimal body twisting and smooth hand movements. The use of thick polyester long trousers, gloves or a suitable substitute and the removal of weeds within the crop area also reduce farmer exposure to insecticides. Re-designing the bottle to include a plastic lip, in order to avoid spillage, is also recommended to reduce exposure during the critical mixing stage. Laundering the shirt immediately after use removes a significant amount of residues (96–97%) and contributes towards the protection of farm workers. These recommendations should provide useful data for incorporation in farmer-training programes on the proper use of pesticides.     

棉花脱叶催熟剂药液理化性质的变化及对植保无人飞机喷施效果的影响

为了科学配制棉花脱叶催熟剂药液,通过室内和田间试验评价了 4 种脱叶催熟剂药液体系在不同放置时间内理化性质的变化及其对植保无人飞机(UAV)喷施作业效果的影响。结果表明:540 g/L噻苯 ? 敌草隆悬浮剂药液体系在配制后 0 h的悬浮率和持留量最优,分别为95.5%和 5.49 mg/cm2;68%噻苯 ? 敌草隆可湿性粉剂药液体系配制后0 h在棉花叶片上接触角最优(0°);81%噻苯 ? 敌草隆水分散粒剂药液体系和12%噻苯 ? 敌草隆可分散油悬浮剂药液体系中噻苯隆的稳定性均较好,配制后24 h分别降低了11.63%和14.47%。总体上,4种脱叶催熟剂药液体系的悬浮率、持留量和噻苯隆含量均随着放置时间的延长而降低,且在 0.5～1 h时内降幅最为显著。药液放置时间对UAV喷施后的雾滴体积中径 (VMD,D_v50)、雾滴覆盖率和均匀性均有不同程度的影响。4 种药液体系的田间脱叶率均随放置时间的延长而降低,在 0～1 h内下降最快,放置超过 1 h会对棉花脱叶率产生显著影响,其中 12 h后影响最大。该研究结果可为棉花脱叶催熟剂药液的科学配制和UAV喷施作业提供参考。     

喷雾和灌根施药后吡虫啉在番茄植株中的分布及其对烟粉虱的防效

以番茄为供试植物,采用喷雾和灌根两种施药方法,测定了吡虫啉在植株内的分布动向及其对烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci的防效。结果表明,喷雾后第2 d,吡虫啉消解率为56.1％,第10 d接近90％;灌根后第2~21 d茎内持留量基本处于稳定状态。施药方法不同,吡虫啉对烟粉虱的防效不同。喷雾法施药对烟粉虱的短期防效好于灌根法(7 d以内),但"持效期"较短,喷雾施药 7 d 后,其防效大幅下降;而灌根施药后第7~21 d内,吡虫啉对烟粉虱的防效一直保持在65％以上,在此期间可有效控制烟粉虱的危害。模拟雨水冲刷试验结果表明,药剂在叶面的冲刷率始终在70%左右,表明吡虫啉叶面喷雾后没有或仅有很少一部分进入叶片内部,因此,喷雾叶片在吡虫啉持留量略高于灌根的条件下,对烟粉虱的防效却不如灌根的好。     

On-farm management practices to minimise off-site movement of pesticides from furrow irrigation

Off-site movement of pesticides from furrow-irrigated agriculture has been a concern in the Ord River Irrigation Area, Western Australia. This paper reports on the effectiveness of incorporation of pesticides by cultivator or power harrows before irrigating, and spraying pesticides only onto beds to minimise off-site transport. Incorporation of pesticides by power harrows prior to irrigation was found to be more effective in decreasing the off-site transport of a more strongly sorbed pesticide, endosulfan. The average load of total endosulfan (alpha + beta + sulfate) decreased by 74% (P < 0.01) from 11.41 g ha(-1) from the conventionally treated bays to 2.96 g ha(-1) from the incorporated irrigation bays. The total average load of atrazine leaving the irrigation bays was decreased by 81% (P < 0.05) from 87.82 g ha(-1) under the conventional practice of spraying the whole field to 16.95 g ha(-1) by spraying the beds only. A reduction of 52% in total average load of metolachlor was observed following incorporation with power harrows, but this was not significant. Incorporation by cultivator or by power harrows decreased the total load of atrazine or metolachlor leaving the irrigation bays over the whole irrigation period, but these treatments were not shown to be statistically significant, which may have been due to the limited number of field replicates. Incorporation of strongly sorbed pesticides (e.g. endosulfan) prior to irrigation significantly decreased the off-site transport of these pesticides in a furrow irrigation system and may be a useful practice to minimise off-site transport of other similar pesticides. Minimising off-site transport of weakly sorbed pesticides (e.g. atrazine and metolachlor) from a furrow irrigation system is more difficult. The nature of furrow irrigation makes it highly conducive to pesticide transport, particularly of weakly sorbed pesticides, and further work is needed to develop strategies to minimise the movement of this group of pesticides to water bodies.     

无人机施药对棉蚜的防治效果及经济效益分析

为探讨采用无人机防治新疆南部地区棉蚜的可行性并筛选防治效果好的杀虫剂及具有增效作用的杀虫剂助剂,研究了采用大疆MG-1S型无人机喷施不同的杀虫剂+助剂对棉蚜的防治效果,并对无人机飞防的经济效益进行了分析。结果表明:采用MG-1S型无人机喷施22%氟啶虫胺腈悬浮剂(SC) 225 mL/hm2(制剂量,下同)时对棉蚜的防治效果最好,优于喷施70%吡虫啉水分散粒剂(WG) 30 g/hm2和70%啶虫咪WG 60 g/hm2。在添加助剂方面,以分别在70%啶虫脒WG 60g/hm2和70%吡虫啉WG 30g/hm2中添加15 mL/hm2的高工效通用助剂的防治效果最好,其次为聚合物类助剂和飞防增效剂;而在22%氟啶虫胺腈SC(150 mL/hm2)中,以添加150 mL/hm2的飞防增效剂的效果最好,其次为矿物源类、有机硅类和聚合物类助剂。采用无人机施药,在施药后3 d和5 d的防治效果与采用机械+人工拖管施药相比均无显著性差异,但无人机田间作业施药液量减少1/3,工作效率提高3倍,机械作业费减少60元/hm2,可满足现代农业高效、节药和降低成本的需要。     

Influence of oil droplet size on the toxicity of bifenthrin on cotton to tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens)

Sprays of bifenthrin and paraffinic oil mixtures were applied to cotton leaves (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to investigate droplet size effects on the mortality of Heliothis virescens (F.). An air-assisted nozzle applied mixtures at 9.4 litre ha ?1 spray rate with volume median diameters (VMD) of 96 and 337 μm, as verified with a Malvern laser diffraction analyzer. An hour after spraying, susceptible 3rd-instars walked for 2-min through wet droplets of spray mixtures applied at bifenthrin rates of 22, 45, 67, 90. and 112 g a.i. ha ?1. Mortality was assessed at 21, 26, 45, 50, 74, and 117h after exposure. Final mean mortality was affected (P =0.01) by bifenthrin rate and droplet size. Bifenthrin applied in 337 μm VMD droplets caused 75.8% mortality, whereas 96-μm VMD droplets resulted in a mortality of 67.9%. Also, the 337 μm VMD droplets killed larvae in 13% less time than the 96μm VMD droplets, based on analysis (P =0.01) using the mean elapsed time till death as the dependent factor.     

Effects of formulation on the run-off of imidacloprid from turf

Imidacloprid is a pesticide often used to control insect pests on residential lawns and golf courses. To investigate its potential to be transported into non-target aquatic systems by rainfall events, imidacloprid was applied as 5.0 g kg-1 GR and 750 g kg-1 WP to 12 plots planted with bermuda grass set on a 5% slope. The dimethylamine salt of the herbicide 2,4-D was applied simultaneously to the plots in order to normalize the results to prior trials conducted with other pesticides. At a rate of 2.5 cm h-1, 5-cm rainfall events were simulated at 24 and 48 h after application and 2.5-cm events were simulated at 96 and 192 h. After each event water was collected from each plot and analyzed by HPLC for residual insecticide or herbicide. Approximately 1.4% of the insecticide formulated as WP and 1.9% of that formulated as GR was lost from the plots after four run-off events. Of the total mass lost, 64% and 30% respectively occurred in the first and second run-off events for the WP formulation versus 75% and 20% for the GR formulation. These values compare with a total mass export of 2.6% for 2,4-D, of which 95% and 4% of the loss occurred respectively in the first and second run-off events. The maximum concentration of imidacloprid detected in run-off water was 0.49 mg litre-1 and occurred during the first run-off event.     

Farmer perceptions and pesticide use practices in vegetable production in Ghana

As an initial part of a programme aimed at promoting safe and sound agricultural practices in Ghana, a study was made of farmers' perceptions of pesticides for use and application in vegetable production, using a small survey of 137 farmers who applied pesticides. Field surveys, interviews, questionnaires and analytical games were used to obtain information on the type, scope and extent of use of pesticides, farmers' knowledge of pesticides, and their perceptions about the chemicals' potential for harm. Data from this sample of farmers were used to describe the status of use of pesticides in vegetable cultivation in Ghana. Using chi2 tests, associations between farmers' age and possible pesticide poisoning symptoms, their farm size and method of spraying pesticides, and their perception of pesticide hazard and its perceived effectiveness against pests were also examined. The survey showed that knapsack sprayers were the most widely used type of equipment for spraying pesticides. However, on large-scale vegetable farms of 6-10 acres, motorised sprayers were also used. Various inappropriate practices in the handling and use of pesticides caused possible poisoning symptoms among those farmers who generally did not wear protective clothing. Younger farmers (<45 years of age) were the most vulnerable group, probably because they did more spraying than older farmers (>45 years of age). Farmers did not necessarily associate hazardous pesticides with better pest control. The introduction of well-targeted training programmes for farmers on the need for and safe use of pesticides is advocated.