The potential for using pesticide usage surveys to monitor plant pests

A brief introduction to the history and methodologies employed by the pesticide usage survey teams is given. The main objectives, scope and statistical requirements of the surveys are outlined. Whilst the methodologies for the collection of pesticide usage data are beneficial in the monitoring of plant pests over long periods of time, the survey visits are unsuitable for the rapid reporting needed to evaluate and report on plant pests in real time. However, because of the EU requirements for all member states to monitor pesticide usage, the data collected from these surveys can also provide information on new and existing pest pressures, changes in established pest pressures and allows monitoring of farmers’ and growers’ behaviour.     

Economics of integrated pest control in protected crops

Decision-makers in the protected crop environment face similar pest-management decisions, in economic terms, to growers of field crops or grain store managers. As a result, the principles of economic thresholds, cost: benefit analyses and risk minimisation apply equally to each of these systems. Growers are faced with several general classes of pest-control decisions: the general control strategy to adopt, and then tactical questions such as when to start control and when to stop or change control practices. However, there are a number of aspects of protected crops which require a somewhat different view of the problem. Several economic models for these questions are examined. The high density of protected crops means that a great deal is at risk at any one time. The protected environment reduces uncertainty about losses, but by optimising temperatures and humidities it increases the probability of loss. The feeling of being able to “control” the environment may extend to pests as well, increasing the use of standard pesticide or biocontrol programmes, rather than responsive pest management based on thresholds. The relatively small scale of protected crops, their accessibility for inspection and the high level of management skills involved in their production improve prospects for monitoring and predicting crop levels, insects and diseases, thus reducing uncertainty. However, the high probability of loss may reduce the value of gathering information, and encourage growers to rely on standard prophylactic procedures which allow them to devote management effort to more productive activities, such as marketing. The balance may be shifted towards more information-based decisions in the future to try to avoid excessive pesticide use because of more stringent regulations on pesticide residues and changing market demand for more organic produce. This may affect disease control in particular, where prophylactic biological control is not an option. At the policy level, feedback on environmental impacts to consumers and policy-makers is poor and decisions with expensive implications for the economy and for environmental quality may not be made in an optimal manner.     

THE EFFECTS OF SUB-LETHAL DOSES OF MCPA ON THE MORPHOLOGY AND YIELD OF VEGETABLE CROPS

Summary. The effects of sub-lethal doses of MCPA-sodium on the morphology, yield and marketability of cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts were studied in field and glasshouse experiments. The epinastic and formative effects in all three crops were similar. Cauliflower was the most susceptible and cabbage the least, but the marketability of these two crops was adversely affected at lower doses (less than 0.06 lb/ac a.e.) than that of Brussels sprouts (not below 0.1 Ib/ac a.e.), where the damage to the apex had less effect on the economically important portion of the plant. Brussels sprouts also produced lateral shoots on which normal sprouts developed even when the main stem above had been killed. In all three crops, characteristic galls were produced on the stems, and these, together with the effects on the stem apices, the leaves and the roots, are described and contrasted with abnormalities caused by other agencies.
Effets de doses sub-létales de MCPA sur la morphologie et le rendement des cultures tégumières IL Choux, choux-fleurs et choux de Bruxelles     

A web‐based decision support system to enhance IPM programs in Washington tree fruit

BACKGROUND: Integrated pest management (IPM) decision‐making has become more information intensive in Washington State tree crops in response to changes in pesticide availability, the development of new control tactics (such as mating disruption) and the development of new information on pest and natural enemy biology. The time‐sensitive nature of the information means that growers must have constant access to a single source of verified information to guide management decisions. RESULTS: The authors developed a decision support system for Washington tree fruit growers that integrates environmental data [140 Washington State University (WSU) stations plus weather forecasts from NOAA], model predictions (ten insects, four diseases and a horticultural model), management recommendations triggered by model status and a pesticide database that provides information on non‐target impacts on other pests and natural enemies. A user survey in 2008 found that the user base was providing recommendations for most of the orchards and acreage in the state, and that users estimated the value at $ 16 million per year. CONCLUSIONS: The design of the system facilitates education on a range of time‐sensitive topics and will make it possible easily to incorporate other models, new management recommendations or information from new sensors as they are developed. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

An assessment of the value of plant growth regulators and herbicides for crops grown for the processed food industries

The use of growth regulators to induce specific modifications in the growth of crops produced for processing is discussed. Increases in yield may be obtained by some treatments but more important effects on uniformity, quality, ease of harvesting and short-term storage may also be achieved. The results of experiments on stem extension of calabrese, chemical stopping and defoliation of Brussels sprouts, root/shoot ratio modification of root crops and short-term storage of green vegetables are presented. It is concluded that although so far, few commercial applications have been discovered, the requirements for growth regulation justify the search for new, more reliable synthetic growth regulators by improving screening tests and more efficient field trials. The use of herbicides on crops grown for processing is also discussed briefly and it is concluded that the prime requirement is for more efficient post-emergence herbicides.     

Determinants of farmers’ decisions on pesticide use in oriental tobacco: a survey of common practices

Information about pesticide use and perceptions of their risks among farmers is important for identifying problems associated with pest-control decisions and developing appropriate management practices in given crops. In tobacco, a plant sensitive to many pests and diseases, such information is lacking. The patterns of pesticide use in oriental tobacco, as well as the most important factors for farmers’ decisions relating to chemical pest control were studied among randomly selected farmers in northern Greece on the basis of self-reported information acquired through a pre-tested questionnaire. High reliance of farmers on pesticides and field use of all well-known classes of chemical pesticides were reported. While all the active ingredients reported were registered for pest control in tobacco, they differed considerably in terms of toxicity. A normal cropping season received at least 14–16 pesticide applications for soil disinfection, pest control, and weed control. Most farmers stated that they usually spray chemicals on a calendar basis or on the first appearance of a pest. Efficacy on target pests and market price of the pesticide products to be used were the most important criteria for selection of pesticides, i.e. products that are considered to be highly effective and/or that are cheap are more likely to be selected. Better-educated and more experienced farmers were found to pay more attention to environmental safety and pesticide toxicity. Most farmers felt that pesticide use can reduce crop damage by more than 75%, assuring high yields. Main determinants of pesticide use were primarily the fear of severe yield and economic losses and the doubts about the effectiveness and the correct implementation of alternative pest-control methods. Pesticide use could be reduced by exposing farmers to improved pest-control practices such as site-specific integrated pest management.     

Reducing pesticide inputs in glasshouses1

People in The Netherlands have become more and more aware of the fact that current agricultural production practice negatively influences the environment. Therefore, the government (Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries) has initiated a plan to reduce the use of chemicals drastically. This so-called Multi-Year Crop Protection Plan is aiming at the following: reduction of the use of chemicals, quantitatively as well as qualitatively (less dependence on chemical treatments); minimum release to the environment. For protected crops, this plan lays down a pesticide reduction of 50% of current use by 1995 and 65%) by 2000. The plan will be realized mainly by: use of healthy young propagating material (free from harmful organisms, beginning from the country of origin); extension of diagnostic knowledge of the growers; intensification of import inspections, followed by inspection of nurseries after import; separate cultivation of young plant material and crops for consumption; ‘closed-systems’ in glasshouses to prevent release (by keeping crops separated from the ground, probably not in artificial systems, but in soil which has been separated from the ground), and preventing the introduction of insects by using insect screens; in any case. biological control (also in ornamentals). Moreover, the Multi-Year Crop Protection Plan is a challenge to research workers, advisers, inspectors and growers to try to find, in close cooperation, practical and workable solutions.     

Plant growers' environmental consciousness may not be enough to mitigate pollinator declines: a questionnaire-based case study in Hungary

BACKGROUND

Pesticides are one of the most important anthropogenic-related stressors. In times of global pollinator decline, the role of integrated farming and urban gardens in supporting wild pollinators is becoming increasingly important. We circulated an online questionnaire to survey plant protection practices among Hungarian farmers and garden owners with a particular emphasis on pollinator protection.

RESULTS

We found that plant growers rely heavily on pesticide use, and pesticides are used widely in otherwise pollinator-friendly gardens. Whether pesticide use practices were driven by expert opinion and respondent gender were the best predictors of pesticide use. Although most respondents supported pollinators, pesticides are also used widely among home garden owners, which can pose a non-evident ecological trap for pollinator populations in the gardens.

CONCLUSION

Special attention should be paid to implementing measures to reduce pesticide use not only in farmland, but also in home gardens. Environmental education and financial support through agroecological schemes could efficiently promote the transition away from pesticide use. However, whereas farmers can be encouraged to reduce pesticide use mostly by expert advice, garden owners are likely to rely on more conventional information channels. The attitudes of Hungarian plant growers can provide an insight into pesticide use practices of Central and Eastern European countries, but similar surveys are needed across Europe for a complete understanding of broad-scale processes. This work lays the foundations for similar studies that can inform and facilitate the transformation to pesticide-free farming and gardening. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Herbicide‐resistant weed management: focus on glyphosate

This review focuses on proactive and reactive management of glyphosate‐resistant (GR) weeds. Glyphosate resistance in weeds has evolved under recurrent glyphosate usage, with little or no diversity in weed management practices. The main herbicide strategy for proactively or reactively managing GR weeds is to supplement glyphosate with herbicides of alternative modes of action and with soil‐residual activity. These herbicides can be applied in sequences or mixtures. Proactive or reactive GR weed management can be aided by crop cultivars with alternative single or stacked herbicide‐resistance traits, which will become increasingly available to growers in the future. Many growers with GR weeds continue to use glyphosate because of its economical broad‐spectrum weed control. Government farm policies, pesticide regulatory policies and industry actions should encourage growers to adopt a more proactive approach to GR weed management by providing the best information and training on management practices, information on the benefits of proactive management and voluntary incentives, as appropriate. Results from recent surveys in the United States indicate that such a change in grower attitudes may be occurring because of enhanced awareness of the benefits of proactive management and the relative cost of the reactive management of GR weeds. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Altered pesticide use on transgenic crops and the associated general impact from an environmental perspective

The large-scale commercial cultivation of transgenic crops has undergone a steady increase since their introduction 10 years ago. Most of these crops bear introduced traits that are of agronomic importance, such as herbicide or insect resistance. These traits are likely to impact upon the use of pesticides on these crops, as well as the pesticide market as a whole. Organizations like USDA-ERS and NCFAP monitor the changes in crop pest management associated with the adoption of transgenic crops. As part of an IUPAC project on this topic, recent data are reviewed regarding the alterations in pesticide use that have been observed in practice. Most results indicate a decrease in the amounts of active ingredients applied to transgenic crops compared with conventional crops. In addition, a generic environmental indicator -- the environmental impact quotient (EIQ) -- has been applied by these authors and others to estimate the environmental consequences of the altered pesticide use on transgenic crops. The results show that the predicted environmental impact decreases in transgenic crops. With the advent of new types of agronomic trait and crops that have been genetically modified, it is useful to take also their potential environmental impacts into account.     

Small-scale vegetable producers’ perception of pests and pesticide uses in East Shewa zone,Ethiopia

Vegetable growers’ knowledge of pest and their control method was assessed in 2014 in East Shewa zone, Ethiopia. Vegetable growers were well aware of key pests of vegetables, although some of them did not consider pests as constraint to vegetable production. All respondents scouted their vegetables for pests and used presence or absence of pest as criterion for spraying. About 76% of the respondents read pesticide label before buying pesticides, while the rest 24% of the respondents did not read pesticide labels. All vegetable growers sprayed insecticide, whereas fungicides and herbicides were applied by 90% and 7% of the respondents, respectively. About 72% of the respondents washed their sprayer after each application day and discharged the washings onto the soil. Moreover, the majority (62%) of the respondents threw empty pesticide containers around the field. Also, it was found that 71% of the respondents did not use personal protective equipment (PPE) while spraying pesticides, but a few used one or two types of PPE. More than half of the respondents sprayed pesticides on mature crops and sold the produce within three to five days.     

Assessing the risk of pesticide environmental impact in several Argentinian cropping systems with a fuzzy expert indicator

BACKGROUND: The introduction of transgenic soybean (Glycine max, L.) varieties resistant to glyphosate (GR soybeans) has rapidly expanded in Argentina, increasing pesticide use where only grasslands were previously cultivated. The authors compared an estimate of environmental risk for different crops and active ingredients using the IPEST index, which is based on a fuzzy‐logic expert system. For IPEST calculations, four modules are defined, one reflecting the rate of application, the other three reflecting the risk for groundwater, surface water and air. The input variables are pesticide properties, site‐specific conditions and characteristics of the pesticide application. The expert system calculates the value of modules according to the degree of membership of the input variables to the fuzzy subsets F (favourable) and U (unfavourable), and they can be aggregated following sets of decision rules. IPEST integrated values of ≥ 7 reflect low environmental risk, and values of < 7 reflect high risk. RESULTS: Alfalfa, soybean and wheat showed IPEST values over 7 (low risk), while maize had the lowest IPEST values (high risk). Comparing active ingredients applied in annual and perennial crops, atrazine and acetochlor gave the highest risks of environmental contamination, and they are mainly used in maize. Groundwater was the most affected compartment. CONCLUSIONS: Fuzzy logic provided an easy tool combining different environmental components with pesticide properties to give a simple and accessible risk assessment. These findings provide information about active ingredients that should be replaced in order to protect water and air from pesticide contamination. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Jointness in farmers' decision to apply pesticides in multiple crops and its determinants at the farm level in Bangladesh

Decision about pesticide application for pest control is an issue of major concern, but research on factors affecting decision-making is limited. This study investigates jointness in farmers' decision to apply pesticides in multiple crops and socio-economic determinants of pesticide use across crops using a survey of 2083 farms from 17 districts in Bangladesh applying a multivariate Tobit model. Overall, 75.4% and 12.7% of the farmers applied pesticides in one and two crops, respectively. The decision to apply pesticides in multiple crops was found to be negatively correlated, providing evidence of jointness. Also, individual socio-economic factors exerted variable influences on pesticide use in different crops. Output price significantly increases pesticide use whereas the influence of fertilizer price and labour wage is varied. Educated farmers use significantly more pesticides in rice and oilseed. Marginal and small farmers use significantly less pesticides in wheat/maize and pulse. Policy implications include price policies to reduce fertilizer prices and engaging agricultural extension agencies and non-governmental organizations to disseminate information on specific crop combinations which will synergistically reduce pesticide use.     

Managing the risk of insect resistance to transgenic insect control traits: practical approaches in local environments

BACKGROUND: Growers have enthusiastically embraced crops genetically modified to express Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins for insect control because they provide excellent protection from key damaging insect pests around the world. Bt crops also offer superior environmental and health benefits while increasing grower income. However, insect resistance development is an important concern for all stakeholders, including growers, technology providers and seed companies that develop these genetically modified crops. Given the marked benefits associated with Bt crops, insect resistance management (IRM) must be a consideration when cultivating these crops. RESULTS: The technical data and practical experience accumulated with Bt crops in many global regions can inform different aspects of resistance management leading to robust, science‐based IRM plans. A range of elements should be considered in assembling any IRM strategy, including: pest biology/ecology, product deployment patterns, local cropping systems, insect susceptibility monitoring, stakeholder/grower communications, and a remedial action plan should resistance develop. Each of these elements is described in more detail, with specific examples of how these elements can be combined and tailored to the local/regional environments and grower practices. CONCLUSION: IRM plans need to be suitable for the given production situation. What works for large monoculture production systems in North America is unlikely to be appropriate for the small, more diverse agriculture of southeast Asia or Africa. Though it is clear that Bt crops impart considerable value to growers, it is also clear that it is in the best interest of all stakeholders to preserve Bt proteins for the long‐term benefits they provide. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

基于推荐用量分析我国新烟碱类杀虫剂的登记现状

本文对目前中国农药信息网上公布登记的吡虫啉、烯啶虫胺、啶虫脒、噻虫啉、噻虫嗪、噻虫胺、呋虫胺、氯噻啉、哌虫啶、环氧虫啶等10种新烟碱类杀虫剂的信息进行了查询,分别从登记剂型、作物、防治靶标等方面对这10种杀虫剂的登记推荐有效成分用量情况进行了统计分析,最后,挑选用量范围最大的3种有效成分,5种作物,5种靶标进行组合,并对可能的18种组合进行了数据分析。结果发现:1)在防治草坪-蛴螬和甘蔗-蔗螟上,吡虫啉的有效成分用量要明显高于噻虫嗪和噻虫胺两种药剂,最高分别为2 100.00和1 500.00 g/hm~2;2)在防治韭菜-韭蛆上,噻虫嗪的有效成分用量要明显高于吡虫啉和噻虫胺,最高为1 732.50 g/hm~2;3)在防治小麦-蚜虫方面,吡虫啉的推荐有效成分用量范围最大(相差120倍),且偏高数值点最多;4)在防治水稻-飞虱上,同样是吡虫啉的偏高数值点最多。为减少农药施用,建议在病虫防治时推荐应用有效成分用量较低的农药类型(包括推荐有效成分用量更低的农药剂型和生物活性更高的农药有效成分)。未来农药登记用量将在农药最低有效剂量研究的基础上,针对不同药剂在不同作物的特定防治靶标提出更加科学、合理的推荐用量,为我国农药的合理减施提供科学依据。     

International pesticide use information system for exporting vegetables and fruit

Abstract

An online information system was developed to allow US growers to search pesticide application information for export of vegetables and fruits. By entering an export country, a crop name, pesticide type, and post harvest interval, a user can obtain a list of pesticides labeled for the crop, the pesticides suitable for use with export, and the associated pesticide application restriction (PAR) information for each pesticide in the recommended list. A relational database (Microsoft SQL Server 2000) was used to house the PAR data, pesticide labels, and pesticide maximum residue limit information (MRL). These data were obtained from governmental agencies and international organizations. The data were then entered into the system using an online data entry system developed using ColdFusion programming language. The database currently contains the registration information for over 1,100 pesticides, 20,000 MRL data entries, and 20,000 PAR entries. New data are updated frequently. The project web site is http://cipm.ncsu.edu/exportMRL.     

转基因耐草甘膦作物的环境安全性

世界每年因草害造成的作物产量损失达950亿美元,为了简便有效地防除多种杂草,农民希望喷施杀草谱广的除草剂。转基因耐除草剂作物的种植为农民提供了更多的除草剂选择,在扩大杀草谱、提高除草效果、增加作物安全性、改善环境、简化栽培等方面起到了积极作用。转基因耐除草剂作物的大面积种植也引起了全球对其环境安全问题的广泛关注。本文以耐草甘膦作物为例,对国内外环境安全的相关研究结果进行归纳和总结,以期为我国耐草甘膦转基因作物的环境安全评价及耐草甘膦作物的管理提供参考。     

Zur Bedeutung betrieblicher Faktoren für die Pflanzenschutzmittel-Intensität im Ackerbau

In Europe, farmers are encouraged to reduce pesticide use. Pesticide use intensity in arable farming depends on many factors. Numerous studies report a high variance in pesticide use between farms. The aim of the present study is to identify farm specific determinants for the intensity of pesticide use. We investigated which farm characteristics and pesticide management factors are related to lower or higher pesticide use intensity. Data on chemical plant protection measures of 30 farms in two districts of North East Germany were examined for five field crops from 2005 until 2014. In the present study we investigated the pesticide use intensities described as Standardized Treatment Index (STI) of ten representative farms. Yield data and information on the field-specific soil quality were available from these ten farms. We used multiple regressions to estimate the relationship between farm characteristics and pesticide use.     

Extent and Economics of Biological Control of Tetranychus urticae and Trialeurodes vaporariorum in Danish Glasshouses1

A survey was conducted among Danish tomato and cucumber growers concerning the use of biological and chemical control in Danish glasshouse crops in 1982. The survey revealed a widespread use of biological control of Tetranychus urticae and Trialeurodes vaporariorum on glasshouse crops of cucumber and tomato (87 and 77 % of the area, respectively). The growers estimated biological control to be cheaper than chemical control, and showed a pronounced preference for biological control (82 % of the replies). In cucumber crops, the area on which biological control was uninterrupted throughout the growing season was greater than in tomato crops, despite the fact that more chemical applications against other pests and diseases were necessary on cucumber crops. A list of the pesticides most commonly used in glasshouses in conjunction with successful biological control of spider mite is presented. Guidelines for biological and chemical control of spider mite on cucumber and whitefly on tomato are given.     

Variation in pesticide hazard from vegetable production in Great Britain from 1991 to 2003

Pesticides pose a difficult problem for policy makers as society generally seeks to reduce any adverse impacts of their use, while industry claims they are important contributors to economic success. Attempts to direct policy according to scientific findings are hampered by the multidimensionality of the potential impacts of pesticides which may affect consumers, operators, wildlife and the environment. Pesticide risk indices seek to reduce these multidimensional impacts into a single dimension and have been increasingly used to understand variation in the hazard posed by pesticides at both field and regional level. This study uses one such risk index, the environmental impact quotient (EIQ), to estimate the hazard posed by pesticide usage from 1991 to 2003 on several vegetable crops grown in the UK. Results are reported for the EIQ and for the environmental impact (EI) for brassicas, peas, beans, onions, leeks, lettuce and endives. The EIQ is a dimensionless estimate of the toxicity of a product, while the EI, which combines the EIQ with data on actual usage, estimates the overall hazard of the use of a product. The exact trends in EIQ and EI varied with crop over the period 1991-2003, but overall the EIQ decreased by 19% and the EI decreased by 34%. However, the mean EI per hectare decreased by only 3%. This suggests that some of the observed reduction in EI at the national level may be related more to decrease in crop area than changes in pesticide use and management. If these observed losses in crop area are being replaced by vegetable imports from overseas, then this raises the possibility that the UK is effectively exporting any problems related to pesticide use. The ethics of this remain unclear.