Pesticide Application Research Articles

The Hidden Powers of Glomalin: Insights into Soil Health and Functionality

Agricultural practices such as the application of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides have profound effects on soil, altering its physical and chemical properties and consequently impacting soil biota composition and diversity. Since plant health is intricately linked to soil health, managing soil in a manner that conserves and enhances soil biota can significantly improve crop yield and quality. The rhizosphere, the zone directly influenced by plant roots, harbours high populations of active microorganisms and plays a vital role in plant-microbe interactions. One of the most crucial symbiotic relationships in the rhizosphere is between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). AMF form mutualistic associations with the roots of various plant species, including major crops and contribute to defence against soil-borne pathogens, nutrient cycling and soil aggregation. Glomalin, a glycoprotein secreted by AMF, plays a crucial role in soil aggregation, stability and carbon sequestration. It enhances soil structure, binds with soil particles, stabilizes aggregates and promotes water infiltration and retention. It also plays a role in sequestering toxic metals, reducing their availability to plants and mitigating their harmful effects on soil biota. Managing glomalin in soil involves practices such as minimizing tillage to preserve the hyphal network, maintaining living roots through cover crops to sustain fungal colonization and optimizing nutrient inputs to support fungal activity without overloading the soil. AMF and glomalin play pivotal roles in agricultural sustainability and soil ecosystem functioning, highlighting the importance of conserving and enhancing these beneficial microbial associations for improved soil health and crop productivity.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Chemical Applications for the Production of Brinjal Crop

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.), commonly known as eggplant, is a crucial vegetable crop cultivated extensively in tropical and subtropical regions. Chemical applications in brinjal cultivation, encompassing fertilizers, pesticides, and growth regulators, play a significant role in enhancing yield and quality. This comprehensive analysis reviews the latest advancements and methodologies in the chemical management of brinjal crops. It discusses the optimized use of synthetic and organic fertilizers for nutrient management, the strategic application of pesticides for pest and disease control, and the use of plant growth regulators to improve crop growth and productivity. Recent studies emphasize the importance of integrated pest management (IPM) practices to minimize chemical residues and environmental impact. In the Puducherry district, data was collected from five brinjal-growing villages out of sixty-two, utilizing a combination of closed-ended questionnaires for independent variables and open-ended questionnaires for dependent variables. In-person interviews were conducted to gather comprehensive data, which was then evaluated using a range of appropriate and standardized statistical tools. The study identified three dependent variables and fifteen independent factors, focusing on the evaluation of chemicals used in brinjal production, methods for handling these chemicals, and their effects on human health.

How to promote the application of green pesticides by farmers? Evolutionary game analysis based on “government–farmer–consumer”

Green pesticide use, as a key means to reduce pesticide use, plays a crucial role in promoting environmental and food safety. However, the effectiveness of green pesticide use policies in China falls short of expectations. Existing research mainly examines the policy promotion issues of green pesticide use from a static and single-agent perspective. However, green pesticide use behavior is a dynamic process influenced by multiple factors, including the government, farmers, and consumers. This paper builds an evolutionary tripartite game model of the government, farmers, and consumers from the perspective of dynamic strategy evolution and explores the evolutionary conditions that affect the stability of the tripartite game strategy during green pesticide application. The results show that 1) through different partnership models, the government, farmers, and consumers can evolve to a stable state. 2) Keeping the government’s regulatory intensity in the market for green agricultural products within a reasonable range will help farmers apply green pesticides. 3) Users’ preference for high-quality vegetables will increase the market selling price of green products. 4) Maintaining the government’s ecological subsidies for green pesticides will help stimulate farmers’ enthusiasm for using green pesticides. Therefore, the government should appropriately strengthen ecological subsidies and market supervision, guide consumers’ green consumption behavior, and encourage farmers to use green pesticides.

Assessment of Possibly Toxic Elements in Landfill Soils and Their Impacts on the Ecosystem in Alice, South Africa

Soil contamination by metallic components is an obscure, detrimental, protracted, and irreparable predicament. Dumping of waste containing heavy metals into landfills, fertilizer and pesticide application, and coal combustion results in high toxicity of metallic elements, and their continuous accumulation in soil pollutes the environment, which, in turn, poses a threat to human health. The specimens were subsequently dehydrated, processed for mineralization, and carefully examined microscopically by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), which examined their mineral substance, crystalline configuration, and chemical composition. Thirteen (13) elements were detected, and only eight (8) metals were discovered (K, Mg, Na, Ca, Al, Fe, Au, Ba), including non-metals (C, O, Cl, P) and a metalloid (Si). The concentrations of possibly toxic elements obtained showed no consistent succession, as they fluctuated across the examined sites. The Al concentration ranged from 3.78 ± 0.23 wt% to 10.23 ± 0.31 wt%, while the Fe concentration fluctuated from 4.14 ± 0.40 wt% to 13.13 ± 1.07 wt%. Na and Mg levels were present in all samples, but their availability was minimal, at less than 2.0 wt%, ranging between 1.44 ± 0.20 wt% and 0.31 ± 0.08 wt%. The concentrations of Ca and K were low in all soil samples, ranging from 0.91 ± 0.14 wt% to 5.56 ± 0.47 wt% for Ca and from 1.32 ± 0.25 wt% to 4.87 ± 0.18 wt% for K. During the investigation at the designated and control areas, it was discovered that the concentrations of potentially hazardous metals exceeded the accepted limits established by the World Health Organization (WHO) > 100 ppm. The findings provide proof of metallic contaminants in the study region, which calls for proper monitoring, management, and remedial measures of metal-tainted sites, since the residents of this locality are at a significantly elevated risk of experiencing adverse effects due to their heightened exposure to these elements. As a result of that, there is an imperative need to monitor and regulate this area regularly and appropriately. The study recommends sustainable farming practices, where farmers could use natural fertilizers and compost, as well as, the implementation of proper waste management, effective recycling techniques, and proper disposal of substances containing heavy metals as byproducts. Further implement remediation techniques that effectively and safely restore soils contaminated by metals in an environmentally sustainable and economically efficient manner.

The role of Phanerochaete australis in enhancing defense activity against Magnaporthe oryzae in upland rice

ABSTRACT The inclusion of biological control in the integrated management of rice blast (Magnaporthe oryzae [Mo]) reduces pesticide application. Phanerochaete australis (Pha) has been shown to be a potential inducer of resistance to rice blast. Pha was isolated saprophytically from the rice phylloplane and studied for its interaction with Mo in the defense process of upland rice plants against the pathogen attack. Investigating the Pha × Mo interaction in a completely randomized design, the suppression of leaf blast and the epidemiological components of disease development were quantified in vivo, whereas the physiological and biochemical aspects, as defense enzymes and oxidative complex components, were evaluated in vitro during the induction of resistance. In the Pha × Mo interaction, it was found that seed treatment can significantly reduce disease severity by up to 93%, increase the photosynthetic apparatus, mobilize photoassimilates to the defense system, intensify defense enzyme and oxidant complex activities (chitinase [CHI], β-1,3-glucanase [GLU], lipoxygenase [LOX], phenylalanine ammonia-lyase [PAL], poliphenoloxidase [PPO], peroxidase [POX], catalase [CAT], cuperoxide dismutase [SOD]), decrease phenolic compounds (TPCs), and increase photosynthetic pigment levels compared with the negative control (Mo). When treating the seed, we are referring to an induction process where there is no physical contact between the pathogens. The enzymes produced by the interaction between the microorganisms validate this process; thus, Pha acts as an inducer of resistance to upland rice plants challenged with Mo.

Field agrochemical exposure impacts locomotor activity in wild bumblebees.

Agricultural intensification has been identified as one of the key causes of global insect biodiversity losses. These losses have been further linked to the widespread use of agrochemicals associated with modern agricultural practices. Many of these chemicals are known to have negative sublethal effects on commercial pollinators, such as managed honeybees and bumblebees, but less is known about the impacts on wild bees. Laboratory-based studies with commercial pollinators have consistently shown that pesticide exposure can impact bee behavior, with cascading effects on foraging performance, reproductive success, and pollination services. However, these studies typically assess only one chemical, neglecting the complexity of real-world exposure to multiple agrochemicals and other stressors. In the summer of 2020, we collected wild-foraging workers of the common eastern bumblebee, Bombus impatiens, from five squash (Cucurbita) agricultural sites (organic and conventional farms), selected to represent a range of agrochemical, including neonicotinoid insecticide, use. For each bee, we measured two behaviors relevant to foraging success and previously shown to be impacted by pesticide exposure: sucrose responsiveness and locomotor activity. Following behavioral testing, we used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) chemical analysis to detect and quantify the presence of 92 agrochemicals in each bumblebee. Bees collected from our sites did not vary in pesticide exposure as expected. While we found a limited occurrence of neonicotinoids, two fungicides (azoxystrobin and difenoconazole) were detected at all sites, and the pesticide synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) was present in all 123 bees. We found that bumblebees that contained higher levels of PBO were less active, and this effect was stronger for larger bumblebee workers. While PBO is unlikely to be the direct cause of the reduction in bee activity, it could be an indicator of exposure to pyrethroids and/or other insecticides that we were unable to directly quantify, but which PBO is frequently tank-mixed with during pesticide applications on crops. We did not find a relationship between agrochemical exposure and bumblebee sucrose responsiveness. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of a sublethal behavioral impact of agrochemical exposure on wild-foraging bees.

Dynamic Behavior of Systemic Insecticide Residues in Snapdragons

Pesticide application is used in horticulture to reduce plant damage from organisms such as insects and mites. Systemic insecticides are highly efficacious and readily taken up by plant tissues. However, pesticide-treated plants may impose risks to nontarget insects or other organisms within ecosystems. In this study, insecticide residues in nectar, leaves, and flower petals of the horticulturally significant herbaceous annual snapdragon, Antirrhinum majus (Lamiales: Plantaginaceae), were assessed at two locations over several weeks following foliar and drench treatment with five systemic insecticides. Concentrations of the insecticides were determined by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The independent effects Application Method, Application Rate, and Time were statistically significant among all active ingredients in the three matrices in both sites in California (CA) and New Jersey (NJ). The interaction effects were also generally statistically significant in the CA site but less consistently so in the NJ site, dependent on the active ingredient and matrix. Post hoc analyses found the highest residue concentrations in leaves and the lowest in nectar, a trend generally consistent over time regardless of active ingredient for both the CA and NJ sites. The results of this study are discussed in the context of conserving pollinators and other beneficial insects. It is recommended that similar studies should be implemented in different geographical regions and climates, along with multiyear studies for perennial ornamental plants.

Robust colored point cloud alignment based on L*a*b* guided and Cauchy kernel

AbstractPrecision agriculture benefits from point set registration, which can monitor plant health and growth in real time, promote the precise application of fertilizers and pesticides, and provide technical support for achieving sustainable development of agriculture. In this work, we propose a robust point set registration method for precision agriculture based on L*a*b* color guidance, bidirectional search and Cauchy distribution. First, the L*a*b* color guidance is applied to establish accurate correspondences between agricultural RGB‐D data. Second, the bidirectional nearest neighbor search strategy between point sets improves the reliability of establishing correspondences and broadens the convergence domain of the algorithm. Third, Cauchy distribution is utilized as an energy function for noise suppression, which further improves the robustness of the algorithm in dealing with complex vegetation scenes. Finally, results of ablation and simulation experiments indicate that the proposed registration algorithm can achieve more accurate and robust alignment results than other classic and state‐of‐the‐art point cloud registration algorithms to achieve monitoring and comparison of plant growth.

Spreading model of single droplet impacting the banana leaf surface and computational fluid dynamics simulation analysis

The droplet deposition behavior is an important indicator of precision agriculture and sustainable agriculture 4.0. Comprehensive analysis of the behavior and modeling of pesticide droplets impacting target leaves is an important basis for achieving efficient spray deposition. In this study, banana leaves were taken as the research object, the spreading model and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of single droplet impacting on the target leaf surface were studied from the micro and macro perspectives. The aim is to clarify and obtain the quantitative mapping relationship between droplet deposition performance and related operating parameters. The results showed that the pesticide droplets were asymmetrically spread and slipped on the surface of the inclined banana leaves. The maximum lateral spreading diameter Dnmax was only affected by the normal component of Weber number Wen, while the maximum tangential spreading diameter Dtmax and slip distance L were affected by the normal component of Weber number Wen and the inclination angle α. As the impact velocity increases, the pesticide droplets interact with the non-smooth morphology of the banana leaf surface to form a large number of pinning sites on the edge contact line. Combining the microscopic characteristics of banana leaves with the physicochemical characteristics of the droplets, a CFD model was established to carry out single-drop impact simulation verification. The impact velocity and inclination angle were set as variables to carry out CFD simulation of the dynamic process. The numerical simulation results are consistent with the spreading model obtained from the experimental study, which can quantitatively reflect the impact process of pesticide droplets. The spreading model and CFD model of pesticide droplets impacting on the banana leaf surface established in this study, can provide guidance for the selection of pesticide application for the spray droplet deposition behavior. At the same time, it can also provide methodological reference for other crop spray research and spray technology research in other fields.

Biochemical responses of Echinochloa polystachya inoculated with a Trichoderma consortium during the removal of a pyrethroid-based pesticide

The biochemical response of plants exposed to pesticides and inoculated with microorganisms is of great importance to explore cleaning up strategies for contaminated sites with pyrethroid-based pesticides. We evaluated the effects of a Trichoderma consortium on the biochemical responses of Echinochloa polystachya plants during the removal of a pyrethroid-based pesticide. Plants were inoculated or not with the Trichoderma consortium and exposed to commercial pesticide H24®, based on pyrethroids. Pesticide application resulted in significant reduction in root protein content (58%), but enhanced content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in shoots, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in shoots and roots, and catalase (CAT) activity in roots. Inoculation of Trichoderma consortium in E. polystachya exposed to the pesticide resulted in increased protein content in roots and MDA content in shoots (2-fold). Trichoderma consortium improved protein content and SOD activity (140-fold) in plants. Fungal inoculation increased the removal (97.9%) of the pesticide in comparison to the sole effect of plants (33.9%). Results allow further understanding about the responses of the interaction between plants and root-associated fungi to improving the assisted-phytoremediation of solid matrices contaminated with organic pesticides.

Small-scale market gardeners’ knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the use of chemical pesticides in the Kabare territory (South-Kivu) in Eastern D.R. Congo

Damage caused by pests and diseases is one of constraints on crop production for food security. Based on the use of questionnaire and interviews that were conducted in Kabare territory (South-Kivu), this study was carried out to (i) assess farmers practices, attitudes, and knowledge about pesticides use, and (ii) assess the human health and physical environment effects using pesticides. Data was collected from 300 small-scale farmers in study area. Results showed that majority of our respondents were men (59 %) rather than women (41 %) and local knowledge of pesticide use was low (60 %). Education level had a significant influence (p < 0.01) on level of knowledge about pesticide use, time and dose of treatment, method of control, and persistence time. In addition, education level influence significantly farmers' attitudes before and after pesticide treatment (p < 0.05). Pest management control, time of pesticide application, and packaging management method varied significantly with level of local knowledge (p < 0.01). Pesticides use by small-scale farmers has an effect on water, soil, and air quality. It also causes human pathologies such as vomiting, eye irritation, and even loss of life in event of heavy exposure. Inhalation and dermal exposure are main and most dangerous routes of pesticide exposure in our study area, which lacks protective strategies. Finally, use of pesticides disrupts biodiversity through the disappearance of pollinators, predators, parasitoids, and soil microorganisms. Therefore, broad continuity of this study with integration of other scientific aspects would effectively contribute to the improvement of environmental quality.

Effect of different pesticide application techniques on distribution, spray drift and lost on soil

Effect of different pesticide application techniques on distribution, spray drift and lost on soil

A study on mode of pesticide application by the vegetable growers in Bemetara District of Chhattisgarh

A study on mode of pesticide application by the vegetable growers in Bemetara District of Chhattisgarh

Description of the Behavior of Chilli Farmers in the Use of Pesticides in Nagari Andiang, Suliki District Fifty City District

The problem that is often faced in the use of pesticides in the field is the incorrect amount, time, and type of application as a result of the user's lack of knowledge and awareness regarding the correct application of pesticides. From the initial service carried out by researchers, it was seen that several farmers were still not implementing appropriate pesticide applications, such as not wearing personal protective equipment in the form of masks, gloves, and so on. This research aims to describe the behavior of vegetable farmers in pesticide application. This type of research is descriptive and quantitative with a population of 2,361 people and a sample of 48 people. Data was collected from January – March 2024. Data was collected by conducting an initial survey and questionnaire measuring tools. Based on the research conducted, it was discovered that as many as 26 people with a percentage of 54.17% of the sampled chili farmers had low knowledge of pesticide application. As many as 21 people with a percentage of 43.75% of chili farmers had a negative attitude towards pesticide application and as many as 19 people with a percentage of 39.58% had unfavorable attitudes towards pesticide application. It is recommended that the Head of Nagari Wali coordinate with PPL (Field Agricultural Officers) to socialize appropriate and correct pesticide application, so that vegetable farmers maintain their attitude during this time, such as getting used to showering after spraying pesticides and using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during pesticide application.

Sensitivity of Farmers to the Environment and Human Health in the Application of Agricultural Pesticides: A Case Study from Türkiye

Sensitivity of Farmers to the Environment and Human Health in the Application of Agricultural Pesticides: A Case Study from Türkiye

The effect of botanical pesticide application and mycorrhiza on colonization of mycorrhiza, soil microbial communities, growth and yield of maize on Ultisols

An experiment to study the effect of synthetic and botanical pesticide and arbuscular mycorrhizae (AMF) on mycorrhizal colonization, population of soil microbes, growth and yield of maize on Ultisols was carried out in green house of Agriculture Faculty, Universitas Padjadjaran at Jatinangor, Sumedang District, West Java Indonesia The experiment design used was Factorial Randomized Block, consisted two factors. The first factor was pesticide consisted five levels i.e. without pesticide; neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) pesticide; Annona muricata pesticide ; furadan and regent. The second factor was mycorrhiza consisted two levels i.e. without AMF inoculation and AMF inoculation. The experiment consisted two units with three replications; the first unit was harvested in the end of vegetative period to observe percentage of mycorrhizal infection, population of soil bacteria and fungi, fosfor uptake and dry weight of shoot, and the second unit was harvested in the end of generative period to find out the yield of maize. The results of this experiment showed that there was no interaction effect between pesticide and AMF on percentage of mycorrhizal infection, population of soil bacteria and fungi, fosfor uptake, dry weight of shoot and yield of maize. Pesticide decreased percentage of mycorrhizal infection and population of soil bacteria and increased yield of maize. Furthermore, AMF increased fosfor uptake and yield of maize.

From economic threshold to economic injury level: Modeling the residual effect and delayed response of pesticide application

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) poses a challenge in determining the optimal timing of pesticide sprays to ensure that pest populations remain below the Economic Injury Level (EIL), due to the long-term residual effects of many pesticides and the delayed responses of pest populations to pesticide sprays. To address this issue, a specific pesticide kill-rate function is incorporated into a deterministic exponential growth model and a subsequent stochastic model. The findings suggest the existence of an optimal pesticide spraying cycle that can periodically control pests below the EIL. The results regarding stochasticity indicate that random fluctuations promote pest extinction and ensure that the pest population, under the optimal cycle, does not exceed the EIL on average, even with a finite number of IPM strategies. All those confirm that the modeling approach can accurately reveal the intrinsic relationship between the two key indicators Economic Threshold and EIL in the IPM strategy, and further realize the precise characterization of the residual effect and delayed response of pesticide application.

Dietary risk assessment of drinking water and fish from cultivated wetlands of Ndop

ABSTRACT This study evaluated pesticide exposure practices, and the potential health risks of drinking water and consuming fish from the cultivated wetlands of Ndop, Cameroon. Six hundred and twenty-six questionnaires were conveniently administered to farmers (≥ 26 years old) in a cross-sectional study to assess exposure practices and dietary risks. The Chi-square and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to establish relationships between variables. The PRIMET model was used to predict a worst-case dietary risk. The pesticide handling practices of 90% of farmers were inadequate. Chlorpyriphos, lambda-cyhalothrin, fipronil, and paraquat dichloride posed a possible dietary risk at recommended and applied doses, with chlorpyrifos having the highest exposure toxicity ratio (ETRdiet = 36.72). Paraquat dichloride, fipronil, and lambda-cyhalothrin posed a possible dietary risk at 26.3%, 58.3%, and 62.2% of their recommended concentrations, respectively. Remarkably, the dietary risk for cypermethrin was acceptable at 5.8 times its recommended dose (ETRdietR = 0.29). The significant positive correlation (p = 0.000) between PECfish and ETRdiet, suggests a possible health risk of consuming fish and drinking water harvested from the wetlands, thus the need for replacing pesticides posing possible risks at lower or recommended concentrations with less toxic alternatives and to train farmers on pesticide application practices.

Convective heat and mass transfer in inclined parallel plates with fractional model: Dusty hybrid nanofluid

AbstractThis paper investigates the flow of a second‐grade viscoelastic fluid with dust particles under hydromagnetic effects between vertical plates. This study investigates the effects of the left plate's oscillations, which induce fluid motion, on heat and mass transfer, and particle temperature. The study also considers the variable temperature and concentration. Mathematical models are developed using partial differential equations to represent the flow regime. To generalize energy and concentration Fick's and Fourier's laws are employed. Laplace and finite Fourier‐Sine transforms are then used to solve the resulting system of dimensionless equations. Finally, Zakian's numerical technique is used in MATHCAD software to compute the Laplace inverse and obtain the final solution. The research concludes that the fractional approach is more realistic and practical than the classical approach. Changes in mass and heat transfer rates, as well as skin friction on the left plate, are observed over time across various physical parameters. Additionally, dust particles can be employed in various applications, including agriculture. In this sector, they can be mixed with water to create a dust suspension, which is subsequently sprayed over crops to enhance the effectiveness of pesticide application.

Bacillus Strains as Effective Biocontrol Agents Against Phytopathogenic Bacteria and Promoters of Plant Growth.

Modern crop production relies on the application of chemical pesticides and fertilizers causing environmental and economic challenges. In response, less environmentally impactful alternatives have emerged such as the use of beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms, particularly plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), have demonstrated their ability to enhance plant growth, protect against various stresses, and reduce the need for chemical inputs. Among the PGPB, Bacillus species have garnered attention due to their adaptability and commercial potential. Recent reports have highlighted Bacillus strains as biocontrol agents against phytopathogenic bacteria while concurrently promoting plant growth. We also examined Bacillus plant growth-promoting abilities in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. In this study, we assessed the potential of various Bacillus strains to control diverse phytopathogenic bacteria and inhibit quorum sensing using Chromobacterium violaceum as a model system. In conclusion, our results suggest that bacteria of the genus Bacillus hold significant potential for biotechnological applications. This includes developments aimed at reducing agrochemical use, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing crop yield and protection.