Commercial Agrochemicals Research Articles

Trace element inputs into soils by anthropogenic activities and implications for human health

Trace element definition and functions, and inputs into soils from the most important anthropogenic sources, related and not related to agricultural practices, of general and local or incidental concern, are discussed in the first part of this review. Trace element inputs include those from commercial fertilizers, liming materials and agrochemicals, sewage sludges and other wastes used as soil amendments, irrigation waters, and atmospheric depositions from urban, industrial, and other sources. In the second part of the review, the most important ascertained effects of soil trace elements on human health are presented. The possible relations found between some specific soil trace elements, such as Cd, Se, As and others, and cancer incidence and mortality, and diffusion of other important human diseases are reviewed. Brief conclusions and recommendations conclude this review.

Commercial Agriculture and Agrochemicals in Almolonga, Guatemala

Commercial Agriculture and Agrochemicals in Almolonga, Guatemala

Commercial Agriculture and Agrochemicals in Almolonga, Guatemala

Large amounts of synthetic pesticides are used in Guatemala to increase the production of nontraditional crops. Almolonga, a township in the western highlands, produces vegetables for markets in Mexico and Central America. Almolongueños make intensive use of limited cultivable land and abundant water resources, as well as sizable amounts of synthetic pesticides. Among Almolongueños, congenital malformations, cancer, anemia, and respiratory infections await substantiated links to exposure to pesticides. The prevalence of infectious and parasitic diseases and nutritional deficiencies—the dominant health concerns—may be heightened by excessive use of pesticides. Public‐health initiatives involve the rational use of pesticides or their elimination.

Synthesis of 2,5-Disubstituted 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles and Their Precursors

The characteristic feature of many commercial agrochemicals and drugs is the 5-nitro-2-furyl or 2,5-dimethyl-3-furyl building block. Within the scope of our research aimed at utilization of dipolar cycloaddition reactions to prepare new compounds with potential biological and phytoeffectorial activity, we report on the synthesis of some substituted hydrazones I and their intramolecular cycloaddition to 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles II. The basic IR, 1H NMR as well as mass spectral data of final products are presented.