Pesticide Load Research Articles

Longitudinal Analysis of Honey Bee Colony Health as a Function of Pesticide Exposure

Sixty commercial honey bee colonies were monitored over the course of one year with the goal of assessing potential correlations between measured colony strength and environmental stressors, including exposures to pesticides and pathogens. We developed a new method for assessing colony health by determining the fractional change in population of the four colonies on each pallet between peak population on 1 June and the last population assessment prior to winter on 1 October. This fractional change in population was evaluated as a function of pesticide load per pallet for each of the 37 pesticide chemicals detected, grouping pallets by beekeeper. The analysis of individual chemicals showed that both imidacloprid and cyprodinil were negatively correlated with colony health, while tau-fluvalinate and dinotefuran (at very low concentrations) were positively correlated, possibly because of effects on Varroa control. Exposure to groups of chemicals was also evaluated. Normalization of each chemical concentration to the maximum observed for that chemical provided an equal weighting for each chemical, even though their relative occurrence in the environment and their effective toxicities might differ. A total of 24 chemical groups whose members share a structural commonality, a functional commonality, or suspected synergistic actions were considered, demonstrating negative correlations between colony health and exposures to neonicotinoids as a group and neonicotinoids in combination with (1) methoxyfenozide (2) organophosphates, and (3) diflubenzuron. Analysis of several groups of fungicides applied to almonds during pollination also showed negative correlations with colony health.

Glyphosate formulations cause mortality and diverse sublethal defects during embryonic development of the amphibian Xenopus laevis

The human impact on environmental landscapes, such as land use, climate change or pollution, is threatening global biodiversity and ecosystems maintenance. Pesticides like the herbicide glyphosate have garnered considerable attention due to their well-documented harmful effects on non-target species. During application, the active ingredient glyphosate is utilized in various formulations, each containing different additive adjuvants. However, the possible effects of these formulations on amphibians - the group with the highest decline rates among vertebrates - remain largely unknown.Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of four glyphosate formulations (Glyphosat TF, Durano TF, Helosate 450 TF, Kyleo) on the embryonic development of the model organism Xenopus laevis (South African clawed frog). Embryos at the 2-cell stage were exposed to various concentrations of glyphosate formulations (glyphosate: 0.01 – 100 mg/L), and mortality as well as sublethal effects on different organs and tissues were analyzed. The results indicated that the formulations had different effects, particularly on the mortality of Xenopus laevis embryos. At sublethal concentrations, the formulations altered the embryos' external appearance, leading to malformations such as reduced eye and head size. In addition, exposure to formulations impaired heart morphology and function, and the expression of heart-specific genes was altered at a molecular level.Our results confirmed that glyphosate formulations had a stronger effect on Xenopus laevis embryogenesis than pure glyphosate. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate both, the active ingredient and the co-formulations independently, as well as the combined, commercially available products, during pesticide risk assessments and renewal procedures of agrochemicals. The severe global decline of amphibians, partly due to herbicide use, highlights the need for strict and efficient monitoring of environmental pesticide loads and application areas.

First evidence of age-dependent decreases in non-persistent pesticide mixtures in nestlings of a farmland raptor

Intensive use of synthetic pesticides in conventional agriculture may harm non-target organisms through sublethal effects on life-history traits. Farmland birds are exposed throughout their life cycle, but the fate of non-persistent pesticide mixtures in wild birds remains unknown. In this study, we investigated changes in pesticide contamination levels in Montagu’s harrier (Circus pygargus) nestlings during their growth. In total, 35 chicks were sampled twice during the rearing period, and blood was tested for 116 pesticides to assess pesticide load through two proxies; the number of pesticides detected and the sum of pesticide concentrations. Body mass and tarsus length were also measured to estimate body condition. Across the two sampling times, nine herbicides, five insecticides and four fungicides were detected. Contamination levels decreased significantly with nestling age irrespective of sampling date, and there was no relationship between pesticide load and body condition. Moreover, concentrations of chlorpyrifos-methyl, fenpropidin, metamitron, picloram and S-metolachlor, all detected throughout the rearing period, were unrelated to any of the explanatory variables. However, ethofumesate concentrations decreased significantly with chick age. This study provides the first evidence that non-persistent pesticide mixtures can decrease with age in wild nestlings. This has implications for understanding how chicks are contaminated and provides new insights on pesticide fate within organisms.

Correction to: Higher early than late-season residue load of pesticides in honey bee bread in slovakia

Correction to: Higher early than late-season residue load of pesticides in honey bee bread in slovakia

Pesticides trapping performance of vegetative filter strips in black soil region, Northeast China: controlled experiments and VFSMOD-W modeling

The Northeast black soil region in China is an important grain-producing area where various pesticides are extensively used to increase grain yields. However, this practice poses serious risks to the ecological health of soil and water systems, necessitating effective measures. Vegetative filter strips (VFS) are commonly used to mitigate agricultural diffuse pollutants, but their efficiency varies across different regions, requiring assessment. This study employed flume experiments, the VFSMOD-W model, and redundancy analysis (RDA) to evaluate the efficacy of VFS in runoff, sediment, and pesticide removal, as well as influencing factors. The results showed that VFS reduced outflow rate of runoff by 8 %–64 % and sediment by approximately 90 %, achieving load removal rates of 61 % and 95 % respectively. Pesticide load removal efficiency ranged from 37 % to 94 %, with higher efficiency for adsorbed pesticides like chlorpyrifos compared to water-soluble ones like atrazine. Interflow and vertical seepage were significant pathways for pesticide transport in VFS, with chlorpyrifos concentrations at 4 %–26 % and atrazine at 20 %–37 % of inflow concentrations. The VFSMOD-W model accurately predicted VFS efficiency (NSE > 0.90), and RDA results indicated that environmental factors could explain 86.7 % of the variation in VFS performance, with soil vertical saturated hydraulic conductivity (VKS) being the most influential factor, followed by rainfall intensity (T), saturated soil water content (OS), initial soil water content (OI), and filter slope for each segment (SOA). Optimizing soil moisture characteristic factors and increasing infiltration are crucial for VFS performance. Applying VFSMOD-W for precise VFS design can help reduce construction costs. In the future, long-term field monitoring and evaluation of VFS efficiency after implementation should be conducted in the black soil region of Northeast China to provide data supporting the improvement of VFSMOD-W simulation accuracy. This will also offer recommendations for the government in formulating VFS configuration schemes.

Корневая гниль яровой пшеницы в условиях Зауралья, варианты оперативной защиты

Abstract. Root rot is a harmful and widespread disease of cereal crops. In the conditions of the Urals, Siberia, and Northern Kazakhstan, its causative agents are various species of fungi of the genus Fusarium and the fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana. The purpose of this study was to comparatively determine the effectiveness of microbiological, chemical and combined protection of spring wheat seeds. Field experiments were carried out on the experimental field of the Kurgan Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture – branch of the Ural Federal Agrarian Scientific Research Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kurgan SRIA – branch of FSBSI UrFASRC, UrB of RAS) in 2019, 2021, 2022. Scientific novelty lies in the determining the competitiveness of various methods of protecting spring wheat seeds in the conditions of the Trans-Urals within the framework of modern cultivation technology. The methods used are generally accepted in the Russian Federation. Results. In conditions of almost annual occurrence of negative natural phenomena for the growth and development of plants (droughts, frosts, sudden changes in temperature, dry winds, etc.), the use of seed treaters can be an additional stress for plants; the presence of the effect of shortening the underground internode can negatively affect field germination culture. To reduce these risks, as well as the pesticide load, we recommend using a combined method of seed protection. It involves the use of a mixture of a bacterial fungicide based on Bacillus subtilis with a chemical disinfectant at half the consumption rate. At the same time, the level of control of phytopathogens is maintained, there is no retardant effect, and economic efficiency is not inferior to the level of using a two-component chemical seed protectant (113–114 %). Chemical protection of seeds reduced the development of root rot pathogens by 63–72 %. The use of combined protection provided good control of phytopathogens, including the dominant fungi Fusarium. The predominant species from the genus Fusarium were the highly dangerous F. oxysporum, F. graminearum, F. sporotrichioides.

A means of destroying foci of perennial root shoot weeds with pests and diseases in them

Background. The subject of the study is the technological process of protective spraying of agricultural crops using a combined method against perennial weeds in, foci on the field using two pneumohydraulic devices with slot atomizers as part of an improved small-sized boom sprayer. Aim of research. Development of a technical means for exterminating foci of perennial root shoot weeds with pests and diseases in them. Methods and means. The developed pneumohydraulic devices were used for an improved mounted boom sprayer of plants to treat pockets of perennial weeds in the field. Chemical spraying using the traditional method and developed pneumohydraulic devices with axial fans and 12 V electric motors, ensuring the distribution of droplet liquid on the treatment surface with two sprayers over 4 meters, allows joint use to reduce the amount, of applied drugs compared to traditional technology and reduce the pesticide load on crop plants by point destruction of outbreaks of weeds, pests and diseases. Based on the developed methods, the results of spraying the surface with a drop liquid with a known dispersity were obtained using slot sprayers and controlled liquid pressures with a dial gauge during experiments. Newness. For the first time, a combined method and technical mean of realizing the research goal have been proposed for the destruction of foci of perennial weeds in the field and the diseases and pests of agricultural crops spread in them. Results: When using a mounted sprayer with two containers for working fluids of combined herbicide solutions or in one of the containers for an insecticide solution and installation on the edges of the boom, with a traditional arrangement of slot atomizers, improved pneumohydraulic devices, it is possible to meet agrotechnical requirements for the use of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. The simultaneous impact of large drops of herbicides on weeds and the penetration of small drops into plants will destroy foci of rhizome and root weeds with pests and diseases to ensure favorable conditions for the production of agricultural crops. Conclusions: A combined method and technical mean of chemical treatment of perennial weeds with pests and diseases to create favorable conditions for the production of cultivated plants has been experimentally substantiated. Compliance with the conditions is ensured by equipping the mounted sprayer with two containers, pumps for supplying liquid through hoses to slot atomizers, and installing pneumohydraulic liquid nozzles at the edges of the boom. Working fluid sprayers provide a spraying width of more than 4 m, taking into account the size of the foci, as well as spraying inaccessible areas using traditional technical means. The effectiveness of the developed combined protective spraying of agricultural crops against perennial weeds and pests by technical mean of its implementation lies in the savings of expensive herbicides and insecticides up to 70% in the later stages of their growing season (as they grow over the field area) compared to the forced continuous application of the herbicide over the entire area fields.

One sampler to see it all: The use of APIStrips for beehive characterization and pesticide residue evaluation based on mass spectrometry

Environmental monitoring is crucial for assessing the overall state of the ecosystems in terms of contaminant impact and chemical landscape. The use of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies considerably eases the sampling activities, as honey bees are exposed to a wide range of substances that are transported and accumulated within the beehives. In this work, combining low-resolution and high-resolution mass spectrometry, the APIStrip passive sampler has been employed to evaluate the presence of pesticide residues and the overall characterization of beehive environments. A total of 180 APIStrips have been deployed in 10 Danish apiaries, located in different landscapes, during a five-month sampling period. The targeted methodology for pesticide analysis was based on gas and liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, covering 430 pesticide residues. A total of 29 pesticide residues were identified (fluopyram and azoxystrobin being the most frequently detected), with remarkable differences in the pesticide load between apiaries. For its part, the use of non-targeted approaches through liquid chromatography coupled with an Orbitrap mass spectrometer allowed the detection of unknown compounds that were specific of certain environments. Natural products such as eupatilin and gnaphaliin, which are derived from plant sources, were present exclusively in one of the apiaries. Additionally, the detection of drimane sesquiterpenoids, including compounds potentially originating from the Aspergillus genus, suggests the capability of APIStrips to early detect fungal contamination within beehives. This dual approach of low- and high-resolution mass spectrometry maximizes the analytical potential of APIStrips as a tool capable of detecting a wide range of substances with implications for both agricultural practices and ecological health.

Lung Lesions in Exposure to Pesticides and Herbicides (Literature Review and Case Report)

Pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, zoocides) are mixtures of substances of chemical or biological origin used to destroy or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, fungi, harmful vegetation, and other living organisms. These organisms damage crop and livestock production, degrade the quality of agricultural products, materials, and goods. Pesticides are classified into organic, and inorganic based on their chemical composition. About 1,000 active ingredients are used in pesticides, of which 310 are considered particularly hazardous. Extensive use of pesticides leads to the destruction of biocenoses and the emergence of various pathological changes in the human body. Among the pesticide ingredients with acute and chronic toxicity, abamectin, aluminum phosphide, beta-cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, diazinon, fenamiphos, malathion, methomyl, oxamyl, primicarb, propargite, tebuconazole, chlorothalonil, bromoxynil, bromoxynil octanoate, brodifacoum, and others stand out. In conditions of pesticide load on soils, the frequency of allergic and respiratory diseases is steadily increasing. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), caused by smoking and pesticides, leads to loss of working capacity and social activity, as well as significant costs for treatment and rehabilitation. The article discusses the pathogenetic and clinical aspects of the formation of COPD under conditions of synergy (smoking + pesticides). Various clinical phenotypes of COPD are also considered. A clinical case of a patient with COPD caused by smoking and prolonged contact with pesticides (mosplan, zellek-super, goal 2E), which manifested with chronic respiratory failure, multifocal atherosclerosis, and heart failure, is described.

Attenuation Effect of Azolla spp. on Lambda-Cyhalothrin Toxicity to Aquatic Organisms.

Wetlands play a crucial role in providing valuable ecosystem services, including the removal of various pollutants. In agricultural basins, wetlands are exposed to agrochemical loads. This study aims to assess the attenuation effect of the ubiquitous macrophyte Azolla spp. on the toxicity of lambda-cyhalothrin to sensitive aquatic organisms. An indoor mesocosm experiment was conducted to compare the concentration of lambda-cyhalothrin at different time points after pesticide application in vegetated and unvegetated treatments, including a control without pesticide addition. Toxicity tests were performed throughout the experiment on three organisms: a fish (Cnesterodon decemmaculatus), a macroinvertebrate (Hyalella curvispina), and an amphibian (Boana pulchella). The results demonstrated that lambda-cyhalothrin concentration and toxicity in water were significantly lower in the Azolla spp. treatment. Furthermore, the half-life of lambda-cyhalothrin decreased from 1.2days in the unvegetated treatment to 0.4days in the vegetated treatment. The vegetated treatment also resulted in a significantly lower mortality rate for both H. curvispina and C. decemmaculatus. However, no mortality was observed in B. pulchella for any of the treatments. Sublethal effects were observed in this organism, such as lateral bending of the tail and impairment of the ability to swim, which were attenuated in the vegetated treatment. We conclude that Azolla spp. can effectively reduce the concentration and toxicity of lambda-cyhalothrin, suggesting its potential use in farm-scale best management practices to mitigate the effects of pesticide loads from adjacent crops.

Honey bees and mason bees as biological indicators of landscape pesticide loads: Different results but similar conclusions

Agricultural environments, including crop and non-crop areas, often provide important pollen and nectar resources for managed and wild bees. However, these resources may be contaminated with pesticides detrimental to bees and other non-target organisms, including humans. Differences in life-history traits among bee species influence food resource exploitation and pesticide exposure. This study assesses the potential of honey bees (Apis mellifera) and mason bees (Osmia), two bee species with highly contrasting functional traits, as biological indicators of pesticide exposure in 34 Italian agricultural farms. Pollen loads of both species were used to identify pollen species collected and to analyse multi-residue levels of pesticides. Pesticide risk indexes were calculated for honey bees, mason bees and humans. In mason bees, pesticide risk was not influenced by plant diversity. In agreement with their pollen preferences and short foraging ranges, mason bees collected a high proportion of pollen from flowers of the target crop. Conversely, pesticide risk decreased with increasing pollen diversity in honey bees. In agreement with their generalist foraging habits and long foraging ranges honey bees collected a greater diversity of pollen species and a lower proportion of target crop pollen. Although honey bees and mason bees showed similar toxic loads and pesticide composition, at a field scale pesticide risk of one species is not a good indicator of the risk to the other species. Our study confirms that bees in agricultural environments are pervasively exposed to multi-residue pesticide loads. Exposure is conditioned by specific bee traits but is also highly context-dependent.

Technology and technical means for the implementation of reproduction methods for soil fertility

Soil fertility is determined by the presence of humus as the main part of organic matter. The extended reproduction of soil fertility is ensured by the introduction of organic and mineral fertilizers, the cultivation of sidereal crops and the decomposition of plant residues. (Research purpose) The research purpose is developing the technologies and means of mechanization for extended reproduction of fertility. (Materials and methods) For the joint application of liquid organic fertilizers and the cultivation of siderates, a unit has been developed that implements a hose technology for transporting liquid organic fertilizers. Fertilizers are fed through pressure hose lines to the working parts deep into the soil layer. The combined unit consists of a tractor K-744 Kirovets and an adapter for deep tillage with liquid fertilizers, as well as a seeder for small-seeded crops. To level the surface of the field after the passage of the unit and the sealing of the sown seeds of the sideral culture, the unit is equipped with a tooth roller. (Results and discussion) Formulas for determining the critical processing depth are given, the power calculation of the unit is performed. The design of the tillage tool allows to install flat-cutting working parts with a grip of 0.80 meters and slits with a grip of 0.45 meters. Tests of the combined unit were carried out. The depth of tillage was 36±1 centimeters, the seeding rate of the sideral crop (oilseed radish) was 25 kilograms per hectare, the operating speed range of the unit was from 0.4 to 0.8 meters per second. (Conclusions) The uniformity of the subsurface distribution of organic fertilizers was 90-95 percent. The specific energy intensity of the technological process of the combined unit based on the K-744 tractor for intra-soil fertilization is 40-65 kilowatt hours per hectare (excluding the capacity for pumping fertilizers). Energy consumption depends on the depth of cultivation and resistivity of the soil. The proposed method allows preventing water and wind erosion of the soil, improving its agronomically valuable properties. Reducing the pesticide load on the soil and its microflora contributes to the transition to a model of sustainable agroecosystems, improving and improving crop quality. The proposed technology provides extended reproduction of soil fertility.

Higher early than late-season residue load of pesticides in honey bee bread in Slovakia

Bees are often exposed to pesticide residues during their foraging trips in agricultural landscapes. The analysis of in-hive stored pollen reflects the spectrum of visited plants and can be almost used to link the exposure to pesticides.In the current study, bee bread samples were collected in May and July from 17 sites located in southern Slovakia. Samples were analysed using a multi-residue pesticide analysis method for a broad spectrum of active substances and microscopic for pollen identification.Our results revealed a bee bread contamination with 19 different active substances, with fungicides being predominant. Sixteen of them are authorized in the EU, but chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, and chloridazon are not. The highest concentrations for pendimethalin (1400 µg/kg), fluazifop-butyl (640 µg/kg), fenpropidin (520 µg/kg), fluopyram (130 µg/kg), and difenoconazole (95 µg/kg) were detected. The total residue load in bee bread sampled in the early season (May) was significantly higher than in the late season (July). The mean residue load of insecticides analysed in July comprised 46% of May’s load, which is alarming due to the importance of bee bread in the diet for winter-rearing bees. Moreover, results from both sampling periods showed that fungicides were positively associated with plant families Apiaceae and Papaveraceae and herbicides with Aceraceae, Salicaceae, and Brassica-type/Brassicaceae.Hence, bee bread can be considered a suitable matrix and a good bio-indicator reflecting honey bee exposure to pesticides over the season.

Species specific responses to stressors hamper Trichoptera recovery

Worldwide, aquatic biodiversity is severely threatened as a result of anthropogenic pressures such as pollution, habitat destruction and climate change. Widescale legislation resulted in reduced nutrient- and pesticide loads, and restoration measures allowed modest recovery of freshwater biodiversity. However, from 2010 onwards, recovery in the otherwise unrestored aquatic habitats stagnated. The aim of the present study was therefore to reveal long-term trends in aquatic biodiversity in an anthropogenic landscape and to explain the observed patterns. To this end, over 40 years of biomonitoring data of the indicative taxa group Trichoptera (caddisflies), with an exceptionally high spatial and temporal resolution, was employed. Periods of recovery, stagnation, and decline were delineated using linear and non-linear modelling approaches. Subsequently, species were grouped based on abundance patterns over time and this grouping was used to ascertain species-specific responses to anthropogenic stressors using a trait-based approach. Richness and abundance of all Trichoptera jointly, as well as of the five most abundant and the remaining 136 species, significantly increased from 1980 to significant breakpoints from 2010 onwards, after which these metrics, except the abundances of the 5 most abundant, declined significantly. Trend-based species groupings were not significantly explained by biological traits or ecological preferences. However, Trichoptera species increasing in abundance were less sensitive to climate change and poor water quality, or concerned sensitive species which benefited from restoration measures. Species with stable or declining abundances showed higher sensitivity to climate change. The Trichoptera declining in abundance indicated that conditions in non-protected or restored habitats did not improve due to climate change on top of the other anthropogenic pressures. These observations reinforce the need for increased efforts to improve the only moderately restored water- and habitat quality in anthropogenic landscapes to halt further aquatic ecosystem degradation and to turn biodiversity losses again into recoveries.

Pesticides in water and sediments from natural protected areas of Spain and their associated ecological risk

In the last years, issues related to intensive agriculture have been found in protected areas potentially harming wildlife. This study aimed to analyze a wide range of pesticides in water and sediments of two protected areas namely Doñana Natural Park (DNP) and Tablas de Daimiel National Park (TDNP) performing an environmental risk assessment in order to highlight potential risks to living organisms derived from pesticide burden. Higher pesticide load was found in DNP than TDNP with similar distribution profiles, with pyrethroid insecticides (PYRs) the main detected class. Particularly problematic are two PYRs, cyhalothrin and fenvalerate, which were detected at high concentrations that can pose a high risk to aquatic organisms. In addition, despite being detected at lower concentrations, the presence of chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, and permethrin in water, and of chlorpyrifos, dicofol, and diflufenican in sediments, must be taken into account due to their potential risks for aquatic organisms. Moreover, some banned pesticides such as dimethoate, terbutryn, diazinon, and tricyclazol were detected in water at levels which deserve further investigation to assess their potential sources, including potential illegal practices.

Following Regulation, Imidacloprid Persists and Flupyradifurone Increases in Nontarget Wildlife.

After regulation of pesticides, determination of their persistence in the environment is an important indicator of effectiveness of these measures. We quantified concentrations of two types of systemic insecticides, neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam) and butenolides (flupyradifurone), in off-crop nontarget media of hummingbird cloacal fluid, honey bee (Apis mellifera) nectar and honey, and wildflowers before and after regulation of imidacloprid on highbush blueberries in Canada in April 2021. We found that mean total pesticide load increased in hummingbird cloacal fluid, nectar, and flower samples following imidacloprid regulation. On average, we did not find evidence of a decrease in imidacloprid concentrations after regulation. However, there were some decreases, some increases, and other cases with no changes in imidacloprid levels depending on the specific media, time point of sampling, and site type. At the same time, we found an overall increase in flupyradifurone, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, and thiacloprid but no change in clothianidin concentrations. In particular, flupyradifurone concentrations observed in biota sampled near agricultural areas increased twofold in honey bee nectar, sevenfold in hummingbird cloacal fluid, and eightfold in flowers after the 2021 imidacloprid regulation. The highest residue detected was flupyradifurone at 665 ng/mL (parts per billion [ppb]) in honey bee nectar. Mean total pesticide loads were highest in honey samples (84 ± 10 ppb), followed by nectar (56 ± 7 ppb), then hummingbird cloacal fluid (1.8 ± 0.5 ppb), and least, flowers (0.51 ± 0.06 ppb). Our results highlight that limited regulation of imidacloprid does not immediately reduce residue concentrations, while other systemic insecticides, possibly replacement compounds, concurrently increase in wildlife. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1497-1508. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE DERMAL EFFECT OF PESTICIDES ON PROFESSIONAL CONTINGENTS USING INNOVATIVE 3RIVE 3D TECHNOLOGY

The skin is the most vulnerable organ when spraying pesticides on fields. Farmers are also exposed to pesticides during mixing, loading of pesticides, and when cleaning equipment and disposing of empty containers. The aim. To study and analyze the features of the risk of pesticides dermal exposure to professional contingents during treatments using the innovative 3RIVE 3D pesticide application technology. Materials and methods. The 3RIVE 3D innovative technological system of introducing was used to applicate Brigade 3Rive 3D, SC formulation. Field experiments on the study of working conditions when using the pesticide were conducted in various soil and climatic regions of Eastern Europe. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using a package of licensed statistical programs IBM SPSS StatisticsBase v.22 and MS Excel. Research results and discussion. During the conducted research, no bifenthrin contamination was found on the open skin of the operator and the tractor driver, who were processing corn crops with the Brigade 3Rive 3D, SC formulation. However, the operator's gloves were found to contain 0.025 mg of bifenthrin. Calculation of the unitless CASd value on the possibility of skin acute effects when applying the formulation showed that bifenthrin and the Brigade 3Rive 3D, SC formulation based on it are characterized by sufficient selectivity of action on the target object (CASd – 645 and 162, respectively, i.e. > 100) and a low level of danger acute dermal toxic effects for workers, which is due to low values of effective consumption rates. The real dermal risk of bifenthrin exposure when using the Brigade 3Rive3D, SC formulation was significantly lower compared to the risk of workers involved in “traditional” air treatment and treatment with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (p=0.009-0.048 according to Wilcoxon's W-criterion); in comparison with rod and fan processing – it is non-significantly lower (р=0.262-1.000). There was a similar picture in comparison with the dermal aggravated risk – significantly lower in comparison with the risk of workers involved in “traditional” air treatment and processing with the help of UAVs (p=0.009 according to Wilcoxon's W-criterion); in comparison with rod and fan treatment – non-significantly lower (р=0.262-1.000). Conclusion. It was established that the studied active substance bifenthrin and the Brigade 3Rive 3D, SC formulation based on it are characterized by sufficient selectivity of dermal action on the target object and a low probability of acute dermal effects. A higher probability of acute inhalation poisoning than dermal exposure was revealed.

Ecological and economic evaluation of modern systems for apple tree protection from codling moth

This work substantiates the transition to biorational systems of plantation protection using low-toxic preparations to ensure high-quality yields. Regularities in the development of codling moth in Krasnodar Krai are revealed. During the period of 2021–2023, a 30% increase in the expenditures on protective measures in horticultural organizations of Krasnodar Krai was established. As a result, the production costs grew by an average of 17%, decreasing the entire efficiency of fruit production. This explains the need to develop modern protection systems for perennial plantations. Differentiated approaches to apple-tree protection from pests (on the example of codling moth), which are based on application of low-toxic chemical and biorational preparations according to phytophage development stages, are reviewed. An integrated system for protection of industrial fruit plantations in the Krasnodar Krai against coddling moth is proposed. The advantages of the proposed system over the existing approaches that apply highly toxic chemicals are described. These relate to the possibility of introducing flexible changes in protective measures in accordance with phytosanitary characteristics of orchards, including activation of local apple varieties and use of agrotechnical and biological methods based on toxicological monitoring. An ecological and economic evaluation of the integrated system of fruit plantation protection from codling moth is provided. This system enables a reduction in the background pesticide content in food chains (a 2-fold and 5-fold decrease in soils and fruits, respectively), a 1.3-fold reduction in pesticide load, the preservation of yield by more than 98% while complying with the regulations of ecological agrocenosis safety regulations, a 1.5-fold reduction in production costs, and a 10.5% increase in the product profitability.

Effectiveness of sod and humus soil maintenance and biologized protection in intensive apple orchards (Malus domestica Borkh.) in the south of Russia

Application of intensive technologies in horticulture with a high mechanical and chemical load on soils and fruit plants leads to deterioration of soil properties, environmental pollution, and development of resistance among pathogens and phytophages. In this study, we aim to developing a biologized technology for apple tree cultivation using a sod and humus system of inter-row maintenance and biopreparations based on active strains of microorganisms, entomoacariphages, and pheromones. The research was conducted in 2019-2023 in intensive apple orchards of the central plain-steppe region of Crimea by the methods conventionally used in soil science, agrochemistry, horticulture, and plant protection. The use of a mixture of cereal-legume grasses in combination with microbiological fertilizers based on nitrogen-fixing microorganisms was found to increase apple yields by 11–12 t/ha, or 64 % compared to the control, by increasing the number of fruits and the average weight of one fruit. A positive balance of nutrition elements in soil with an intensity of 135-270 % was established. The efficiency of controlling the number of phytophages and pathogen harmfulness through the integrated use of biological and biotechnical methods was shown. Thus, the “attract-and-kill” method for Cydia pomonella L. pheromones demonstrated a 98 % efficiency along with a reduction in pesticide load to 7.7 kg/ha season by the preparation. Release of phitoseiid mites for control of tetranychus mites by the method of seasonal colonization provides for a reduction and retention of phytophagous population at the economic threshold of harmfulness during the entire vegetation period. The use of fungicides based on pathogenic bacteria of the Bacillus genus and antagonist fungi of the Trichoderma genus against scab is eff ective only in the years unfavorable for the development of the disease. The results obtained form the basis for a biologized resource-saving technology for exploitation of intensive apple orchards. This technology contributes to increased soil fertility, reduced chemical and pesticide load, and increased productivity of horticultural agrocenosis under the conditions of the Crimea and southern Russia.

Organic farming reduces pesticide load in a bird of prey

Human activities have led to the contamination of all environmental compartments worldwide, including bird species. In birds, both the environment and maternal transfer lead to high inter-brood variability in contamination levels of pollutants, whereas intra-brood variability is generally low. However, most existing studies focused on heavy metals or persistent compounds and none, to our knowledge, addressed the variability in contamination levels of multiple pesticides and the factors influencing it. In this study, the number of pesticides detected (of 104 compounds searched) and the sum of their concentrations in the blood of 55 Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus) nestlings from 22 nests sampled in 2021 were used as metrics of contamination levels. We investigated the effect of organic farming at the size of male's home range (i.e., 14 km2) and chicks' sex and hatching order on contamination levels. We did not find a difference between inter-brood and intra-brood variability in pesticide contamination levels, suggesting a different exposure of siblings through food items. While chicks' sex or rank did not affect their contamination level, we found that the percentage of organic farming around the nests significantly decreased the number of pesticides detected, although it did not decrease the total concentrations. This finding highlights the potential role of organic farming in reducing the exposure of birds to a pesticide cocktail.