Pesticide Practices Research Articles

Current Status, Challenges, and Perspectives in the Conservation of Native Honeybees and Beekeeping in Cambodia.

The four honeybee species native to Cambodia-Apis dorsata, Apis cerana, Apis florea, and Apis andreniformis-play a vital role in ecosystem health and agricultural productivity through their pollination activities. Beekeeping in Cambodia has primarily developed around the introduced species Apis mellifera. However, it remains underdeveloped compared to neighboring countries, with wild honey collection continuing to play a significant role. Although native bees are not at immediate risk of extinction, their crucial ecological and socio-economic roles, coupled with the threats to their populations, necessitate the urgent implementation of conservation policies. The beekeeping sector in Cambodia faces numerous challenges that hinder its development. These include a lack of documentation and official data, limited access to productive apiaries, inappropriate pesticide practices, insufficient knowledge about bee health, diseases, and parasites, inadequate organization and representation of beekeepers, the high cost of Cambodian honey, and a lack of consumer awareness and trust in local bee products. This paper provides an overview of the status and distribution of honeybee species, along with the production, value chain, and trade of bee products in Cambodia. It examines the challenges of conserving native honeybees and developing the beekeeping sector while proposing strategies to strengthen bee conservation and support the growth of beekeeping in the country. Key recommendations focus on integrating bee conservation strategies with broader conservation goals, such as reducing deforestation, promoting sustainable agriculture, and regulating the consumption of wild bee brood. Key strategies for the development of beekeeping are documenting and conserving bee floral resources and habitats, reducing the use of bee-toxic pesticides, developing research and training capacities in beekeeping, regulating bee imports, and enhancing quality and authenticity testing facilities. Additionally, building capacity among honey value chain stakeholders in areas such as quality control, authenticity, processing, packaging, and marketing is essential.

Impact of irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticide management practices on groundwater and soil health in the rice-wheat cropping system-a comparison of conventional, resource conservation technologies and conservation agriculture.

Agricultural intensification in the Northwestern Indo-Gangetic Plain (NWIGP), a critical food bowl supporting millions of people, is leading to groundwater depletion and soil health degradation. This is primarily driven by conventional cultivation practices in the rice-wheat (RW) cropping system, which dominates over 85% of the IGP. Therefore, this study presents a systematic literature review of input management in the RW system, analyzes district-wise trends, outlines the current status, identifies problems, and proposes sustainable management options to achieve development goals. Our district-wise analysis estimates potential water savings from 20 to 60% by transitioning from flood to drip, sprinkler, laser land leveling, or conservation agriculture (CA). Alongside integrating water-saving technologies with CA, crop switching and recharge infrastructure enhancements are needed for groundwater sustainability. Furthermore, non-adherence with recommended fertilizer and pesticide practices, coupled with residue burning, adversely affects soil health and water quality. CA practices have demonstrated substantial benefits, including increased soil permeability (up to 51%), improved organic carbon content (up to 38%), higher nitrifying bacteria populations (up to 73%), enhanced dehydrogenase activities (up to 70%), and increased arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi populations (up to 56%). The detection of multiple fertilizers and pesticides in groundwater underscores the need for legislative measures and the promotion of sustainable farming practices similar to European Union strategies. Lastly, emphasis should be placed on fostering shifts in farmers' perceptions toward optimizing input utilization. The policy implications of this study extend beyond the NWIGP region to the entire country, stressing the critical importance of proactive measures to increase environmental sustainability.

Knowledge assessment of farmers regarding pesticides and pesticide practices in insect-pest/disease management process of apple

Knowledge assessment of farmers regarding pesticides and pesticide practices in insect-pest/disease management process of apple

Analysis of Health Effects Reported by Agricultural Workers and the Adverse Human Effects Indicated on Pesticide Labels: A Systematic Review

Human pesticide exposure remains a significant issue, impacting both the environment and human health. Occupational pesticide exposure is primarily linked to improper worker practices, often due to a lack of knowledge or difficulty interpreting label information and other technical aspects of pesticide application. This systematic review aims to identify the pesticides most used by agricultural workers, the symptoms they experience due to exposure, and the GHS hazard statements on these pesticide labels. Following the PRISMA guidelines, the search identified 16 articles addressing health effects associated with the most frequently used pesticides. These studies predominantly come from Asia (68.8%), Africa (25%), and America (6.2%), with most pesticides being outside the list approved by the EC. Related symptoms were reported in 80 to 100% of the studies that included these pesticides. An evident relationship has been identified between GHS hazard statements and associated symptoms for certain pesticides. Therefore, companies and public authorities must collaborate to improve workers’ training, particularly in reading and interpreting product labels. Additionally, they must thoroughly explain the risks associated with improper pesticide practices and application to safeguard workers’ health.

Effects of pesticide residues on the growth and yield of vegetables at Navrongo of Ghana

BackgroundThe constant use of pesticides on farmlands is a source of food poison and potential cause of disease to humans in most parts of Africa. The lack of in-depth knowledge on the choices of use of the pesticides and their applications by most farmers in our African communities is a key to unsafe food and unhealthy living. Furthermore, the impact of some of these pesticides on the growth and yield of vegetable crops is largely unexplored. The present research was conducted in the Tono Irrigation Dam area of Navrongo, Ghana, where vegetable cultivation holds substantial economic importance making it a critical aspect of the local economy. In this study, we identified prevalent pesticides used in Navrongo’s vegetable cultivation, quantified pesticide residues present in selected vegetables grown, and assessed the impact of the pesticides on the vegetable crops’ growth and yields.MethodsThirty vegetable farmers at the Tono Irrigation Dam Area, Navrongo were randomly selected, and interviewed face to face. Questionnaires were also employed for data acquisition. Vegetables were sampled by dividing the farmland of each of the vegetable types in to three equal portions, and from each of the three portions, one sample was collected which was then put together with the other two samples as one. The samples were packed in zip-lock bags and kept at a cold temperature (− 20 ℃) before being transferred to the laboratory where they were thawed, homogenized and then subjected to extraction. The extract obtained was subjected to a clean-up process and then analyzed on a GC–MS instrument for pesticide detection and quantification.ResultsThe interview revealed number of years of farmers’ engagemrent in vegetable cultivation from one to ten, and identified four key vegetable varieties grown by the farmers: Capsicum annuum (pepper), Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), Solanum aethiopicum (garden egg) and Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). The data acquired gave identities or names of eight pesticides that are applied on the cultivated vegetables or farmlands by the farmers, and a decision on the vegetables selected for analysis in this study. Furthermore, the study revealed dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), k-optimal, lindane, and lambda-cyhalothrin to be among the pesticides in use, with DDT being a non-degradable, and the most widely applied pesticide. Notably, the DDT, lindane, and hexachlorocyclohexane, residues exceeded safety limits set by the European Commission in pepper, garden egg and okra. Unfortunately, banned pesticides such as heptachlor and aldrin were detected in the cultivated vegetables. More alarmingly, the commonly used DDT and lambda-cyhalothrin in the vegetable cultivation were found to hinder seed germination and seedling vigor in an investigation.ConclusionsThe DDT, lindane, and hexachlorocyclohexane, residues detected in the pepper, garden egg and okra samples that exceeded safety limits render these vegetables unsafe for human consumption. The banned heptachlor and aldrin detected in the vegetables indicate long-lasting environmental contamination. The commonly used DDT and lambda-cyhalothrin in the vegetable cultivation found to hinder seed germination and seedling vigor, indicate their non-degradability and substantial growth impediments. This present study therefore underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and informs pesticide practices to safeguard both crops and public health in the district. We recommend further research be conducted to assess the potential health implications associated with the cultivation and consumption of vegetables in Navrongo, Ghana.

Analytic and In Silico Methods to Understand the Interactions between Dinotefuran and Haemoglobin.

This work lies in the growing concern over the potential impacts of pesticides on human health and the environment. Pesticides are extensively used to protect crops and control pests, but their interaction with essential biomolecules like haemoglobin (Hb) remains poorly understood. Spectrofluorometric, electrochemical, and in silico investigations have been chosen as potential methods to delve into this issue, as they offer valuable insights into the molecular-level interactions between pesticides and haemoglobin. The research aims to address the gaps in knowledge and contribute to developing safer and more sustainable pesticide practices. The interaction was studied by spectroscopic techniques (UV-Visible & Fluorescence), in silico studies (molecular docking & molecular dynamics simulations) and electrochemical techniques (cyclic voltammetry and tafel). The studies showed effective binding of dinotefuran with the Hb which will cause toxicity to human. The formation of a stable molecular complex between ofloxacin and Haemoglobin was shown via molecular docking and the binding energy was found to be -5.37 kcal/mol. Further, molecular dynamics simulations provide an insight for the stability of the complex (Hb-dinotefuran) for a span of 250 ns with a binding free energy of -53.627 kJ/mol. Further, cyclic voltammetry and tafel studies show the interaction of dinotefuran with Hb effectively.

Green pesticide practices and sustainability: empirical insights into agricultural services in China

ABSTRACT In a world grappling with the overuse of pesticides, China emerges as a key consumer and producer, facing substantial challenges in environmental and agricultural sustainability. This study investigates how agricultural services can foster eco-friendly pesticide use among farmers. It leverages data from the ‘China Land Economic Survey’ (2020-2021) by Nanjing Agricultural University, covering 52 villages and 2600 households. Using a multi-dimensional fixed effects model and propensity score matching, the research addresses biases inherent in the data. Results show that agricultural business services significantly boost green pesticide adoption, outperforming agricultural technology and input sectors. These services increase the use of safer pesticides and the recycling of their containers by 11.6% and 6%, respectively. Farmer satisfaction and regular internet use also play a role in reinforcing this trend. Based on these insights, it recommends enhancing support for low-toxicity pesticides and recycling programmes, creating tailored policies for diverse agricultural needs, and implementing resource management and incentive mechanisms to promote sustainable practices. These strategies aim to bolster sustainable agriculture, balancing environmental health with economic viability.

The downside of copper pesticides: An earthworm's perspective.

The widespread use of copper-based pesticides, while effective in controlling plant diseases, has been identified as a major source of copper contamination in soils. This raises concerns about potential adverse effects on earthworms, key players in soil health and ecosystem function. To inform sustainable pesticide practices, this study aimed to establish copper toxicity thresholds for earthworm avoidance in agricultural soils impacted by copper-based pesticides. We collected 40 topsoil samples (0-5cm) from orchards and vineyards in the O'Higgins Region of central Chile, and 10 additional soils under native vegetation as background references. A standardized avoidance bioassay using Eisenia fetida assessed the impact of copper-based pesticides on the soils. Total copper concentrations ranged between 23 and 566mgkg-1, with observed toxic effects on earthworms in certain soils. The effective concentration at 50% (EC50) for total soil copper, determined by Eisenia fetida's avoidance response, was 240mgkg-1, with a 95% confidence interval of 193-341mgkg-1. We further compared our EC50 values with existing data from agricultural soils impacted by mining activities. Interestingly, the results revealed a remarkable similarity between the thresholds for earthworm avoidance, regardless of the source of copper contamination. This observation underscores the universality of copper toxicity in agricultural ecosystems and its potential impact on soil biota. This study provides novel insights into copper toxicity thresholds for earthworms in real-world, pesticide-contaminated soils.

Current status of pesticide practices and management approaches toward the safety and health of Cambodia: A review

Pesticides have been one of the most extensively used throughout the world. In low- and middle-income countries, pesticides are extensively used in agriculture. Agriculture is Cambodia’s most important economic sector. Around 80% of the population lives in rural areas and is mainly involved in subsistence farming. Cambodian farmers use synthetic pesticides to protect their agricultural products from pest infestation. The increase in agricultural products and the rapid population growth have led to the rise of farming pesticides, which causes concerns about the negative impact on environmental issues and food security in Cambodia. The routes of exposure, toxicity, and pesticide residues in daily food intake are all ambiguous in Cambodia. The scientific reports available in Cambodia could be more extensive and consistent. Therefore, this report provides an overview of the current status of pesticide practices in Cambodia and relates knowledge of pesticide use among local farmers. The contents described the risk assessment of pesticide contamination based on the Cambodian local market. In the same way, the pesticides that farmers use were considered extremely hazardous, highly hazardous, or moderately hazardous by the World Health Organization. This study also discussed the integrated pesticide use management approach and the future perspectives for pesticide practices in Cambodia. The review’s findings raised serious concerns regarding environmental safety and human health. Although some pesticides have been banned, most local farmers still use them for agriculture. The study strongly recommends that the Royal Government of Cambodia be provided with a concrete public health policy on pesticide management and suitable training on pesticide applications.

Status of Pesticide Use among Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Crop Farmers in North West Bank, Palestine

The data were collected to diagnose the current status of pesticide use on thyme crops (Thymus vulgaris). In total, 111 questionnaires were used to calculate the means, standard deviation, and percentages of farmers’ responses. Chi-square (χ2) and T-tests were employed to test the associations between pesticide application practices and demographic variables, recipients of extension, sources of farmer information, production, and marketing. The results showed that 69.7% of farmers used 23 insecticides, and 11.8% of the pesticides were not suitable for pest control. Additionally, 73.5% were not compatible with the safety period. There was a 29.2% increase in pesticide concentration from the recommended amount and a 32.4% increase in the number of spraying times during the season. Farmer commitment to pesticide use instructions was moderate, with a mean of 2.8 ± 0.68. In total, 51.4% of farmers received extension services, and 47.2% relied on their local experience for pesticide practices. Extension services influenced the overused dose. Most farmers did not participate in specialized courses or field days, and no regulatory extension was carried out by institutions for them. They did not adhere to a production guide or obtain a quality certificate. The application of different pesticides did not increase the productivity of thyme. The study findings revealed alarming trends in current farmer practices, with significant implications for crop, farmers, and consumer safety. They underscore the pressing need for targeted interventions, including improved extension services and increased farmer awareness to promote responsible pesticide use.

Pesticide screening of surface water and soil along the Mekong River in Cambodia

Widespread use of pesticides globally has led to serious concerns about environmental contamination, particularly with regard to aquatic and soil ecosystems. This work involved investigating concentrations of 64 pesticides in surface-water and soil samples collected in four provinces along the Mekong River in Cambodia during the dry and rainy seasons (276 samples in total), and conducting semi-structured interviews with local farmers about pesticide use. Furthermore, an ecological risk assessment of the detected pesticides was performed. In total, 56 pesticides were detected in surface water and 43 in soil, with individual pesticides reaching maximum concentrations of 1300 ng/L in the surface-water samples (tebufenozide) and 1100 ng/g dry weight in the soil samples (bromophos-ethyl). The semi-structured interviews made it quite evident that the instructions that farmers are provided regarding the use of pesticides are rudimentary, and that overuse is common. The perceived effect of pesticides was seen as an end-point, and there was a limited process of optimally matching pesticides to pests and crops. Several pesticides were used regularly on the same crop, and the period between application and harvest varied. Risk analysis showed that bromophos-ethyl, dichlorvos, and iprobenfos presented a very high risk to aquatic organisms in both the dry and rainy seasons, with risk quotient values of 850 for both seasons, and of 67 in the dry season and 78 in the rainy season for bromophos-ethyl, and 49 in the dry season and 16 in the rainy season for dichlorvos. Overall, this work highlights the occurrence of pesticide residues in surface water and soil along the Mekong River in Cambodia, and emphasizes the urgent need for monitoring and improving pesticide practices and regulations in the region.

Pesticide safety behaviours among agricultural workers and farmers: A cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study is to investigate the pesticide safety behaviours and related factors among cabbage farmers in Kalaw Township, Myanmar. Unsafe chemical pesticide practices affect farmers' health and the environment. Understanding pesticide safety behaviours is necessary for healthcare providers to protect agriculture workers against unwanted adverse health effects. The cross-sectional study was conducted among 195 cabbage farmers from March to May 2019. Safety behaviours and factors applied in the PRECEDE-PROCEDE model as a framework were assessed using questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify any associations. Altogether, 72.1% of the farmers had a low level of safety behaviours. Goggles and masks were rarely used before and during pesticide applications. All of the farmers experienced adverse health effects after using pesticides. The attitudes toward pesticide poisoning; support from family, co-workers and healthcare providers; and the availability of personal protective equipment were significantly associated with safety behaviours. Our data provide novel empirical evidence for an opportunity to design effective nursing interventions to promote pesticide safety behaviours among Myanmar agricultural workers. Nurses should pay more attention to promoting comprehensive interventions to reduce both exposure and health effects among agricultural workers through the involvement of supported stakeholders.

Factors influencing butterfly and bumblebee richness and abundance in gardens

Gardens are often depicted as green sanctuaries, providing refuges for wildlife displaced from the countryside due to intensive farming. While gardens have been recognized for their positive impact on biodiversity conservation, few studies have investigated the impact of pesticide usage in domestic gardens. In this study, we explored how butterfly and bumblebee populations in gardens across the UK are influenced by habitat quality, urbanisation level and pesticide use. To achieve this, we engaged with participants in Garden BirdWatch, a weekly garden wildlife recording scheme operated by the British Trust for Ornithology. Participants in the study provided data on the attributes of their garden and surrounding area and were asked to complete a questionnaire about their pesticide practices. Of the 417 gardens from which we obtained useful data, we found that 32.6 % had pesticides applied to. Urbanisation and garden quality were the main factors influencing insect populations. Butterfly richness was lower in suburban and urban gardens and butterfly abundance lower only in suburban gardens when compared to rural gardens, but this relationship did not hold for bumblebees. Abundance of butterflies and bumblebees, but not their species richness, increased with the habitat quality of gardens. Butterflies were lower in abundance and richness in more northerly gardens, which was not the case for bumblebees. Effects of pesticides were relatively weak, but butterfly richness was 7 % lower in gardens applying any pesticide. Overall, our study shows that garden butterfly and bumblebee abundance and richness are strongly influenced by both extrinsic and intrinsic factors, and that garden management can have an important positive effect on insect population.

South African consumers’ knowledge of genetically modified (GM) food products and influences that affect the purchasing decision of GM foods

Prevailing food insecurity has necessitated the leveraging of alternative food products if the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2), referring to zero hunger for the worldwide population, is to be achieved. Although the production of genetically modified (GM) plant-based crops has been adopted in South Africa (SA), and available for human consumption, a dearth of research exists in respect of SA consumers’ knowledge of, and the influences that affect the purchase of GM food products. An exploratory survey study design included 326 consumers, purposefully selected through snowball sampling from Mooi river, in KwaZulu-Natal province, SA. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to identify underlying drivers for the knowledge and influences on the purchase decisions of GM food products. It was found that although respondents were aware of GM food products and understood the meaning of “genetically modified”, they lacked general knowledge about GM food products, reflected in the minimal scope of their knowledge and uncertainty of GM components present in food products as identified through an EFA. Consideration for purchasing would include the potential to increase food supplies, the reduced usage of pesticides, carcinogenic effects, allergenicity, harmful effect on the environment, longer shelf life and the unnatural development of GM food products. Through EFA, consumption and production implications, consumer advantages, product identification elements, and agricultural pesticide practices were underlying drivers of the influencers of consumers’ GM food product purchasing decisions. Food insecurity could persist if GM consumer education is not re-introduced in SA to address consumer apathy and sense of disengagement towards GM food products. This is attributed to the limited consumer knowledge about GM food products. This study has contributed towards a better understanding of the current consumer perspective on GM food products and what it will take to turn the GM food product aversion into informed consumer decisions and practices. Future research in SA is needed to determine the demographic profile of consumers and how that will influence GM food product purchases in the wake of addressing food security. Key words: food insecurity, food security, GM agriculture, consumer education

A Detailed Survey on Awareness, Knowledge and Practice of Pesticides Used Against Various Vegetables, Fruits and Cereal Crops Grown in and Around Udaipur Region of South Rajasthan, India

The present study was designed to have an insight into the different crops grown, gain information about the different pesticides used, the various practices adopted for the storage, application, and disposal of pesticides, and to know the awareness status of the farmers of in and around Udaipur region regarding the harmful effects of pesticides. An explicit and detailed questionnaire was prepared and formal interviews and field observations were used to gather information on farmers’ knowledge of pesticides and safety practices. The survey was conducted between February, 2021 to September, 2021. The survey questionnaire was developed to document the information regarding types of crops grown, pesticides used, their dosage and application pattern, and associated hazards. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and getting a questionnaire filled by 304 farmers. The target of the study was explained to these respondents and the questionnaire was duly signed to seek their consent in order to ensure their cooperation, which was very important for the study. It was evident from the survey that 59% of respondents had ensured safe storage and 31% stored them in open fields, 59.44% of respondents placed the empty containers in the trash; 11.24% discarded them in the field and 25.30% burnt them at the farm itself, 87.56% respondents ensured that they washed hands properly with soap after using pesticides; 33.31% ensured the use of face mask and 72.54% respondents were aware of pesticide associated risk and contamination and 27.46% didn’t have many ideas about it. The results reveal that the most commonly used pesticides were 2,4-D, profenofos, phorate, atrazine, endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, glyphosate, etc. some of these pesticides are under restricted use and belong to the highly toxic group as classified by World Health Organization. Summing up the results obtained, it is suggested that proper monitoring of pesticides along with awareness amongst the farmers of the Udaipur region is needed to minimize the dangerous effect of pesticides on humans and the environment as 27.46% of respondents which could be either farm owners or

Habitat quality, urbanisation & pesticides influence bird abundance and richness in gardens

Gardens are regularly portrayed as green oases, refuges for wildlife that has been displaced from the countryside by intensive farming practices which have reduced habitat availability. Pesticides are also commonly used in urban areas, but few studies have investigated their impacts. In this study, we explored how bird richness and abundance in gardens across the UK are influenced by habitat quality, urbanisation level and pesticide practices. To achieve this, we collaborated with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) which runs Garden Birdwatch, a citizen-science-based garden bird recording scheme. Participants in the study were asked to complete a questionnaire about their pesticide practice. From the 615 gardens that provided useful data, we found that 32.2 % applied pesticides in their gardens and that glyphosate comprised 53.3 % of these applications. We found that bird abundance and species richness was lower in suburban compared to rural gardens but positively influenced by measures of garden quality and by surrounding habitat quality. We show that there was an interaction between the habitat quality of the surrounding area and pesticide use: negative effects of pesticides on species richness were more pronounced in gardens in areas of high habitat quality compared to those surrounded by poor habitat. We found that pesticide use, and particularly glyphosate and metaldehyde, negatively predicted the abundance of house sparrows, a fast-declining bird species. The average house sparrow abundance was 12.1 % lower in gardens applying any pesticide, 24.9 % lower with glyphosate, and 38.6 % lower with metaldehyde. Overall, our study shows that garden bird abundance and richness is strongly influenced by both extrinsic and intrinsic factors, and suggests that garden management, particularly regarding pesticide use, has a significant effect on bird life.

Delineation of safe groundwater aquifers in a Fluoride contaminated region: Walwa Taluka, Maharashtra

Groundwater aquifer contamination has leads health problems in village areas of Maharashtra, India. In this study, groundwater analysis was carried out for different groundwater parameters along with fluoride to delineate the high and low contaminated fluoride region in the Walwa taluka, Maharashtra. A distinct contaminated regions for high and low F‒ contaminated regions were identified in the collected post monsoon groundwater samples (n = 144). In total 98% samples are unsuitable for consumption. Hydro-geochemistry of the region showed highest anion concentration for bicarbonate (1880 mg/L), whereas highest cation concentration for calcium was measured as 118 mg/L. It is main cause for alkaline groundwater condition in this region. The 2D ordinary kriging results are well corborated with the obtained hydrogeochemistry results. The low F‒ concentration region was found near the Krishna River, whereas high concentration regions were found near the agricultural and high land region. The primary hydrogeochemistry of the region suggests that the geogenic source of F‒ minerals in the region. The practice of fertiliser, herbicides and pesticides on agricultural field suggests that these are the secondary source for groundwater F‒ contamination. The applied numerical groundwater modelling software, provided technically viable and effective decision making-tool for identification of safe region in the study area.

Behavioural incongruities in juvenile Cyprinus carpio exposed to organophosphate compounds

For the ever increasing human population, the necessity to produce the food in large quantities has become the main goal internationally which has led to increase the practice of pesticides globally. Presence of pesticides in aquatic water bodies is largely due to the runoff from agricultural fields causing to deteriorate the healthy characteristics of an aquatic environment system leading to the toxic impact on non-target aquatic organism such as fish. ApproachIn fish, there are various portal of entry through which the contaminants enter. Via various routes, the contaminants reach into the blood and subsequently to different organs or systems. Since Pesticides are known to modify the behavior of animals when exposed to toxic levels. The behavioral changes may be caused by the changes in the nervous system triggered directly or through metabolic or physiological activities. However, the effects have been found to be multifarious and known to differ at different concentrations. Also, Blood is the most accessible component of the vertebrate body fluid system and consequences of direct and indirect damage to blood cells and their precursors are predictable and potentially life threatening. Therefore, behavioural and genotoxicological studies have been considered and used as diagnostic tool in order to investigate behavioural and genotoxicological alterations. This study was undertaken to investigate behavioural changes in Cyprinus carpio exposed to two organophosphate compounds, chlorpyrifos (cpf) and dimethoate (dim). Fishes weighing 10 ± 2 g were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of cpf (0.76 ppb, 1.52 ppb, 2.28 ppb, 3.04 ppb and 3.8 ppb) and dimethoate (0.22 ppm, 0.44 ppm, 0.66 ppm, 0.88 ppm and 1.1 ppm) for the period of 96 h and various behavioural indices were evaluated during that period. Both the pesticides were found to induce behavioral toxicity in fishes such as drop in swimming velocity, reduced swimming activity and retarded opercular movements. Cpf was found more detrimental as compared to dimethoate in all cases. Fishes also elicited a genotoxic response which was evaluated by calculating the frequency of micronuclei formation in their hematocytes after 21 days of exposure. Chlorpyrifos induced more genotoxicity than dimethoate which was found dose and time dependent. ConclusionIt was concluded that the behavioural and genotoxic alterations in common carp could be applied as possible biomarkers in risk assessment and monitoring programs for pesticide contamination of aquatic ecosystems. ContributionThis study is one of its kind and will help to form baseline data.

Pesticide use and practice of local farmers in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia: implications for the environment and health hazards

In this study, pesticide practices and related environmental and health effects were investigated in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia through a farmers’ survey. Questionnaires were distributed to 422 local farmers in the Arsi-Negele, Meki and Ziway areas. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the results of the questionnaire and to identify risk factors associated with environmental and health effects after spraying. The majority of the farmers (44.4–55.0%) stored their pesticides in the kitchen or anywhere in the house, while only 6.5–32.0% of the farmers stored them in a separate place outside the house. A large majority of the farmers (63%) did not use personal protective equipment during pesticide spraying and handling, which was negatively associated with understanding pesticide instructions of the pesticide labels, OR: 0.9; (95% CI:0.82–0.98) in the supervised stepwise backwards selection model. Reading the instructions of the pesticide labels was positively associated with understanding instructions OR: 1.59 (95% CI: 1.0–2.54). The risk for water pollution was higher in the Meki region OR: 1.26 (95% CI: 1.14–1.4) compared to Ziway and Arsi-Negele. Most farmers (66%) experienced discomfort after pesticide spraying and Illnesses from pesticide spraying were more frequently reported by educated farmers. Therefore, proper training in pesticide use in this region could strongly reduce the health risk associated with pesticide exposure

Assessment of pesticide safety knowledge and practices in Vietnam: A cross-sectional study of smallholder farmers in the Mekong Delta

Over the past three decades, the Vietnamese Mekong Delta has experienced a significant increase in agricultural productivity, partly achieved through increased agrochemical use. To abate negative effects on human and environmental health, several national programs were launched to enhance safer pesticide use. This study aimed to assess the patterns and relationships of official sustainable agriculture educational programs, pesticide safety knowledge, and practices of smallholder farmers in the Mekong Delta. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 400 smallholder farmers from three communes in Thoi Lai district (Can Tho province) from March to May 2020. Twenty-four questions on pesticide safety knowledge and practices were used to identify traits using latent class analysis. Adjusted generalized linear regression was used to assess determinants of pesticide safety knowledge and estimate associations of pesticide safety knowledge with pesticide practices. 96.2% of participants have used at least one WHO class II pesticide during the past year while the use of specific personal protective equipment was limited mainly due to unavailability (37.0%) or discomfort (83.0%). High education (Odds Ratio (OR), 95% Confidence Interval; 3.84, 1.70–9.45), exposure to official educational programs (1.87, 1.13–3.12), peer-to-peer knowledge exchange (3.58, 2.18–6.00), and learning from governmental extension services (2.31, 1.14–4.98) were positively associated with increased pesticide safety knowledge. Compared to poor practices, pesticide safety knowledge was increasingly positively associated with intermediate (1.65, 1.02–2.66) and good pesticide practices (8.96, 2.58–31.12). These findings highlight the importance of school education and educational programs, access to PPE, and addressing discomforts of PPE to improve the protection of farmers from pesticide exposures. Simultaneously, pesticide market authorization processes should be reconsidered to promote the authorization of less toxic products. Further in-depth studies on the nature of pesticides used, nonuse of personal protective equipment, and effectiveness of educational programs will further define leverage points for safer pesticide use.