Pesticide Safety Research Articles

Awareness on Pesticide Exposure and Safety Practices at Himalaya Tea Estate Damak-4

Pest control is one of the major problems in tea plantation and may exert harmful impact to the environment and health if unhealthy practice prevails. Himalaya Tea estate situated in Damak cover a huge area of about 500 hectors of land where agricultural activity is continuously performed over years. This study was done to examine awareness on safety practices and use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) while handling pesticides by the workers in the Himalaya tea estate. For this a structured closed ended questionnaire survey was conducted among 30 respondents who were randomly sampled and an unstructured open ended key informant survey was conducted among the parties concerned with the subject from administrative level. This was supported by field observation.
 From the study it was found that among many Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques of pest control chemical method was being practiced in the study area. Similarly during the survey safety and awareness it was revealed that despite of the availability PPE, none were found using a full set of it. Similarly majority of field workers i.e. nearly 99% were found unaware about IPM, Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), toxicity, banned pesticides, classes of pesticides etc. and had never taken any training related to the subject. During key informant survey it was revealed that the workers of administrative level had taken a few training programs. This highlights the gap in communication between them and suggests the need of awareness raising training programs regarding IPM and related topics among all level of workers.

Fate of Iprobenfos and Tricyclazole at Paddy Cultivation Environment

Objectives : This study aimed to identify the fate of iprobenfos and tricyclazole in the soil and paddy water during the rice cultivation process and to identify their exposure pathways into surface water.Methods : Both iprobenfos and tricyclazole were sprayed onto two sample sites following the pesticide safety usage guidelines. Residues in the samples. Soil, paddy water, and drainage water samples were collected for 28 days after post-application. Residues were subsequently analyzed using LC-MS/MS.Results and Discussion : The fate of the two pesticides, iprobenfos and tricyclazole, in the rice cultivation environment was influenced by factors such as soil half-life, Koc, water solubility, formulation, and precipitation patterns. Initial concentrations of iprobenfos and tricyclazole in the paddy field near the drainage were 5,774 μg/L and 307 μg/L, respectively, while concentrations in the drain water were 1,850 μg/L and 182 μg/L. Four days after application, the residual concentrations of iprobenfos and tricyclazole in both paddy and drain water ranged from N.D. (Not Detected) to 5.6 μg/L and N.D. to 56 μg/L, respectively, indicating a rapid decline. During the experimental period, the average concentration reduction ratios in drain water near the drainage compared to the drain water were higher for tricyclazole (90%) than for iprobenfos (52%).Conclusion : The soil and water half-life of tricyclazole exceeded that of iprobenfos, leading to a slower rate of concentration reduction. The lower Koc value for tricyclazole suggests enhanced soil desorption due to rainfall, increasing its concentration in paddy fields. The presence of iprobenfos and tricyclazole in surface water is likely due to dispersion during pesticide application. While concentrations diminish owing to the dilution effect when water moves from paddy fields to surface water, it's posited that runoff could affect nearby stream water within seven days post-application.

Evaluation of the Insecticidal Efficacy of Aloe vera L. Leaf Powder on Adult Bean Weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus (F.))

In Sub-Saharan Africa, Callosobruchus maculatus is a significant pest that grossly reduces cowpea yield, leading to economic crop losses and shortages in cowpea supply. Traditional plant powders prepared from indigenous plant parts have been used to provide ecologically tolerable and potentially safe pesticides against this pest. This study evaluated the insecticidal efficiency of Aloe vera leaf powder against adult C. maculatus in cowpea. The toxicity of A. vera leaf powder was assessed using contact toxicity method in cowpea variety black eye at 48 hours and 30 days post treatment. Seed damage rate of C. maculatus was assessed at six treatments (0g/20g, 0.5 g/20 g, 1.0 g/20 g, 1.5 g/20 g, 2.0 g/20 g and 2.5 g/20 g cowpea seeds) using a randomized design, estimating parameters like percentage damage, seed weight loss and adult exit hole after 30 days. The study found no mortality of C. maculatus after 48 hours of infested cowpea seed exposure to A. vera leaf powder. However, a concentration dependent increase in toxicity and decrease in seed damage was observed after 30 days exposure to A. vera leaf powder. Furthermore, maximum mortality of 10.33%, resulting in a 3.33% seed damage reduction, was observed at 2.0 grams of A. vera treatment. The results suggest that A. vera has a low insecticidal effects and low efficacy in protecting against C. maculatus seed damage rates. The bioactive chemicals of the A. vera leaf extracts should be explored to create a potent biopesticide for preventing cowpea loss and enhancing food security.

The Gender Differential Analysis: Knowledge, Attitude, Practices and Aspirations of Pesticide Use Among Cocoa Farmers In Asamankese Cocoa District, Ghana

Attempts to attain flawless agricultural production are still hampered by a range of restrictive factors including water scarcity, climate change, plant pests and diseases. Worries about the negative and unpleasant repercussions of pesticides on health are evolving in developing countries including Ghana. Cocoa farmers’ knowledge awareness, attitude, practices and skills in handling pesticides and the potential hazards it poses to them are vital in preventing pesticide exposure and hazards. This study examines the knowledge, attitudes, practices and aspiration of cocoa farmers in Ghana regarding pesticide use and the potential hazards it poses to their health. The paper highlights the importance of understanding the diverse roles and perspectives of male and female farmers in agricultural production. The study uses a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional descriptive approach to analyze data from 364 cocoa farmers in the Asamankese Cocoa District. The study found that both male and female cocoa farmers have a positive attitude towards pesticide usage, and their knowledge of pesticide handling practices is adequate. The study also found that male and female farmers have different levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding pesticide use. The findings suggest that there is a need for increased awareness and education on safe pesticide handling practices to prevent pesticide exposure and its negative health effects on farmers.

Design and Synthesis of a Water-Based Nanodelivery Pesticide System for Improved Efficacy and Safety.

Developing an environmentally friendly and safe nanodelivery system is crucial to improve the efficacy of pesticides and minimize environmental and health risks. However, preparing a completely water-based nanopesticide without using harmful solvents is a technical challenge. In this study, a water-based nanodelivery pesticide system was constructed to improve the efficacy and safety of Emamectin Benzoate (EB). A specific surfactant, 29-(4-(5-hydroxynonan-5-yl)phenoxy)-3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27-nonaoxanonacosan-1-ol (SurEB) was designed and synthesized to form a water-based nanodelivery system (EBWNS) with EB. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the self-assembly and interaction forces between SurEB and EB in water, providing insights into the formation mechanism of EBWNS nanoparticles. The nanodelivery system showed the prolonged effectivity of EB with reduced degradation and demonstrated a good control efficacy for multiple target pests, such as red spider mite, beet armyworm larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and rice stem borers (Chilo suppressalis). Toxicology tests on various objects demonstrated that the EBWNS has low toxicity for seeds, HaCaT cells, zebrafish, earthworm, and E. coli. This study provides a distinctive perspective for developing environmentally friendly nanopesticide formulations, which clarified a water-based treatment method for specific lipid-soluble pesticides. The water-based nanodelivery pesticide system has the potential to improve the efficacy and safety of pesticides in the process of field applications.

Status and Perspective on Green Pesticide Utilizations and Food Security.

Pesticides protect crops against pests, and green pesticides are referred to as effective, safe, and eco-friendly pesticides that are sustainably synthesized and manufactured (i.e., green chemistry production). Owing to their high efficacy, safety, and ecological compatibility, green pesticides have become a main direction of global pesticide research and development (R&D). Green pesticides attract attention because of their close association with the quality and safety of agricultural produce. In this review, we briefly define green pesticides and outline their significance, current registration, commercialization, and applications in China, the European Union, and the United States. Subsequently, we engage in an in-depth analysis of the impact of newly launched green pesticides on the environment and ecosystems. Finally, we focus on the potential risks of dietary exposure to green pesticides and the possible hazards of chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity. The status of and perspective on green pesticides can hopefully inspire green pesticide R&D and applications to ensure agricultural production and safeguard human and ecological health.

Foeniculum vulgare essential oil nanoemulsion inhibits Fusarium oxysporum causing Panax notoginseng root-rot disease

BackgroundFusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum) is the primary pathogenic fungus that causes Panax notoginseng (P. notoginseng) root rot disease. To control the disease, safe and efficient antifungal pesticides must currently be developed. MethodsIn this study, we prepared and characterized a nanoemulsion of Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (Ne-FvEO) using ultrasonic technology and evaluated its stability. Traditional Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (T-FvEO) was prepared simultaneously with 1/1000 Tween-80 and 20/1000 dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The effects and inhibitory mechanism of Ne-FvEO and T-FvEO in F. oxysporum were investigated through combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses. ResultsResults showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Ne-FvEO decreased from 3.65 mg/mL to 0.35 mg/mL, and its bioavailability increased by 10-fold. The results of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) showed that T-FvEO did not contain a high content of estragole compared to Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (FvEO) and Ne-FvEO. Combined metabolome and transcriptome analysis showed that both emulsions inhibited the growth and development of F. oxysporum through the synthesis of the cell wall and cell membrane, energy metabolism, and genetic information of F. oxysporum mycelium. Ne-FvEO also inhibited the expression of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase and reduced the content of 2-oxoglutarate, which inhibited the germination of spores. ConclusionOur findings suggest that Ne-FvEO effectively inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum in P. notoginseng in vivo. The findings contribute to our comprehension of the antifungal mechanism of essential oils (EOs) and lay the groundwork for the creation of plant-derived antifungal medicines.

Characterization of a novel RNAi yeast insecticide that silences mosquito 5-HT1 receptor genes

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which regulate numerous intracellular signaling cascades that mediate many essential physiological processes, are attractive yet underexploited insecticide targets. RNA interference (RNAi) technology could facilitate the custom design of environmentally safe pesticides that target GPCRs in select target pests yet are not toxic to non-target species. This study investigates the hypothesis that an RNAi yeast insecticide designed to silence mosquito serotonin receptor 1 (5-HTR1) genes can kill mosquitoes without harming non-target arthropods. 5-HTR.426, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain that expresses an shRNA targeting a site specifically conserved in mosquito 5-HTR1 genes, was generated. The yeast can be heat-inactivated and delivered to mosquito larvae as ready-to-use tablets or to adult mosquitoes using attractive targeted sugar baits (ATSBs). The results of laboratory and outdoor semi-field trials demonstrated that consumption of 5-HTR.426 yeast results in highly significant mortality rates in Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex mosquito larvae and adults. Yeast consumption resulted in significant 5-HTR1 silencing and severe neural defects in the mosquito brain but was not found to be toxic to non-target arthropods. These results indicate that RNAi insecticide technology can facilitate selective targeting of GPCRs in intended pests without impacting GPCR activity in non-targeted organisms. In future studies, scaled production of yeast expressing the 5-HTR.426 RNAi insecticide could facilitate field trials to further evaluate this promising new mosquito control intervention.

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.

Effectiveness and Safety of Pesticides in Protecting Sunflowers from Pests

Effectiveness and Safety of Pesticides in Protecting Sunflowers from Pests

Insect α-Amylases and Their Application in Pest Management.

Amylase is an indispensable hydrolase in insect growth and development. Its varied enzymatic parameters cause insects to have strong stress resistance. Amylase gene replication is a very common phenomenon in insects, and different copies of amylase genes enable changes in its location and function. In addition, the classification, structure, and interaction between insect amylase inhibitors and amylases have also invoked the attention of researchers. Some plant-derived amylase inhibitors have inhibitory activities against insect amylases and even mammalian amylases. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have clarified the effects of pesticides on the amylase activity of target and non-target pests, which provides a theoretical basis for exploring safe and efficient pesticides, while the exact lethal mechanisms and safety in field applications remain unclear. Here, we summarize the most recent advances in insect amylase studies, including its sequence and characteristics and the regulation of amylase inhibitors (α-AIs). Importantly, the application of amylases as the nanocide trigger, RNAi, or other kinds of pesticide targets will be discussed. A comprehensive foundation will be provided for applying insect amylases to the development of new-generation insect management tools and improving the specificity, stability, and safety of pesticides.

The Comparison of Tolerance Capability of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria to Chemical and Biological Pesticides

Due to concerns about the adverse effects of synthetic pesticides on the environment and human health, there is a growing preference for environmentally friendly and safe pesticides. However, hard evidence to verify their low-risk characteristics is scarce. This work attempted to compare the effects of a chemical pesticide (alpha-cypermethrin) and a biopesticide (emamectin benzoate) on the growth of indigenous nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of bean plant samples obtained from farmers? fields where these two pesticides were sprayed on bean crops. The results revealed that at the field-recommended concentration of both pesticides, the growth of the isolates in both nutrient-rich and nitrogen-free media remained largely unaffected. However, the bacteria?s absolute growth inhibition was recorded as the pesticide concentration increased. When the Tryptic Soy Broth medium was supplemented with a pesticide concentration 10 times higher than the recommended dose, up to 85.7% of the isolated strains were completely inhibited in growth when exposed to alpha-cypermethrin. In contrast, only 17.9% of bacterial strains were completely inhibited when exposed to emamectin benzoate. In a nitrogen-free medium, the proportion of inhibited bacteria was absolute when the medium was supplemented with alpha-cypermethrin and emamectin benzoate at a dosage 10 times higher than the recommended concentration, which reached 92.9% and 28.6%, respectively. The strains that exhibited higher tolerance to both pesticides were identified as Niallia nealsonii ND15 and Rhizobium subbaraonis ND27. Our findings emphasize the importance of minimizing pesticide accumulation in the soil to protect the viability of soil-beneficial bacteria and ensure soil quality for safe and sustainable crop production.. KEYWORDS :Alpha-cypermethrin, Emamectin benzoate, N-fixing bacteria, Pesticides tolerance, Toxicity assessment

Farmer’s Attitudes on pesticide-use and pest-management practices: A case study of vegetable-cultivators in the vicinity of Lucknow, India

For effective pest management, farmer’s awareness of pesticide toxicity and its safe application is crucial. The use of pesticides in vegetables and fruits is increasing day by day. To assess the awareness of the vegetable and cereal growers in Uttar Pradesh, India on the safety and toxicity management of chemical pesticides, a household survey was carried out using a well-structured questionnaire. According to our survey and observation, more than 99% of farmers preferred chemical pesticides to other alternative approaches for controlling pests. Notably, 80% of farmers were unaware of the harmful consequences that chemical pesticides have on human health and the environment. Nearly 40% of farmers had at least some brief training in integrated pest management (i.e., Communicated through the Kisan Mela and agricultural experts), however, none of them were conscious of the negative effects of pesticide residue or appropriate disposal strategies. For technical information on the selection, handling, and use of pesticides, more than 90% of growers seem to be dependent on local pesticide retailers, radio, and television. The report emphasized the necessity of establishing strict pesticide use rules and awareness campaigns on pesticide selection, its disposal methods, and its toxicity to humans, animals, and overall agrobiodiversity.

How does social learning influence Chinese farmers’ safe pesticide use behavior? An analysis based on a moderated mediation effect

Green production in agriculture is a critical project for achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using pesticide safety as an entry point, this paper explores safe agricultural production and proposes initiatives from the origin source, which are essential to address multiple SDGs, including food security, health, and the environment. Using research data encompassing 612 peasant households in Sichuan province, China, this paper examines the mechanisms of social learning on farmers' safe pesticide use behavior employing exploratory factor analysis, Oprobit model, and Bootstrap method. The results show that social learning has significantly positive effects on farmers' safe pesticide use behavior, with each additional point of social learning contributing to a 3.411% increase in the chance of taking 6 safe pesticide use behavior. The effect sizes of different social learning styles were in the order of role demonstration, neighborhood communication, and participation in training, but proactive learning by consulting did not work significantly. Furthermore, perceived value has a positive mediation effect in social learning to impact farmers' safe pesticide use behavior, accounting for 34.53% of mediation effect. Finally, the market conditions can positively moderate the mediation effect of perceived value on farmers' safe pesticide use behavior, i.e., the better the accessibility to green production materials, marking and pricing stabilization, the stronger the effect of perceived value on safe pesticide use behavior. However, information access doesn't work that way. Therefore, in the future, the government must encourage farmers to participate in social learning and improve their perceived value, as well as play a macro-control role and fulfill market conditions.

Effectiveness and Safety of Pesticides in Protecting Sunflowers from Pests

The analysis of the current state and trends in the development of the range of pesticides allowed for use in sunflower crops is presented. Based on the results of studies conducted in 3 soil-climatic zones of the country, the possibilities are reasoned and priorities are determined for improving the range of drugs to protect this crop from the main harmful organisms, the main of which is an increase in the share of combined and domestic drugs. At the same time, the biological effectiveness of protection measures against certain types of pests, major diseases and weeds is specified, and the characteristics of the latest developments in methods for controlling residual amounts of a number of active substances of pesticides used in the protection of sunflower are presented. Based on the results of field experiments, it was found that at present the level of biological efficiency in protecting the main oilseed crop from pests is characterized in most cases by indicators close to 80%, from diseases – varies in the range of 60–75% and from weeds – reaches 90% in combination with a decrease in their raw mass to 95%.

Farmers’ understanding on pesticide safety labels in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Farmers’ understanding on pesticide safety labels in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid induces chemosensory deficits in a nontarget parasitoid wasp

Chemical pesticides are widely used to manage the population of arthropod pests. Their increasing use in agriculture has raised concerns about their harmful effects on nontarget organisms, particularly some beneficial insects such as parasitoid wasps. To assess the potential risk and ecological safety of chemical pesticides, it is necessary to understand their impacts on the physiology and behaviour of those important natural enemies of arthropod pests. Here, we applied the Drosophila parasitoid Leptopilina drosophilae as a study model to investigate the effects of sublethal doses of imidacloprid, a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide. Our results demonstrated the detrimental effects of imidacloprid on the host-searching behaviour of L. drosophilae females and the courtship behaviour of L. drosophilae males. Comparative transcriptome and functional analysis provided further insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the impaired behaviours, with the downregulated expression of certain chemoreception genes in both female and male exposed wasps. Our findings thus emphasize the importance of understanding the risks associated with the use of chemical pesticides and the need to develop more eco-friendly pest management strategies for a sustainable balance between chemical and biological control.

Efficacy and Potential Mechanism of Essential Oils of Three Labiatae Plants against the Pathogenic Fungi of Root Rot Disease in Atractylodes chinensis

Atractylodes chinensis has a high medicinal value and is widely cultivated. However, root rot disease seriously affects the yield and quality of A. chinensis. To develop green and safe pesticides, the inhibitory effect of essential oils (EOs) of three Labiatae plants on the pathogenic fungi that causes root rot disease in Atractylodes chinensis was investigated. The results showed that the Origanum vulgare EO and Thymus mongolicus EO exhibited strong inhibitory effects on Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Fusarium redolens, with 100% inhibition rate. The low MIC values of EOs and their main components against the three pathogenic fungi indicated that all of them showed strong fungicidal effects. The MIC values of O. vulgare EO against F. oxysporum, F. solani, and F. redolens were 2.60 mg/mL, 3.13 mg/mL, and 1.56 mg/mL, respectively. Analyses using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the O. vulgare EO severely damaged the cell wall and cell membrane of mycelial cells. The O. vulgare EO increased cell permeability, leading to a large leakage of cell contents (DNA and proteins). In addition, O. vulgare EO inhibited F. oxysporum by inducing ROS production and reducing the amount of intracellular GSH, leading to a large accumulation of ROS. This study showed that plant EOs have excellent fungicidal activity and can be used as novel natural and environmentally friendly pesticides for the control of root rot in A. chinensis.

Establishment of Analyzing Method of Fenpropathrin Residue in Angelica dahurica Radix and Osterici Radix

Background: Angelica dahurica Radix and Osterici radix, are perennial herbs belonging to the family Umbelliferae, which were attacked by red spiders, thus fenpropathrin was registered. Fenpropathrin is important in improving productivity and quality of medicinal herbs due to timely pest control. However, residue may likely remain after harvest, and therefore, the residue analysis is important to ensure pesticides safety management. Objective: This study aimed to establish analysis method for fenpropathrin residues in A. dahurica Radix and O. radix using GLC-ECD and GC-MS/MS. Methods: Samples were moisturized with distilled-water and extracted with acetonitrile. The interferences were removed using SPE cartridges and analyzed by GLC-ECD and GC-MS/MS. Results: Based on pre-experiment results, the analysis method was optimized using double-cleanup method (SPE-GCB/NH2 & SPE silica cartridges). Fenpropathrin peak confirmed by GC-MS at the same retention time and with its mass numbers. Nevertheless, the cleanup processes are laborious and require a rather long time. Thus, additional effortless analysis method was developed using the d-SPE method that can apply to highly selective and sensitive GC-MS/MS. The LOD of GC-ECD and GC-MS/MS was 0.1 and 0.01 ng, respectively. While the LOQ was 0.04 mg/kg for both. Linearity (r2) was > 0.998 (GLC-ECD) and 0.999 (GC-MS/MS). The recoveries at three spiking levels ranged 83.6-103.1% and 89.6-98.0% for A. dahurica Radix and O. radix, respectively. Conclusion: Accuracy of the improved method met the standard of the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Therefore, the developed methods expected to be used for analyzing pesticide residues in herbal medicines in Korea and other countries.

Pesticide Safety in Greek Plant Foods from the Consumer Perspective: The Importance of Reliable Information

Greek consumers perceive an increased risk of pesticide residues in food. This study examined Greek consumers’ perceptions of the safety of Greek plant-based food compared to those from other EU countries. One-half of Greek consumers believe Greek food is as safe as other European foods, while the other half disagree. According to a principal component analysis and a bivariate logistic regression, several factors, such as the perceived safety of plant foods, education, age, gender, traceability, perceived benefits and risks of pesticides, actual pesticide use, and authoritative information sources, influence this attitude. Authoritative knowledge in this field can reduce risk perception and improve Greek consumers’ attitudes towards food safety. The latent class analysis identified two categories of consumers. The first class receives limited information about pesticides, leading to lower perceived pesticide benefits, higher mistrust of traceability, and concerns about pesticide residues. In contrast, the second class actively searches for information from credible sources, endorses the Greek plant foods safety, acknowledges the pesticide benefits, and trusts traceability. Official information is associated with reduced risk perception. Regulators should consider the impact of sociodemographic and other intrinsic characteristics on individuals’ risk perceptions and prioritise transparency in risk communication strategies.