Tons Of Pesticides Research Articles

ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT OF SUBSTANDARD PESTICIDE RESIDUES AND REMEDIATION AND RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL

In Ukraine, there is still a great number of unused, unidentified and substandard pesticide preparations (PPs) and other toxic substances which have an extremely dangerous impact on humans and other living ecosystems and the environment. Besides, more than 75 thousand tons of pesticides are imported and produced annually in Ukraine, but some of them are not used during the period of their suitability. Consequently, when stored mostly in dilapidated warehouses and repositories of agrochemicals, as well as in the open areas, they fall into underground and ground water, and then through trophic chains into the organisms of living systems, causing severe poisoning and diseases. We note that till now, the problem of unsuitable PPs was solved only in the context of their utilization or export for processing outside the state, while the rest of this ecological problem – the restoration of soils and the remediation of contaminated lands at the state level, is not virtually solved. Therefore, the substantiation of the scientific and practical aspects of environmental safety management of such remediation processes is on time.

Enhancing cinnamon essential oil activity by nanoparticle encapsulation to control seed pathogens

Natural biocides, such as cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) bark essential oil, have enormous potential as antimicrobials but are limited by their volatility and rapid degradation. To counteract this and to prolong the efficacy of the biocide, cinnamaldehyde (CNAD, the main bioactive compound of cinnamon essential oil) was encapsulated into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs). The synthesised CNAD-MSNPs can be used to tackle the issue of global crop loss; every year, more than 40% of global food production (estimated at $500 billion USD) is lost to diseases. This is despite the annual use of over two million tonnes of pesticides. To address seed borne diseases, CNAD-MSNPs were incorporated into a sodium alginate seed coating. As a proof of concept, this system was tested against Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi, the causative agent of pea bacterial blight, and demonstrated to increase the number of symptomless plants by 143.58% twenty days after sowing. Additionally, the concentration of CNAD present in the alginate coating was estimated to be <0.0000034% (v/v); up to 90,000-fold lower than concentrations of free cinnamon oil previously reported to control some bacterial diseases. Furthermore, alginate-treated seeds germinated faster than control plants, and were physiologically similar, demonstrating the dual benefit of this treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to exploit the combined properties of essential oils, alginate and MSNPs as a seed treatment to control bacterial phytopathogens. Moreover, this study proved that the antimicrobial activity of plant products can be significantly enhanced by MSNP encapsulation, allowing volatile biocides, such as essential oils, to be used effectively at very low concentrations to treat and prevent microbial diseases in crops.

Wettability on plant leaf surfaces and its effect on pesticide efficiency

Abstract: A productive and sustainable agricultural system is essential to the existence of human beings.. Although current agricultural practices can produce enough food for feeding nearly eight billion people, they cannot continue to do so sustainably without technological advancement. The amount of resources used in agriculture is staggering. Over three billion tonnes of crops are produced globally each year, requiring nearly four million tonnes of pesticides, 2.7 trillion cubic meters of water (about 70% of all freshwater consumptive use globally). How to improve the efficiencies of pesticides is a mostly concerned topic in sustainable agriculture. Wettability of plant leaf surfaces for retention, adsorption, and filtration of atmospheric pollutants, interception of precipitation, infection of pests and diseases have important implications. Therefore, understanding the interaction between the droplet and target crop leaf surface have significantly influences on pesticide utilization and pest control efficiency. This article summarizes the influences of leaf surface composition, morphology, and external environmental factors on leaf wettability. The chemical composition and structure of leaf surfaces are internal causes, including foliar wax content and morphology, foliar villus quantity, morphology and distribution, stomata and epidermal cell morphology and size, and leaf moisture status. External factors include pesticide composition and pesticide spraying methods that can also influence wettability. As a comprehensive result of the three-phase action of solid, gas, and liquid, wettability is the micro-foundation of understanding the plant interface relationship. Keywords: wettability, pesticide efficiency, pesticide application, crop leaf morphology, leaf surface DOI:  10.33440/j.ijpaa.20200301.62  Citation: Wei J J, Tang Y T, Wang M M, Hua G P, Zhang Y Q, Peng R. Wettability on plant leaf surfaces and its effect on pesticide efficiency.  Int J Precis Agric Aviat, 2020; 3(1): 30–37.

The productivity of agricultural credit in India

AbstractThis study examines the nature of the relationship between formal agricultural credit and agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in India, specifically the role of the former in supporting agricultural growth, using state level panel data covering the period 1995–1996 to 2011–2012. The study uses a mediation analysis framework to map the pathways through which institutional credit relates to agricultural GDP relying on a control function approach to tackle the problem of endogeneity. The findings from the analysis suggest that over this period, all the inputs are highly responsive to an increase in institutional credit to agriculture. A 10% increase in credit flow in nominal terms leads to an increase by 1.7% in fertilizers (N, P, K) consumption in physical quantities, 5.1% increase in the tonnes of pesticides, 10.8% increase in tractor purchases. Overall, it seems quite clear that input use is sensitive to credit flow, whereas GDP of agriculture is not. Credit seems therefore to be an enabling input, but one whose effectiveness is undermined by low technical efficiency and productivity.

Isolation and biochemical characterization of malathion degrading bacteria

Agriculture is the major occupation of people of India, around 60-70% of its population is engaged in agriculture. Annually millions and tons of pesticides are used in fields to have healthy and quality field produce, which in turn accumulates in our ecosystem and food chain as well. The toxicity levels of these pesticides are reported in amphibians, aves, fishes and even human beings. Malathion (S-(1, 2 dicarethoxyethyl)-O, O-dimethyldithiophosphate) causes inhibition of human acetylcholinesterase leading to suffocation succeeded by death. Malathion could be degraded either chemically or biologically. Chemical degradation leads to production of malaxon which is 50 times more toxic then the parent compound. Our present study aims at biodegradation of malathion using enrichment technique. The presence of degradation was confirmed by Thin Layer Chromatography. Further, morphological and biochemical tests were performed on the isolated bacteria which indicated that they might belong to various genera.

Implications of pesticide usage in Nigeria

The occurrence of pesticides in our environment as a result of the indiscriminate or intentional use has resulted in its persistence in the environment, thereby affecting the ecosystems and non target organisms. Acute and chronic pesticide poisoning usually results from consumption of contaminated food, chemical accident in industries and occupational exposure in agriculture. About 15,000 metric tons of pesticides comprising about 135 pesticide chemicals are imported annually into the country. They are the major causes of cancer, cardiovascular disease, dermatitis, birth defects, morbidity, impaired immune function, neurobehavioral disorder and allergy sensitization reaction. In Nigeria, food test carried out on 217 different food items revealed the presence of DDT, Aldrin and Dieldrin to be above maximum allowable concentration level which ranged from 1.2-2160μg kg-1. The detection of these pesticides in soil, drinking water and other animals is of great interest. The failure to establish data-base from past incidents in order to avert future occurrences has posed a huge problem to the society at large. The need for epidemiological data collection from past exposure, development of less toxic pesticides and legal requirement regarding toxicological and ecological effect before the importation of pesticides into the country will further reduce the impact of toxic pesticides on human health in the country.Key words: Pesticides, Environment, Health, Pollution, Nigeria.

Investigation of Environment Changes about a Certain Village in Northern Part of China

With the development of society and economy, the issues of environment have becoming the focus of all around the world, especially in the developing countries. In China, on one hand, villagers' income was rising. On the other hand, the environment was running down gradually: In 2009, pesticides were used by 89% of farmers. Upon 300,000 tons of pesticides were used in the whole country annually. And 60~70% of pesticides were dissolved in waters and soils; 67% of daily rubbishes were discarded arbitrarily by villagers in country; 74% of farmers made use of plastic film, while only 13% of it was cleared completely; the decrease of forest areas that due to the denudation was almost 50% compared with the last 5 years; in villages, many resources were not effectively used. 64% of the villagers did not re-use waste consciously. It can be concluded that protection of the ecological environment in rural areas was urgent. As a sample writer took an investigation in a village.

Pesticides and brain cancer linked in orchard farmers of Kashmir

Background:The atmosphere of valley of Kashmir is ideal for fresh and dry fruit production. Millions of tons of pesticides, insecticides and fungicides (chemicals like chlorpyriphos, mancozeb, captan, dimethoate, phosalone, etc.) are being used by the orchard farmers to spray the plants, fruits and the leaves every year. The increasing trend in the incidence of primary malignant brain tumors in orchard farmers of Kashmir is alarming.Aim:To determine the relationship between the patients of primary malignant brain tumors and their occupation.Materials and Methods:Retrospectively case files along with death certificates of 432 patients of primary malignant brain tumors and 457 controls (non-tumor neurologic diseases), admitted for treatment simultaneously over a period of 4 years from January 2005 to December 2008, to the Department of Neurosurgery, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Kashmir, were studied. Follow-up and family contact was established. The serum cholinesterase activity was measured by kinetic/DGKC calorimetric method and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) samples were sent to the laboratory. The results are expressed in U/l which is U/l×1000. The laboratory at SKIMS, Srinagar, and Dr Lal PathLabs at New Delhi used a reference range for serum cholinesterase as 3167–6333 U/l.Results:Analysis revealed that 90.04% (389 out of 432) patients were orchard-farm workers, orchard residents and orchard playing children exposed to the high levels of multiple types of neurotoxic and carcinogenic (chlorpyriphos, dimethoate, mancozeb and captan) chemicals for more than 10–20 years. About 31.9% (124 out of 389) of these from both sexes were younger than 40 years beginning exposure at an early age and had higher (<6334 U/l) serum cholinesterase (SCE) levels. The 9.96% (43 out of 432) patients were not exposed to pesticides. On the other hand, only 119 patients out of 457 controls had recorded history of pesticide exposure and 338 were unrelated to pesticides. Out of 389 patients, 71.7% (279 out of 389) were males and 28.3% (110 out of 389) including 7 members of three families, 6 were females and 1 male.Conclusion:All orchard-related 389 patients had high grade tumors as compared to the non-pesticide tumors. Mortality in pesticide exposed tumors was 12%. Higher levels of SCE were found in 31.9% (124 out of 389) patients and decreased levels in only 45.3% (176 out of 389) orchard-related patients. The significantcase/control odds ratio (OR) of 0.28, hospital control SCE OR of 1.1 and family control SCE OR of 1.5, points the finger of suspicion toward the link between pesticides and brain cancer.

New Platform of Biosensors for Prescreening of Pesticide Residues To Support Laboratory Analyses†

Millions of tons of pesticides are applied worldwide annually in agriculture. Among them, herbicides such as triazines and ureas, originating from agricultural runoff, can contaminate soils and surface and ground waters with severe toxic effects on humans. Nowadays, different analytical techniques are available for the detection of these chemicals; however, most of them are expensive and time-consuming, especially in the case of routine analyses. For this reason, on the basis of results collected through many years of experience in the field of photosynthetic organisms, we designed a biosensor platform intended for the easy, low-cost, and fast prescreening of photosynthetic herbicides. The platform combines the possibilities of amperometric and optical transduction systems, which have proven to be highly sensitive (limits of detection = 10(-10)-10(-8) M). The use of genetically modified algae strengthens the power of the platform, allowing different subclasses of herbicides to be recognized. The system has been validated for the analysis of environmental water and is proposed to support laboratories involved in the control of water pollution.

Decontamination of pesticide packing using ionizing radiation

The Brazilian agriculture activities have consumed about 288,000 tons of pesticides per year conditioned in about 107,000,000 packing with weight of approximately 23,000 tons. The discharge of empty plastic packing of pesticides can be an environmental concern causing problems to human health, animals, and plants if done without inspection and monitoring. The objective of this work is to study the ionizing radiation effect in the main pesticides used in Brazil for plastic packing decontamination. Among the commercial pesticides, chlorpyrifos has significant importance because of its wide distribution and extensive use and persistence. The radiation-induced degradation of chlorpyrifos in liquid samples and in polyethylene pack was studied by gamma radiolysis. Packing of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) three layer coextruded, named COEX, contaminated with chlorpyrifos, were irradiated using both a multipurpose Co-60 gamma irradiator and a gamma source with 5000 Ci total activity Gamma cell type. The chemical analysis of the chlorpyrifos was made using a gas chromatography associated to the Mass Spectrometry—GCMS from Shimadzu Model QP 5000. Gamma radiation was efficient for removing chlorpyrifos from the plastic packing, in all studied cases.

Cohort Study “Agrican” on the Causes of Death and Cancer Incidence Among French Farmers and Agricultural Workers: Enrolment Step

P-181 Abstract: Occupational exposures could contribute to 2 to 8% of all cancer deaths (from 3 to 12,000 deaths each year in France). Even if farming activities concern more than 1.3 millions people in France and that almost 100,000 tons of pesticides are used each year, very few data are available in our country on the potential impact of occupational exposures on the health of farmers and farm workers. Moreover, many studies conducted mainly in Northern America and Europe have shown that some cancers would be in excess among farmers, especially among pesticide users (leukaemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, melanoma, soft tissue sarcoma, prostate, stomach, lip, ovarian and brain cancers). A large extension of a small cohort of 6,000 farmers initiated in 1995 in the Département du Calvados is currently on-going and concern all active and retired farmers and farm workers identified through the specialized health insurance MSA from all geographical areas (11 départements) with a population-based general cancer registry. The enrolment step of this cohort is currently on-going since November 2005. A self-administered questionnaire is sent to around 570,000 people (see to obtain the questionnaire: http://www.grecan.org/agri/quest%204octobre%202005.pdf). The targeted sample include all individuals aged 18 or older at the 1st January 2005, with a present address in the geographical area of the study and having worked more than 3 years in agricultural activities. The targeted population include overall 51% retired (50% males) and for active individuals, 64% are males. The number of individuals goes from 26,713 (Haut Rhin, East of France) to 92,584 (Gironde, South West of France) depending on the geographical area. The self administered questionnaire has been sent in November 2005 for the 2 first geographical areas and will continue until March 2006. The questionnaire includes information regarding individual characteristics (demographic data allowing the follow-up of individuals, non occupational risk factors like smoking and dietary habits) and occupational exposures from agricultural activities. At the 15th February, the questionnaire has been sent for 7 out of the 11 areas (409,948 individuals) and more than 74,000 have been returned (18% overall crude participation rate). The first sending will be finalized in March but a second sending is planified after having described (during the summer 2005) the participating and non participating individuals for age, sex, farm activities…

Long-term Organochlorine Exposure and Precocious Puberty

SM3-O-02 Introduction: In the early 1960s, a pesticides factory producing HCH, DDT, and other organochlorine compounds located in a rural settlement in a developing country has interrupted its activity. Thousand tons of pesticides remained in the facilities without major control procedures and were used by the population living around the factory. Several endocrine effects associated to organochlorine exposure, including precocious puberty, have been pointed out. Objectives: To ascertain the distribution of the age of menarche among local women according to organochlorine blood levels. Methods: A survey was carried out in the contaminated area, blood samples were collected from the universe (1367 residents) and a questionnaire filled with data on personal and lifestyle (diet, reproductive antecedents, breastfeeding, other) exposures. Blood levels of selected organochlorine pesticides were ascertained by electron capture chromatography. This survey was approved by the an Ethical Committee. Results: Overall population median DDE levels in the area was 26.8 ng/mL and median beta-HCH level was 19.1 ng/mL. Women with menarche at 9 years or younger showed median DDE levels of 36.7 ng/mL compared with 16.7 among those 15 years or older (P < 0.000001). According to beta-HCH, median levels were, respectively, 40 and 18.5 ng/mL (P < 0.000001). Discussion: An important estrogenic effect associated to DDT has been reported in the literature. Immigrating children from developing countries to Belgium have also been reported as presenting high DDE levels, which was associated to precocious puberty. Our study seems to support these results, considering that the observed median organochlorine levels were twice higher among women with menarche 9 years or younger compared with those older than 14 years. Conclusion: Very high organochlorine median blood levels were observed among women with menarche at an early age in an area contaminated by such pesticides.

Pesticide exposure--Indian scene.

Use of pesticides in India began in 1948 when DDT was imported for malaria control and BHC for locust control. India started pesticide production with manufacturing plant for DDT and benzene hexachloride (BHC) (HCH) in the year 1952. In 1958, India was producing over 5000 metric tonnes of pesticides. Currently, there are approximately 145 pesticides registered for use, and production has increased to approximately 85,000 metric tonnes. Rampant use of these chemicals has given rise to several short-term and long-term adverse effects of these chemicals. The first report of poisoning due to pesticides in India came from Kerala in 1958 where, over 100 people died after consuming wheat flour contaminated with parathion. Subsequently several cases of pesticide-poisoning including the Bhopal disaster have been reported. Despite the fact that the consumption of pesticides in India is still very low, about 0.5 kg/ha of pesticides against 6.60 and 12.0 kg/ha in Korea and Japan, respectively, there has been a widespread contamination of food commodities with pesticide residues, basically due to non-judicious use of pesticides. In India, 51% of food commodities are contaminated with pesticide residues and out of these, 20% have pesticides residues above the maximum residue level values on a worldwide basis. It has been observed that their long-term, low-dose exposure are increasingly linked to human health effects such as immune-suppression, hormone disruption, diminished intelligence, reproductive abnormalities, and cancer. In this light, problems of pesticide safety, regulation of pesticide use, use of biotechnology, and biopesticides, and use of pesticides obtained from natural plant sources such as neem extracts are some of the future strategies for minimizing human exposure to pesticides.

Crisis Discourses and Technology Regulation in a Weak State: Responses to a Pesticide Disaster in Honduras

Hurricane Mitch hit Honduras in October 1998, leaving a trail of death, injury and devastating damage. As it tore through the country, the hurricane damaged a number of warehouses which contained pesticides, resulting in the discharge of more than 70 tonnes of pesticides into the environment. This article explores the responses of the Honduran state and international relief agencies to this event. It analyses the use of crisis discourses and their role in the reconstruction process, arguing that crisis discourses may legitimize political rule in the context of a weak state. It goes on to make the point that the shaping of crisis discourses is not the exclusive terrain of politicians but necessarily involves technical experts.

Inhibition of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis by pesticides: is this a partial explanation for the difficulty in isolating this fungus from the soil?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ten pesticides on Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and thereby to investigate the possible association between these data and the difficulty in isolating P. brasiliensis from agricultural soil. Six fungicides (Alto 100, Benlate, Captan, Dithane, Plantacol, Rovral), two herbicides (Pivot, Roundup) and two insecticides (Azodrin and Curacron) were evaluated. Five P. brasiliensis isolates from the environment (labelled group 'N,' for 'nature') and five isolates from patients (group 'P'), were grown on Sabouraud's dextrose agar, at 35 degrees C, with ten different concentrations of each pesticide. The dose of pesticide that causes 50% growth inhibition (ED50) was calculated for each isolate. All pesticides assayed inhibited P. brasiliensis in a dose-dependent manner, and great variability among ED50 values was observed in isolates from both groups. No statistically significant difference was observed between averages of ED50 from groups N and P, except with Alto 100. The inhibitory effect of pesticides on P. brasiliensis suggests that they can interfere with attempts to isolate P. brasiliensis from soil, where tonnes of pesticides are applied over large areas planted with various crops.

A Century of Plant Pathology: A Retrospective View on Understanding Host-Parasite Interactions.

▪ Abstract The twentieth century has been productive for the science of plant pathology and the field of host-parasite interactions-both in understanding how pathogens and plant defense work and in developing more effective means of disease control. Early in the twentieth century, plant pathology adopted a philosophy that encouraged basic scientific investigation of pathogens and disease defense. That philosophy led to the strategy of developing disease-resistant plants as a prima facie disease-control measure-and in the process saved billions of dollars and avoided the use of tons of pesticides. Plant pathology rapidly adopted molecular cloning and its spin-off technologies, and these have fueled major advances in our basic understanding of plant diseases. This knowledge and the development of efficient technologies for producing transgenic plants convey optimism that plant diseases will be more efficiently controlled in the twenty-first century.

Use Patterns and Residual Levels of Organophosphate Pesticides on Vegetables in Trinidad, West Indies

The twin-island state of Trinidad and Tobago produces much of the fresh fruit and vegetables consumed locally, although some are exported to Europe and North America. On average, approximately 1500 tons of pesticides are imported annually, of which about 10-15% are organophosphates. A survey of local farmers revealed that a wide range of pesticides are used and that the same pesticides are used on several crops to control different pests. Application rates exceeding manufacturers' recommendations are also common, as is the disregard of recommended preharvest intervals after pesticide application. Praedial larceny and subsequent sale of freshly sprayed crops also contribute to the risks posed to consumers by pesticide residues. A market basket survey of produce conducted between October 1996 and May 1997 in Trinidad for organophosphate pesticides showed that 10% of produce exceeded the internationally acceptable maximum residue limits (MRLs) for the respective pesticides. Celery constituted 6.5% of all such samples, with over 83% of celery samples exceeding the MRL. Organophosphate pesticides detected were methamidophos, triazophos, prophenofos, diazinon, ethion, pirimiphos methyl, malathion, and dimethoate, with the first 4 being the most commonly detected. There is an urgent need for comprehensive monitoring and control of pesticides on produce by local regulatory agencies, especially because the above data relate only to one class of pesticides. The education of farmers on safe operating practices regarding pesticide application and observation of recommended preharvest intervals for applied pesticides is also required.

Occurrence of Three Pesticides in Community Water Supplies, Kenya

In Kenya, the Pest Products Control Board (PPCB) is responsible for importation and use of pesticides in the country. Between 1985-1987, pesticides worth US $69 million (Ksh 1732.3 million) were imported into the country (Mwanthi and Kimani 1993), while between 1987-1990, a total of 31,234 tons of pesticides (PPCB 1994) were imported. Pesticides are used to control pests for crops like coffee, corn, cotton, and in public health they are used to control disease vectors such as, malaria and yellow fever carrying mosquitoes (Mwanthi and Kimani 1993).

Plant protection: trade and the environment

Plant protection, trade, and a quality environment have complex interrelationships. Despite the annual application of 2.5 million tons of pesticides in the world, pests destroy more than 40% of total potential food production. This represents an enormous loss of food for either consumption or export at a time when more than two billion humans are malnourished in the world. Although worldwide pesticides reduce some losses inflicted by pests, they also cause serious public health and environmental pollution problems which cost about $100 billion per year.

EP-693495 Non-migratory phosphoric ester flame retardants

The Brazilian agriculture activities have consumed about 288,000 tons of pesticides per year conditioned in about 107,000,000 packing with weight of approximately 23,000 tons. The discharge of empty plastic packing of pesticides can be an environmental concern causing problems to human health, animals, and plants if done without inspection and monitoring. The objective of this work is to study the ionizing radiation effect in the main pesticides used in Brazil for plastic packing decontamination. Among the commercial pesticides, chlorpyrifos has significant importance because of its wide distribution and extensive use and persistence. The radiation-induced degradation of chlorpyrifos in liquid samples and in polyethylene pack was studied by gamma radiolysis. Packing of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) three layer coextruded, named COEX, contaminated with chlorpyrifos, were irradiated using both a multipurpose Co-60 gamma irradiator and a gamma source with 5000 Ci total activity Gamma cell type. The chemical analysis of the chlorpyrifos was made using a gas chromatography associated to the Mass Spectrometry—GCMS from Shimadzu Model QP 5000. Gamma radiation was efficient for removing chlorpyrifos from the plastic packing, in all studied cases.