Use Of Pesticides Research Articles

Assessment of the Farmers’ Knowledge on Pesticide Usage and Classification of the Types of Pesticides Used in the Farms along Thiba River Catchment Area, Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kirinyaga County, Kenya

The aim of the study was to assess the farmers’ knowledge on the safe use of pesticides, to identify the types and classify pesticides used to control pests and diseases in the catchment area using structured questionnaire, face to face interview, and focus group discussion. This was done in February and May, 2021 representing the dry and wet seasons respectively. The farmers applied 12 different pesticides, under different trade names and active ingredient. World Health Organization class Type II of the pesticides were used by 50 %, class III and IV by 25% of the farmers respectively. The WHO, Type II pesticides are considered to be toxic when manufacturers’ specifications are not adhered to and Type III are slightly toxic while IV are not toxic. Chlorpyrifos was the highest used pesticide by 72 % of the farmers followed by Lambda-cyhalothrin at 60 % while the least was Copper hydroxide by 40 %.

Occurrence of a population of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, with low sensitivity to two major nematicides, fosthiazate and fluopyram, in Japan.

The root-knot nematode (RKN), Meloidogyne incognita, affects food production globally and nematicides, such as fosthiazate and fluopyram, are frequently used in Japan to control damage caused by RKN. In aboveground pests, the emergence of a population with developed resistance is frequently found after the continuous use of the same pesticides; however, there are few studies on changes in the sensitivity of plant-parasitic nematodes, including RKN, to nematicides. We compared the sensitivity of two populations of M. incognita to fosthiazate and fluopyram, one population with a history of exposure to fosthiazate and 1,3-dichloropropene (Ibaraki population) and the other without nematicide use for decades (Aichi population). A concentration of fosthiazate and fluopyram causing 50% mortality at 24 h post-treatment (LC50) was markedly higher in the Ibaraki population (5.4 and 2.3 mg L-1) than in the Aichi population (0.024 and 0.011 mg L-1 in fosthiazate and fluopyram, respectively), indicating the low sensitivity of the Ibaraki population to fosthiazate and fluopyram. Experiments using different enzyme inhibitors indicated the involvement of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is the target of fosthiazate, and glutathione S-transferase (GST), a typical enzyme related to detoxification, in the low sensitivity mechanism. The activity of AChE was 33-fold higher in the Ibaraki population than in the Aichi population and there were many differences in their nucleotide sequences. In addition, the gene expression level of GST was 239-fold higher in the Ibaraki population than in the Aichi population. These results revealed differences in the sensitivity to nematicides among RKN populations. Two factors were identified as related to the mechanism of low sensitivity in the Ibaraki population. This is the first report showing the difference in the sensitivity to fluopyram between populations of M. incognita. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Fluorescent Ionic Liquid Aggregates: A Self-Assembled Approach for Pesticide Detection and Catalysis.

The unregulated use of pesticides, industrial discharge of heavy metals, waste, and agricultural runoff may contaminate surface water and groundwater, consequently threatening ecosystems and human health. Thus, the sensitive detection and degradation of pesticides are essential for safety. In this context, herein, we have developed benzimidazolium-based fluorescent surfactant assemblies TA-1/SDS and TA-2/SDBS, which exhibit aggregation-induced emission enhancement in an aqueous medium. The aggregates (TA-1/SDS and TA-2/SDBS) displayed a turn-on emission response upon interaction with carbendazim and azamethiphos with limits of detection 7.5 and 7.8 nM, respectively. The FE-SEM and AFM studies revealed that TA-1/SDS and TA-2/SDBS undergo self-assembly with the addition of AZA and CBZ, resulting in the formation of dendritic structures. In addition to the quantification of AZA and CBZ, TA-1/SDS and TA-2/SDBS have also been evaluated to degrade both pesticides and validated using 31P NMR spectroscopy and LC-MS spectrometry.

Assessing pesticide residue occurrence and risks in the environment across Europe and Argentina

The widespread and extensive use of pesticides in European crop production to reduce losses from weeds, diseases, and insects may have serious consequences on the ecosystem and human health. This study aimed to identify 20 active substances of high health risk, based on their detection frequency within and across the environmental matrices (soil, crop, water, and sediment) and to identify their associated hazardous effects. A sampling campaign was conducted across 10 case study sites in Europe and 1 in Argentina and included conventional and organic farming systems. In 31% of cases, the detected substances were found at a higher concentration in the soil than in the corresponding crops, 93% of the compounds were fungicides, and the remainder were insecticides. 43% of the substances, 57% of which were insecticides, were detected only in soil. There was a clear relationship between soils and crops in terms of contamination, but not between water and sediment. Portuguese soil (wine grapes) had the highest number of substances (12) with average concentrations (AC) varying between 1 and 162 μg/kg, followed by French (11 substances in wine grapes) (1≤AC≤64 μg/kg) and Spanish soils (9 substances in vegetables) (3≤AC≤59 μg/kg). The crops corresponding to these soils contained a relatively high number of detected substances and several in high average concentrations (AC). The risk quotient was consistently higher for conventional farms than for organic farms. For the soils from conventional farms, 5 active substances (chlorpyrifos, glyphosate, boscalid, difenoconazole, lambda-cyhalothrin, and one metabolite: AMPA) were considered high risk. For water samples, 2 substances (dieldrin and terbuthylazine) found were high risk, and for sediment, there were 3 substances (metalaxyl-M, spiroxamine, and lambda-cyhalothrin). There were 6 substances detected in crops that are suspected to cause human health effects. Uncontaminated soil is a prerequisite for the adoption of sustainable alternatives to pesticides. Efforts are needed to elucidate the unknown effects of mixtures, including biocides and banned compounds in addition to the substances used in agriculture.

Integrated pest management of soybean emerging pests in Brazil and United States: a review

Soybean cultivation is crucial for meeting global demand for vegetable oil and protein, with Brazil being the largest global producer, followed by the United States. However, intensifying soja production has led to the emergence of new pests, such as whitefly, thrips, and leaf miners, which cause damage to plants and reduce crop productivity. The integrated pest management approach is essential for sustainable pest control, minimizing pesticide use, and maintaining ecological balance. However, further research is needed on emerging pests and their management strategies.

Evaluating the impact of biogenic nanoparticles and pesticide application in controlling cotton leaf curl virus disease (CLCuD) in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

BackgroundCotton leaf curl virus disease (CLCuD) is one of the major concerns for cotton growers. The traditional approach to managing CLCuD involves the control of the vector (whitefly) population through the use of pesticides. This study compares the efficacy of zinc oxide, iron oxide, copper and silver nanoparticles with conventional pesticides. Nanoparticles dose was optimized by evaluating their phytotoxic threshold in our previous study. In this study, optimized doses of nanoparticles such as zinc oxide (100 ppm), iron oxide (50 ppm), copper (50 ppm) and silver nanoparticles (25 ppm) were applied in a field trial of cotton against cotton leaf curl virus disease (CLCuD). Morphological parameters (height of stem, monopodial branches, sympodial branches, staple length, boll weight and number of bolls), yield parameters (seed cotton yield and ginning outturn), chlorophyll content (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids and total chlorophyll), biochemical parameters (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and electrolyte leakage) and disease parameters (reduction infection, disease severity and disease incidence) were determined in this study.ResultsThe incidence of cotton leaf curl virus was confirmed by triple antibody sandwich–enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TAS-ELISA). The pesticide Imidacloprid significantly reduced the infection by 79.3%. However, in comparison to pesticide, application of nanoparticles also reduced the infection. ZnO NPs reduced the infection by 42.33%, FeO NPs by 41%, Cu NPs by 34.7%, and Ag NPs by 44.8%. Moreover, these nanoparticles also improved the plant growth parameters as compared to control treatment. ZnO NPs enhanced morphological, yield parameters, and chlorophyll content by 36%, 22%, and 29%, respectively. FeO NPs showed improvements by 38%, 21%, and 29%; Cu NPs 39%, 25%, and 29%; and Ag NPs 31%, 19%, and 18%, respectively.ConclusionAlthough treatment pesticide showed the least disease incidence compared to nanoparticles, nanoparticles are eco-friendly and safe as compared to pesticides. Farmers can apply these nanoparticles at their optimal thresholds through foliar application as an alternative to traditional pesticides. It is concluded that nanocomposites and hybrid modes may be used for managing CLCuD efficiently in the future.Graphical abstract

Dynamic alterations and ecological implications of rice rhizosphere bacterial communities induced by an insect-transmitted reovirus across space and time

BackgroundCereal diseases caused by insect-transmitted viruses are challenging to forecast and control because of their intermittent outbreak patterns, which are usually attributed to increased population densities of vector insects due to cereal crop rotations and indiscriminate use of pesticides, and lack of resistance in commercial varieties. Root microbiomes are known to significantly affect plant health, but there are significant knowledge gaps concerning epidemics of cereal virus diseases at the microbiome-wide scale under a variety of environmental and biological factors.ResultsHere, we characterize the diversity and composition of rice (Oryza sativa) root-associated bacterial communities after infection by an insect-transmitted reovirus, rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV, genus Fijivirus, family Spinareoviridae), by sequencing the bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplified fragments from 1240 samples collected at a consecutive 3-year field experiment. The disease incidences gradually decreased from 2017 to 2019 in both Langfang (LF) and Kaifeng (KF). BRSDV infection significantly impacted the bacterial community in the rice rhizosphere, but this effect was highly susceptible to both the rice-intrinsic and external conditions. A greater correlation between the bacterial community in the rice rhizosphere and those in the root endosphere was found after virus infection, implying a potential relationship between the rice-intrinsic conditions and the rhizosphere bacterial community. The discrepant metabolites in rhizosphere soil were strongly and significantly correlated with the variation of rhizosphere bacterial communities. Glycerophosphates, amino acids, steroid esters, and triterpenoids were the metabolites most closely associated with the bacterial communities, and they mainly linked to the taxa of Proteobacteria, especially Rhodocyclaceae, Burkholderiaceae, and Xanthomonadales. In addition, the greenhouse pot experiments demonstrated that bulk soil microbiota significantly influenced the rhizosphere and endosphere communities and also regulated the RBSDV-mediated variation of rhizosphere bacterial communities.ConclusionsOverall, this study reveals unprecedented spatiotemporal dynamics in rhizosphere bacterial communities triggered by RBSDV infection with potential implications for disease intermittent outbreaks. The finding has promising implications for future studies exploring virus-mediated plant-microbiome interactions.2AL1xEb7k2nunVBmbuNCsVVideo

Visible light-induced continuous process for photodegradation of chlorpyrifos using g-C3N4/GO/La2O3 photocatalyst from agricultural aquatic waste

The widespread use of pesticides and the formation of by-products on the gradual decomposition of these pesticides have led to environmental pollution, which in turn has caused harm to both human and ecosystem health. Pesticides have been found in water bodies worldwide and are a cause of concern. Photocatalytic reactions have received significant attention in the past few decades for the breakdown of pesticides. Different parameters were studied, including the effects of pH, kinetics, dose, and regeneration. The UV–vis spectroscopy results suggest that the g-C3N4/GO/La2O3 nanocomposite is a superior reusable photocatalyst for the degradation of chlorpyrifos (CPF) compared to pure g-C3N4 and GO/ g-C3N4. This is demonstrated by the fact that the g-C3N4/GO/La2O3 nanocomposite outperforms both of these materials. The increased photocatalytic performance may be attributed to a balance between the band gap, morphology, crystalline quality, and surface area, all of which may be slowing down the electron-hole recombination rates. This may be due to the enhanced photocatalytic performance. In addition, the feasible processes were outlined from radical quenching studies, and the results clearly indicate that the presence of more OH radicals plays an essential role in the process of efficient photodegradation using novel g-C3N4/GO/La2O3 nanocomposites.

Sensing at Your Fingertip: On-Glove Electrochemical Sensor for Copper Detection on Vine Leaves

Intensive use of copper-based pesticides in agriculture can impact human health and biodiversity: the accumulation of this metal in soil negatively affects crop yields. There is growing interest in developing new tools that are capable of monitoring copper occurrence in agricultural contexts through the use of quick and user-friendly approaches for non-specialists, e.g., farmers. This work focuses on the development of a glove-based electrochemical sensor, enhanced with gold nanoparticles, for the detection of copper ions on leaves. The developed device proved was capable of detecting copper ions contained in a copper-based pesticide commonly used in agriculture (Cupravit Bio Advanced). The on-glove analytical device was characterized using garden leaf as the model system and subsequently applied to on-site detection of copper ions on vine leaf treated with Cupravit Bio Advanced. The procedure was very facile: sampling was carried out by touching the leaf with the strip and the stripping-voltammetric measurement was performed by adding a few microliters of an acidic solution to the strip. The on-glove approach allowed evaluation of the level of copper-based pesticide used, avoiding complex and time-consuming tasks. Such operation opens up a wide range of possibilities for improving precision agriculture and sustainable development at the point-of-need for the use of non-specialists.

Modelación mediante PWC debido a la presencia de plaguicidas organoclorados en los canales de Ampampilco y Apatlaco, Xochimilco

Despite the fact that the use and application of most organochlorine pesticides has been prohibited in Mexico, these are still been used in several cultivation areas, such as Xochimilco´s Chinampera area, specifically in the Apatlaco and Ampampilco canals. Consequently, this study reports the data found in these canals and a comparison has been made with respect to PWC modeling and international standards. The above-mentioned program estimates the concentrations that should be found in these canals if the pesticides were applied according to the recommendations. The aim of this paper is to explain what happens in the study area by comparing the calculated theoretic concentrations from each of the organochlorine pesticides, when using the Pesticide in Water Calculator (PWC), with those detected in water and surface soil and taking into account as established by international regulations. Results show that the concentrations for aldrin and dieldrin exceed the CCME limits, not so for the EPA, and for the EC the dieldrin is in acceptable limits, the aldrin exceeds these limits. Therefore, it is necessary to have a careful control and monitoring over the use of these pesticides. Endosulfan exceeds in the three international standards (CCME, EPA and CE), since it presents high levels in the calculations made with PWC.

Antibiotic-producing plant-associated bacteria, anti-virulence therapy and microbiome engineering: Integrated approaches in sustainable agriculture.

Plant health is crucial for maintaining the well-being of humans, animals and the environment. Plant pathogens pose significant challenges to agricultural production, global food security and ecosystem biodiversity. This problem is exacerbated by the impact of climate change, which is expected to alter the emergence and evolution of plant pathogens and their interaction with their plant hosts. Traditional approaches to managing phytopathogens involved the use of chemical pesticides, but alternative strategies are needed to address their ongoing decline in performance as well as their negative impact on the environment and public health. Here, we highlight the advancement and effectiveness of biocontrol strategies based on the use of antimicrobial-producing plant-associated bacteria, anti-virulence therapy (e.g. quorum quenching) and microbiome engineering as sustainable biotechnological approaches to promote plant health and foster sustainable agriculture. Notably, Enterobacterales are emerging as important biocontrol agents and as a source of new antimicrobials for potential agricultural use. We analysed here the genomes of over 250 plant-associated enterobacteria to examine their potential to synthesize secondary metabolites. Exploration of the plant microbiome is of major interest in the search for eco-friendly alternatives for reducing the use of chemical pesticides.

Wild Bee Conservation in Viticulture: Effects of Semi-Natural Habitats, Organic Management, and Fungicide Reduction.

In agricultural landscapes, the removal of semi-natural habitats (SNH) and the intensive use of pesticides contribute to declines of biodiversity, including crop pollinators such as bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea). However, effects of pesticide use and landscape characteristics on bees have rarely been studied together. In this study, we investigated how SNH in the surrounding landscape, organic and conventional management, and the reduction of fungicides affect wild bee diversity in 32 vineyards in southwest Germany. We used yellow pan traps to sample bees in a crossed design of management (organic vs. conventional) and fungicide use (reduced in fungus-resistant grape varieties vs. regular) along a gradient with increasing proportions of SNH in the surrounding landscape. Higher proportions of SNH influenced species composition of bees and increased the abundance and richness of above-ground-nesting species. Organic vineyards had a 49% higher abundance of bees compared to conventional vineyards. The reduction of fungicides did not affect bee diversity nor abundance. The absence of a response to fungicide intensity suggests that the benefit of organically managed vineyards to wild bees was through differences in their vegetation management, which is in line with the positive response of bees to SNH in the surrounding landscape. Synthesis and applications: Our study underlines that the local provision of diverse vegetation in vineyards and the landscape-scale provision of suitable SNH are key factors for wild bee conservation in viticulture.

Pesticide residues in common and herbal teas combined with risk assessment and transfer to the infusion

The use of pesticides is permitted in tea cultivation, but many of them are withdrawn in Europe. The aim of this study was a comprehensive assessment of pesticide occurrence in common teas (black, green, red, white, and black flavored) and herbal teas (lemon balm and mint) and their transfer to the infusion. Among 603 pesticides, 24 were detected, of which 9 were withdrawn in Europe. Of the 64 tea samples, 47% had pesticide residues and 2% exceeded the European Maximum Residue Level (EU MRL; 672% for linuron/mint). The highest concentrations of the most common pesticides were 336 ng g-1 (quizalofop-P-ethyl and linuron/mint), 134.4 ng g-1 (flufenoxuron/green tea), and 120.8 ng g-1 (thiamethoxam/black flavored tea). A short time of brewing (5 min.) had a higher transfer factor (TF) of most pesticides to the infusion (TF= 0.85/thiacloprid), compared to 30 min. brewing (TF= 0.75/thiacloprid). Moreover, the physicochemical properties of detected pesticides, mainly density and melting temperature had a crucial impact on their transfer to the infusion. Acute risk was the highest for linuron/mint/children (17% of Acute Reference Dose; ARfD). Despite the withdrawal of some pesticides in the EU, they are still detected in tea samples. The results are pivotal for human health and highlight the need for further legislative action for tea.

Variations of pest and disease attacks on horticultural and non-horticultural crops in South Sumatra

Horticultural crops of olericultural types that were given a lot of chemical pesticides cause many negative impacts such as the emergence of pests and pathogens that were immune to pesticides, the emergence of new pests, increased pest populations and secondary pathogens, reduced populations of beneficial insects (predators). The study aimed to consider the use of pesticides by farmers to eradicate pests and diseases in horticulture and non-horticulture in South Sumatra. The research was conducted in South Sumatra Province. The research was conducted in 7 districts and 1 city, namely Indralaya District, North Indralaya District, Air Kumbang District, South Pemulutan District, Gelumbang District, Belitang Mulya District, Tanjung Batu District, and Palembang City, which was conducted from May to September 2022. Data were collected using the Secondary Variables method with Purposive sampling technique and processed into analyzed data. The results of this study showed that the most horticulture cultivated by farmers was eggplant(Solanum melongena L.). While for non-horticulture the most widely cultivated by farmers was corn(Zea mays). The percentage of pest attacks on non-horticultural land was 57.36%, the percentage of pest attacks on horticultural land was 68.28%. Variations in pest and disease attacks that occur in 180 farms on horticultural and non-horticultural crops in South Sumatra. Horticultural crops that are widely cultivated in South Sumatra include cucumber, long beans, and eggplant. Meanwhile, non-horticultural crops are corn, rice, and rubber. Spodoptera frugiperda was a pest that has been found to damage corn crops and Leptocorisa sp species that damage food crops (No Horticulture). Counseling was provided to farmers to find out the types of pests that could attack and the symptoms and diseases in plants to know how to control them.

Effect of vitamin supplementation and exposure-free break on hematological, Biochemical, and pathological parameters in male Wistar rats exposed to quinalphos

ABSTRACT Background: India is a land of agriculture, where the economy is based on cash crop cultivation. The wide and chronic use of pesticides for agriculture, domestic, and industrial purposes without protective measures has led to subsequent adverse health effects and further evaluation. It has become a major concern of public health due to its usage throughout the year among pesticide industrial workers, distributors and retail shopkeepers, agricultural field workers, and sprayers. Among the different types of pesticides (organochlorines, organophosphorus, carbamates, and pyrethroid compounds) used, quinalphos is the most common organophosphorus compound used in South India. These compounds were known to produce oxidative damage in the liver, kidney, bone marrow, brain, and intestine. Nonenzymatic antioxidants like vitamin C and E were found to alleviate the oxidative damage imposed by these pesticides. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of oral supplementation of vitamin E and vitamin C in comparison to exposure-free days on complete blood count, antioxidant enzymes, liver enzymes, and histopathological changes in the liver following exposure of male Wistar rats to quinalphos. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was done at XXXX after getting scientific and ethical committee clearance. A total of 24 adult male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups, with six in each group. Group A consists of animals not exposed to quinalphos for 60 days (control group), group B exposed to quinalphos for 60 days, group C exposed to quinalphos orally only for the first 30 days with exposure-free days for the next 30 days, and group D exposed to quinalphos orally for 60 days along with vitamin E and vitamin C oral supplementation. During exposure, quinalphos was administered at the dose of 3 mg/kg/day mixed with drinking water through oral gavage. Animals were sacrificed at the end of 60 days. Blood was collected by direct cardiac puncture, and the liver tissue was used for histopathological investigation. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and post hoc Turkey’s test for intergroup comparison using SPSS 21.0 software. Results: RBC count (P = 0.011), Hb % (P = 0.000), and hematocrit (P = 0.000) were significantly reduced, whereas WBC count (P = 0.005) and neutrophil % (P = 0.001) significantly increased in the quinalphos-exposed group (group B) compared to other three groups. Liver enzymes, SGPT (P = 0.028) and SGOT (P = 0.343), were elevated, and the antioxidants catalase (P = 0.000) and glutathione peroxidase (P = 0.000) were significantly reduced in the quinalphos-exposed group when compared to the control and exposure free group. Histopathology of the liver showed diffuse necrosis of the hepatocytes with central venous congestion in quinalphos-exposed (group B) compared to the other three groups. The exposure-free group (group C) has shown better histopathological changes when compared to quinalphos exposure with (group D) and without (group B) vitamin C and E supplementation group. Conclusion: Quinalphos exposure orally results in anemia, leucocytosis with neutrophilia, liver damage, and oxidative stress. As evidenced by liver histopathology and altered antioxidant enzymes in the supplementation group compared to the group with exposure-free days, the toxic effects of quinalphos were less during exposure-free days. Thus, people occupationally exposed to quinalphos can alleviate the ill effects by having exposure-free days as interval breaks to remove the toxic accumulation of organophosphorus compounds.

Driving sustainability in the sugarcane industry: Life Cycle Assessment of conventional and emerging spraying technologies in Tanzania

Sugarcane dominates global sugar and bioethanol production, involving extensive cultivation and supply chain activities. The sugarcane development encounters challenges, such as climate change, diseases, pests, and water scarcity, affecting growth and yields. Sugarcane management often involves the use of pesticides, which risk soil and water contamination. It also leads to biodiversity loss, high water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy consumption. This study conducted a life cycle assessment to compare the environmental impacts of cropdusters and drones in ripener application for sugarcane farming. The life cycle assessment enables informed decisions on sustainable practices by providing a holistic view of environmental impacts, facilitating comparisons, and identifies hotspots. The analysis examined the impacts of machinery, ripener compounds, and spraying operations. It explored using sugarcane waste (bagasse) as bioenergy for drone batteries or cropdusters. Results show that drones minimize environmental impacts by 11,557 kgCO2eq, 128,079 MJ, and 103 m3 for 40 ha farm compared to using cropdusters. Also, bagasse from a 40-ha farm can generate 1.93E+09 Wh of bioenergy, enough to charge drone batteries for spraying over approximately 4.9 million ha or to fuel cropdusters for 0.04 million ha of sugarcane. Conclusively, emerging technologies help to reduce environmental impacts and align with sustainable development goals, SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). These goals promote renewable energy, enhance agricultural efficiency, and ensure sustainable resource management, fostering a global transition to sustainable practices.

Investigating organophosphorus pesticides in dates from Khesht City (Iran): Impact of washing and assessment of the health risks

Dates are rich in nutrients, making them popular all over the world as healthy fruits. Due to the use of pesticides by gardeners to control pests in date palm farms, date fruits may contain pesticides, which could potentially endanger the health of consumers. In this study, date fruit samples at three different growth stages (green fruit, unripe date, date) were collected from the groves of Khesht city. The residues of 15 organophosphorus pesticides in water-washed and unwashed samples were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The results showed that the residue levels of all organophosphorus pesticides measured were below the maximum residue limits recommended by FAO and CODEX. Based on the data, washing date fruits with water can effectively reduce the residual amount of organophosphorus pesticides, thereby helping to reduce the intake of pesticides. Moreover, the results of the risk assessment showed that consumption of unripe and ripe dates from Khesht has no carcinogenic (<10–6) or non-carcinogenic (HI<1) effects on adults. However, Future studies should analyze the soil and irrigation water of palm groves for organophosphorus pesticide contamination. Increasing gardeners' awareness of pesticide risks to human health is crucial for responsible pesticide use in horticulture.

Biomarker responses in fish caged in a rice field during a bifenthrin application

The use of pesticides in integrated rice-fish farming could have an impact on fish health. The present study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the biological effects of the insecticide bifenthrin on fish (Piaractus mesopotamicus and Hoplosternum littorale) using a caging experiment. Fish were divided into two sites: control (C) and bifenthrin exposure (BF). Two cages (n = 8 fish/cage) per species were placed separately at each site. The BF application (Seizer ®) was carried out with a coastal sprayer according to the BF recommended dose for rice cultivation (0.1 L/ha). After 72 hours, fish were collected, and gills, liver, brain, and muscle were dissected for the analysis of biomarkers of accumulation, oxidative stress, and neurotoxicity. In P. mesopotamicus, the main changes were observed in the muscle, where BF accumulated and induced neurotoxicity (inhibition of cholinesterase activity) and oxidative stress (activation of antioxidant enzymes, decreased glutathione levels, increased lipid peroxidation). The gills and liver also showed changes in some markers of the antioxidant system. In H. littorale, BF exposure induced changes in oxidative stress biomarkers in liver (activation of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation) and gill tissues (alteration in antioxidant markers). These results show that the use of bifenthrin in rice fields poses a risk to fish farming under current pesticide management practices. Furthermore, its use could affect other species in these agroecosystems, highlighting the need for further studies to assess the ecological and productive consequences in a context of increasing pyrethroid use worldwide.

Comparative analysis of antifungal properties in medicinal plant extracts for sustainable agriculture

The escalating environmental repercussions of pesticide use in pest and disease management underscore the urgency for alternative strategies. One promising avenue involves harnessing natural antifungal properties present in plant extracts. This study aimed to assess the antifungal efficacy of aqueous and ethanolic extracts from five medicinal plants, viz., C. sativa L., S. moorcraftiana L., S. nigrum L., F. vesca L., and R. pseudoacacia, which were screened for their antifungal activity against various soil-borne fungi, viz., A. niger, A. flavus, A. terreus, R. stolonifer, M. mucedo, F. oxysporum, A. alternata, P. notatum, C. cladosporioides, and C. lunata. Phytochemical analysis exhibited the presence of phenols, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, quinines, and terpenoids. Results revealed potent antifungal activity across all tested fungi, significantly inhibiting mycelial growth compared to control. S. nigrum and C. sativa extracts exhibited the highest efficacy against multiple fungal pathogens. The inhibition in mycelial growth in ethanolic and aqueous plant extracts of C. sativa against A. niger varies between 3.00 mm to 6.00 mm and 4.00 mm–6.33 mm, against A. flavus 3.33 mm–11.66 mm and 4 mm–12.66 mm, A. terreus (3.00 mm–6.00 mm and 3.66 mm–7.00 mm), R. stolonifer (3.00 mm–5.33 and 3.66 mm–6.33 mm), M. mucedo (8.33 mm–17.66 mm and 9.66 mm–18.66 mm), F. oxysporum (6.66 mm–12.33 mm and 7.33 mm–13.33 mm), A. alternata (4.66 mm–11.33 mm and 5.33 mm–14.00 mm), P. notatum (9.33 mm–23.00 mm and 9.66 mm–24.33 mm), C. cladosporioides (4.33 mm–8.66 mm and 5.33 mm–9.66 mm), and C. lunata (14.00 mm–20.33 mm and 17.00 mm–21.33 mm) in different concentrations of plant extracts respectively. Likewise, the inhibition in mycelial growth in ethanolic and aqueous plant extracts of S. nigrum against A. niger at different concentrations varies between 8.00 mm to 17.66 mm and 9.00 mm–18.66 mm, A. flavus (8.33 mm–12.66 mm and 9 mm–14 mm), A. terreus (2.33 mm–5.66mm and 3 mm–7 mm), R. stolonifer (13.33 mm–20.33 mm and 17.66 mm–24.66 mm), M. mucedo (10.66 mm–12.00 mm and 11.66 mm–13.00 mm), F. oxysporum (15.66 mm–22.33 and 18.00 mm–24.00 mm), A. alternata (10.66 mm–13.00 mm and 11.66 mm–14.00 mm), P. notatum (5.33 mm–13.33 mm and 6.33 mm–18.66 mm, C. cladosporioides (3.33 mm–7.66 mm and 4.00 mm–8.00 mm), and C. lunata (3.66 mm–6.33 mm and 4.66 mm–6.66 mm), respectively. These findings suggest that these plant extracts have the potential to be natural fungicides, providing promising alternatives for disease management in agriculture.

Agricultural Pest Management: The Role of Microorganisms in Biopesticides and Soil Bioremediation.

Pesticide use in crops is a severe problem in some countries. Each country has its legislation for use, but they differ in the degree of tolerance for these broadly toxic products. Several synthetic pesticides can cause air, soil, and water pollution, contaminating the human food chain and other living beings. In addition, some of them can accumulate in the environment for an indeterminate amount of time. The agriculture sector must guarantee healthy food with sustainable production using environmentally friendly methods. In this context, biological biopesticides from microbes and plants are a growing green solution for this segment. Several pests attack crops worldwide, including weeds, insects, nematodes, and microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, causing diseases and economic losses. The use of bioproducts from microorganisms, such as microbial biopesticides (MBPs) or microorganisms alone, is a practice and is growing due to the intense research in the world. Mainly, bacteria, fungi, and baculoviruses have been used as sources of biomolecules and secondary metabolites for biopesticide use. Different methods, such as direct soil application, spraying techniques with microorganisms, endotherapy, and seed treatment, are used. Adjuvants like surfactants, protective agents, and carriers improve the system in different formulations. In addition, microorganisms are a tool for the bioremediation of pesticides in the environment. This review summarizes these topics, focusing on the biopesticides of microbial origin.