BEYOND PESTICIDES’ Post

The emergence of pesticide-free crop production systems in Europe Pesticide #riskreduction is a priority in European #agriculturalpolicies, but how to reach these targets remains an open question. Against this background, a novel approach for transforming #pestmanagement practices is currently gaining momentum in Europe: pesticide-free, non-organic production systems. These involve the non-use of pesticides in parts of crop rotations or entire #croprotations but do not comply with other organic farming regulations. Here we present insights into the first real-world examples of such systems, in #Switzerland and #Germany. In both countries, pesticide-free production was initiated jointly by farmers and downstream actors some years ago. This was followed by the launch of public support schemes in 2023. We discuss the functioning and impacts of these examples, as well as farmers’ adoption behaviour. Compared with #organicproduction, the reviewed pesticide-free production schemes are more flexible and have lower adoption hurdles for #farmers, as well as lower #yieldlosses. These characteristics facilitate the large-scale adoption of pesticide-free production systems. Moreover, pesticide-free can become a clear-cut and simple production standard. Pesticide-free production can thus be a disruptive approach to create a tangible ‘third way’ between conventional and organic production. However, there are various adoption barriers and pesticide-free production would not currently be profitable without support in most cases. #emergence #pesticidefree #cropproduction #Europe #crop #pesticides

Bhartiya Krishi Anusandhan Patrika Published Volume 39 Issue 2 (JUNE 2024) Effect of Pesticides on Human Health and Biodiversity: A Comprehensive Insight S. Sahoo, N. Baral, A. Nayak, A. Naik, D. Behera, M. Mahapatra, J.P. Sahoo doi: 10.18805/BKAP734 Cite article:- Sahoo S., Baral N., Nayak A., Naik A., Behera D., Mahapatra M., Sahoo J.P. (2024). Effect of Pesticides on Human Health and Biodiversity: A Comprehensive Insight . Bhartiya Krishi Anusandhan Patrika. 39(2): 115-124. doi: 10.18805/BKAP734. ABSTRACT Pesticides, whether naturally occurring or chemically synthesized, serve to combat various pests across sectors such as food production, forestry, agriculture, and aquaculture, but they also pose risks of toxicity to ecosystems. The World Health Organization classifies pesticides based on their harmful effects, underscoring the importance of public health considerations. By employing them judiciously and understanding their categorization, their usage can be minimized for the benefit of both human health and the environment. This review examines global perspectives on pesticides, including their distribution and environmental impacts, while literature highlights their potential uses, classification and adverse effects on natural systems, water, plants, human health and food preservation. Additionally, eco-friendly management strategies, like bacterial degradation, myco-remediation, phytoremediation, and microalgae-based bioremediation, are discussed as green solutions to mitigate pesticide pollution. The identification of potent microbes, novel genes and biotechnological applications for pesticide waste management is crucial for fostering a sustainable environment. KEYWORDS Biodegradation, Biodiversity, Human Health, Pesticide https://lnkd.in/gcKMcxTD

Peculiar figures on healthy GMOs. Statistics on the contribution of #synthetic #chemicals to #soilhealth might follow. Or on the role of monoculture GE crops in preserving #biodiversity...

I totally agree about GMO foods being safe, and that pesticides are widely used unregulated in other countries, but c’mon are you implying that the conventionally farmed dirty dozen should not be avoided? I think it would be wise to convey that the USDA while underfunded does set standards for organic labeling to eliminate use of the most toxic chemicals. It is also important to understand that some conventionally farmed produce are not better than organic because they are natually resistant to vermin. The toxins in these types of produce are beneficial to humans because they induce a hormetic effect, e.g., sulfloraphane in broccoli. https://lnkd.in/etWg78En

Herbicide Residues in Agroecosystems: Fate, Detection, and Effect on Non-Target Plants Environmental pollution is one of the most critical issues concerning the quality of the environment and threatens the human safety due to bioaccumulation. The extensive application of pesticides causes great public concern about the negative impacts on the environment and human health. Herbicides have been used for weed management and to prevent the yield loss of agricultural products. In recent years, the environment's quality is extensively considered due to the enormous pesticide application in agroecosystems. There are some different pathways for the degradation of herbicides in the environment, including biodegradation, chemical degradation, photodegradation, uptake by target or non-target plants, adsorption to soil particles and leaching. Assessing the environmental risks of herbicides before mass production, commercialization, and distribution is very important. The presence of herbicide residues in the environment has become a fundamental problem in many countries. Bioassay and analytical methods could identify, detect, and quantify herbicide residues in the environment. In this review paper, the fate, detection methods, and effect of herbicides on non-target plants have been discussed. DOI: 10.7831/ras.9.0_157 https://lnkd.in/gpudx-3

Herbicide Residues in Agroecosystems: Fate, Detection, and Effect on Non-Target Plants Environmental pollution is one of the most critical issues concerning the quality of the environment and threatens the human safety due to bioaccumulation. The extensive application of pesticides causes great public concern about the negative impacts on the environment and human health. Herbicides have been used for weed management and to prevent the yield loss of agricultural products. In recent years, the environment's quality is extensively considered due to the enormous pesticide application in agroecosystems. There are some different pathways for the degradation of herbicides in the environment, including biodegradation, chemical degradation, photodegradation, uptake by target or non-target plants, adsorption to soil particles and leaching. Assessing the environmental risks of herbicides before mass production, commercialization, and distribution is very important. The presence of herbicide residues in the environment has become a fundamental problem in many countries. Bioassay and analytical methods could identify, detect, and quantify herbicide residues in the environment. In this review paper, the fate, detection methods, and effect of herbicides on non-target plants have been discussed. https://lnkd.in/gpudx-3 https://lnkd.in/gvTCm5V4

What is "Nodu" indicator in the framework of #Ecophyto plan? The #Nodu (Number of Doses Units) indicator plays a crucial role in assessing the sustainability of pesticide use in agriculture and guiding efforts to promote more environmentally friendly and economically viable pest management practices within the framework of the #Ecophyto plan. To calculate the #Nodu indicator, you need data on the total amount of pesticides applied annually to all crops at a national scale, as well as information on the area of cultivated land. Here's how you can calculate it: 1- Gather Data: Obtain data on the total amount of pesticides used annually in your region. This information may be available from government agencies responsible for agriculture, pesticide regulation, or environmental protection. The data should include the total quantity of active ingredients used in pesticides, typically measured in kilograms or tonnes. 2- Determine the Area of Cultivated Land: Determine the total area of cultivated land for all crops in your region. This information may be available from agricultural census data, land use surveys, or agricultural statistics provided by government agencies. 3- Calculate the Nodu: a. Convert the total quantity of pesticides used into a standardized unit of measurement, such as kilograms of active ingredient. b. Divide the total quantity of pesticides used by the total area of cultivated land to obtain the average amount of pesticides applied per unit area (e.g., kg/ha). c. Multiply the average amount of pesticides applied per unit area by 1,000 to convert it into "Number of Doses Units" per hectare (Nodu/ha). Mathematically, the formula to calculate Nodu can be represented as: Nodu=(Total area of cultivated land / Total quantity of pesticides used)×1000 4- Interpretation: The resulting value represents the average number of doses of pesticides applied per hectare of cultivated land. This indicator provides insight into the intensity of pesticide use in agriculture at a national or regional scale. 5- Considerations: When interpreting the Nodu indicator, it's important to consider factors such as differences in cropping systems, pest pressure, and agricultural practices across different regions and crops. Additionally, changes in pesticide formulations, application rates, and land use patterns over time may influence trends in the Nodu indicator. By calculating the Nodu indicator, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders can assess trends in pesticide use, monitor progress toward pesticide reduction goals, and identify opportunities for promoting more sustainable pest management practices within the agricultural sector.

A reminder: organic farming is not pesticide-free. More than that, the pesticides used in organic farming are less effective and have more off target effects, so they frequently need to be used in higher quantities than conventional counterparts. In addition, organic farming prohibits growing GE crops under the guise of environmentalism, yet GE crops further reduce necessary pesticides. Over the last 20 years, GMOs have reduced pesticide applications by 8.2% and helped increase crop yields by 22%. By introducing genes that confer resistance to diseases, parasites, and other pests, we can improve crop yield and prevent loss by biologic events. This means GM crops actually require fewer chemical inputs than non-GM counterparts. While many people believe the US agriculture industry douses crops with pesticides compared to European country, the converse is true. The US uses less pesticides than many countries that are perceived to be more ‘chemical-free’. The US uses an average of 2.5 kg of pesticides per hectare of cropland. France and Spain use 3.6 kg/Ha. Belgium uses a whopping 6.7 kg/Ha, following by Ireland at 6.5 kg/Ha, Italy with 6.1 kg/Ha, and Switzerland with 4.7 kg/Ha. Hate to break it to you: but this is because of false claims related to organic farming and public fear about genetic technologies. The biggest pesticide users in France and Belgium are grape farmers for winemaking. Because these countries subscribes to misinformation about chemicals, they overwhelming use the organic pesticide copper sulfate as a fungicide, which is less effective and is more ecologically damaging than conventional fungicides like mancozeb. False beliefs based on repetitive misinformation harms our society, our environment, and our ability to implement innovative technologies. Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ecHJ-DhC ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ev7EaEjR ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eECeyjgQ #scicomm #agriculture #pesticides #geneticengineering #publichealth

In Brazil, a growing number of farmers are embracing natural pesticides, known as "biopesticides," as an alternative to chemical products, aiming to improve crop yields while reducing environmental impact. How can governments support and incentivise the adoption of natural pesticides in agriculture to promote sustainable farming practices and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides, particularly in countries with high pesticide usage like Brazil? https://lnkd.in/dbVCUyuW

#discussion 🚜 Crop pesticide use influenced by organic farming in adjacent plots 🌽   Farmers use more chemical pesticides when nearby plots are under organic cultivation. However, when there is a substantial increase in the total area of organic farming or when organic fields are clustered, pesticide usage decreases. This finding of an American study is reported in the scientific journal Science. The empirical study builds on a theoretical study from 2013, in which ecologist Felix Bianchi from Wageningen University & Research drew similar conclusions.   🕷 "Natural enemies of pest insects are more abundant on organically managed fields than on traditionally managed fields,” explains Bianchi. “This leads to a natural balance, where populations of pest insects are kept in check by their natural enemies.” When pest insects migrate to fields where pesticides are used, problems arise because natural enemies, such as spiders, parasitic wasps, and predatory beetles, are much less abundant. This prompts farmers to resort to more intensive use of pesticides, as revealed by the study.   According to Bianchi, the findings from the two studies highlight the need for a further transition towards sustainable agriculture. “In the Netherlands, we should transition more rapidly to cultivation methods that use little or no chemical pesticides. Currently, less than 5 percent of the agricultural land is managed organically; if that were to increase to 20 or 30 percent, farmers would need to spray much less because there would be more natural enemies present in our landscapes.” 🗨 What do you believe is the best way to reduce pesticide use and transition towards sustainable agriculture? Share your thoughts in the comments below 👇 #pesticides #sustainability #organicfarming #biodiversity