Transcript “CROP PROTECTION” AKA PESTICIDE USE Preparation: IPM http://www.ipmalmanac.com/ http://www.biconet.com/reference/IPMhistory.html AGST 3000 Agriculture, Society and the Natural World.

“CROP PROTECTION” AKA
PESTICIDE USE
Preparation: IPM
http://www.ipmalmanac.com/
http://www.biconet.com/reference/IPMhistory.html
AGST 3000
Agriculture, Society and the Natural World
Some Definitions
Pesticide = a substance that kills a pest
(insect, weed, bacteria, nematode…)
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Herbicide = weed killer
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Insecticide = insect killer
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Rodenticide = rodent killer
Why are pesticides used in agriculture,
society and the environment?
1. Agriculture:
a. Use of “crop protecting” agents improves yield
and quality of agricultural products, consumer
preferences
b. Prevents the spread of diseases to crops and
livestock (Pierce’s Disease)
c. The use of pesticides is regulated by the E.P.A.
(Environmental Protection Agency, state law
and county ordinances)
Why are pesticides used in agriculture, society and the
environment?...continued
2. Society & Environment:
a. Pesticides are used regularly in city parks and
other recreational areas to control insect damage
and weeds (ie Disneyland, ball parks, schools,
etc)
b. Pesticides are used to protect humans from
insect-borne diseases, mosquitoes transmit
many diseases (Mosquito Abatement Programs)
West Nile Virus, Malaria
c. Rodenticides are used in homes, restaurants and
hotels to control mice and rats which can spread
disease, Junta Virus
Concerns With Pesticide Use
1. Environmental concerns
a. pesticides can kill beneficial insects and plants
(non selective)
b. pollution – runoff of herbicides and
insecticides into irrigation water and then into
rivers - damages wildlife habitat
c. cancer causing agents – organophosphates
d. disrupt the natural ecosystem and natural
biodiversity
e. creates chemical resistance – insects
particularly
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Pest management that utilizes several
strategies to control insects and other
pests rather than strictly relying on
chemical control.
Four Components…
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Components
1. Pest identification –
important for proper pest
control
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Confuse beneficial
insects with harmful
Pest that’s on the plant
may not be the one
causing damage
Damage may not even
be caused by an insect
(toxin or nutritional
deficiency, weather
damage etc.)
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Components
2. Surveying for pests –
systematically check
for pests and pest
damage

Pheromone traps
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Sweeping the field
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Random leaf, fruit
and stem samples
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Components
3. Encourage Beneficial Insect/Animal
Populations
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Use milder chemicals or selective sprays that
don’t kill beneficial animals.
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Examples – “Barn Owl Nesting Boxes” –
rodent control
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Predatory wasp populations – fly control in
poultry and dairy operations
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Natural insect enemies – lady bugs, lace
wings, praying mantis, predatory mites
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Components
4. Control Action Guidelines –
Application of pesticides only after a certain
number of pests have been found and
there is a threat of economic loss.
Do's of
Using Chemicals in an IPM Program
Do:
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Use chemicals only as a last resort.
Identify the pest you are dealing
with before purchasing and using
chemicals.
Use personal protective equipment
when applying pesticides.
Don'ts of
Using Chemicals in an IPM Program
Don’t:
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Don't automatically use pesticides on all
of your plants or your entire field.
Carefully scout first, and "spot spray" in
areas where pest activity is the greatest.
Don't rely on the same chemical for a long
period of time. Instead, alternate
chemicals with different modes of action.
Don't over-apply pesticides. Always follow
label directions.
Sociology of Pesticides
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Rachel Carlson (1962) – beginning of the modern
environmental movement - Silent Spring
DDT – pesticide – “Nobel Prize” in medicine
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Insect/disease control - Potent toxin
Still used to control mosquitoes in 3rd world countries
Malaria, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever – spread by
mosquitoes
Yellow Fever – nearly prevented the colonies from being
settled
More soldiers were lost in WWII due to mosquitoe borne
disease than in battle.
Sociology of Pesticides continued…
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Vietnam War – used defoliants to clear forests
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Post War Conditions – Refugee camps, many diseases
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Modern Challenge…Disease could be used as a
weapon (biological and chemical agents)
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Bubonic Plague – infected fleas & dropped them on
China during WWII; killed 50,000 people
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Many people think all pesticides should be banned.
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San Francisco has tried to ban all pesticides; this
would include germ killers like Chlorine
Pesticide Routes of Entry

Dermal (skin) most common
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Oral
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Respiratory
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Ocular
Pesticide Toxicological Tests
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U.S. food supply is the safest in the world
“Risk Cup” – EPA evaluate scientifically the
level of risk compared to benefits.
Fill the cup with all the risks an individual
is exposed to during their lives.
Politics of Pesticides
“Environmental lobbyists” are very powerful in
Washington D.C.
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Natural Resource Defense Fund – contracted
with 20/20 to break the story on “Alar” in
apples
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-Alar was banned w/out scientific evidence.
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-Organo Phosphate, carbomate pesticides –
research based on WWII neurotoxicity studies.
Politics of Pesticides
continued…
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“Biocides” – easily manufactured & inexpensive
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Petroleum industry was the generator
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Pet pesticides – flea control, tick control
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Pharmaceutical industry does much of the
pesticide research today, patent lasts 17 years &
it takes 10 years to complete research process.
How much does this cost?
Environmental Issues with Pesticides
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Pesticides enter the environment through crop
application.
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Leach into aquifer
Drift from applying during wind
Improper usage and disposal of containers
Central Valley has potential problems associated
with continual pesticides and chemical
applications.
Problem-“Bio-magnification”
“Bio-magnification”
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Duration…Chlorodane – killed lots of bugs, 30
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Accumulation…DDT – stays in the environment,
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Resistance develops – kill 99%; 1% left that are
year half-life, very stable in soil. Mis-application
of insecticide caused it to be banned.
organisms pick up the molecules and it stays in
the animal’s tissues…animals eat animals and it
passes on…Raptor egg shell thinness
resistant. Survivals detoxify chemicals used as
pesticides low kill-rate. “Pesticide treadmill”
Some Answers to Reducing
Pesticide Use
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Control populations – work within ecological
principles, IPM
Pest Control Advisors must use these practices,
an old idea.
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Select all the techniques to control pests.
Understand the ecological interactions of the pests.
More is not necessarily better…follow application
guidelines strictly
California has the strictest rules and regulations
concerning pesticides in the nation.
Future Challenges?
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IPM – “requires people to work smarter” dealing
with biology & ecology and utilizing…
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“Environmentally Friendly” pesticides
Mycotoxins – “aflatoxins” naturally occurring
toxins in peanuts, mushrooms
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Organic Farming – now will be regulated by the
federal government, fringe element no more.
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“Biotechnology” – fear of the unknown, no risk is
acceptable according to anti-biotech groups.
Future of Chemicals & Pesticides
Alternatives will be Key Issue…not a new
concept!
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Beneficial insects
Mechanical control
Chemical controls
Hedgerows – create a place for native speciesself perpetuating
Cover crops that produce nitrogen…lower
fertilizer use
Cover crops that encourage beneficial insects...
Proper irrigation for various crops…reduce
runoff
Journal
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What do you think are some of the greatest threats to
using pesticides..?
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In California
In the US
Globally
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What are some of the greatest benefits you see from
using pesticides?
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Do you feel that we can ever live without
pesticides/chemicals? Why, Why not?
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Do you think that we have a tendency to overreact in
California and are our laws and regulations justified?