PESTICIDES

PESTICIDES

Pesticides are chemical compounds or a biological agents that incapacitate, kill, or otherwise prevent pests.
The target pests can include insects, plant parasites, weeds, molluscs, birds, mammals, fish, nematodes
(roundworms) and microbes that damage property, cause or transmit disease, or are vectors of disease. It is
commonly used to eliminate or control a variety of agricultural pests that can damage crops and livestock
and reduce farm productivity. The most commonly applied pesticides are insecticides to kill insects,
herbicides to kill weeds, rodenticides to kill rodents, and fungicides to control fungi, mould, and mildew.

Classification of Pesticides

Pesticides can be classified based on;

° Their Origin.

° The Pest They Kill.

° How biodegradable they are

Classification based on their origin

Pesticides are classified based on their origin into chemical pesticides and bio pesticides.

Chemical Pesticides

They can further be divided into four, namely;

° Carbamate
° Organophosphate pesticides
° Organochlorine pesticides
° Pyrethroid pesticides

Bio pesticides
The biopesticides are a type of pesticides obtained from natural resources such as animals, plants, bacteria,
and certain minerals. They are classified into three major groups;
° Microbial pesticides
° Biochemical pesticides
° Plant incorporated protectants

● Biochemical pesticides.

While conventional pesticides neutralize pests, biochemical pesticides have substances like plant hormones
that may interfere with mating and other behaviors. Some may produce plant extracts that attract insects to
traps.

● Microbial pesticides.

This type of natural pesticide has a microorganism as its active ingredient. Microorganisms include fungus,
viruses, and bacteria. Microbial pesticides can control different types of pests.

The most common microbial pesticides are strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The different strains kill a
few specific species of larvae. For example, some Bt ingredients are meant to control larvae of mosquitoes
and flies, while others target moth larvae.

Classification of pesticides based on the type pests they kill.

There are many different types of pesticides, each is meant to be effective against specific pests.

The term "-cide" comes from the Latin word "to kill."

1. Insecticides: Gets rid of insects.

2. Algaecides: Controls the growth of algae
3. Herbicide – Eliminates weeds or unwanted plants
4. Rodenticides – Eliminates Rodents (rats & mice)
5. Bactericides –Acts on Bacteria
6. Fungicides – Kills fungi
7. Larvicides – larvae
8. Avicides: kill birds.
9. Nematicides: Kill nematodes that act as parasites of plants

Classification of pesticides based on how biodegradable they are:

i. Biodegradable pesticides:
These are the pesticides that can be broken down into harmless compounds by microbes and other living
organisms within less period of time.
ii.Non-Biodegradable Pesticides:
Few pesticides are known as non-biodegradable, also called persistent pesticides. The most long-lived
pesticide materials include aldrin, parathion, DDT, chlordane, and endrin, they take a long period of time to
break down. These pesticides can survive in the soil for over 15 years or more

Another way of thinking about pesticides is considering the chemical pesticides extracted from a common
source or some production method.

Chemical Pesticides

●Organophosphates

Many organophosphates are insecticides that impact on the nervous system by compromising the enzyme
that regulates the neurotransmitter.

●Carbamate

Carbamate pesticides affect the nervous system by compromising the enzyme that regulates the
neurotransmitter similar to the organophosphates, but carbamate enzyme effects are usually reversible.

●Organochlorine Insecticides

This type was common in the early years when pesticides came into the market. Many countries have
banned organochlorine insecticides from their markets because of their impacts and persistence on health
and the environmental factors (e.g., DDT, chlordane and toxaphene).

●Pyrethroid

There are synthetic variants of pyrethrin, a naturally occurring pesticide present in chrysanthemums
(Flower). Their development is such a way they can maximize their environmental resilience.

●Sulfonylurea herbicides

The commercial production of sulfonylureas herbicides was for weed control like flupyrsulfuron-methyl-
sodium, ethoxysulfuron, chlorimuron-ethyl, bensulfuron-methyl, azimsulfuron, and amidosulfuron.

Production of Pesticides

Pesticide production involves at least three separate activities. The active ingredient is first synthesized in a
chemical factory, then formulated in the same place or sent to a formulator, who prepares the liquid or
powder form. The pesticide is then sent to the farmer or other certified applicator, who dilutes it before
applying it to the fields.
Synthesizing the pesticide

When a new pesticide is first developed, it is manufactured on a small scale in a laboratory. If the substance
proves viable, production begins in the factory. Batch or continuous manufacturing insures a high volume,
perhaps as much as 500 kilograms per cycle. Synthesizing a pesticide is a complex chemical procedure that
requires trained chemists and a large, sophisticated laboratory. The basic procedure entails altering an
organic molecule to form a pesticide. This may involve any of a number of specific reagents and catalysts
and often must take place in a controlled climate (e.g. within a certain temperature range). Once
synthesized, the active ingredient is packaged and sent to a formulator. Liquid insecticides can be shipped in
tank trucks or 200-liter drums. Transport of the active ingredient follows all regulations for hazardous
materials transportation.

Formulating the pesticide

A formulator accepts the active ingredient, measures out the proper amount, mixes it with carrier if it is to be
a liquid pesticide or with inert powders or dry fertilizers if it is to be a dust pesticide, then bottles or
packages it. Liquid pesticides are packaged in 200-liter drums if a largescale farmer is the anticipated
customer or 20-liter jugs for small-scale operations. Dry formulations can be packaged in 5 to 10-kilogram
plastic or plastic-lined bags. An emulsified formulation is usually concentrated to render transport easier
(the active ingredient typically makes up 50 percent of the emulsified concentrate), but granulated and dry
pesticides are ready to use. The pesticide might be stored a short time before it is requested. When it is ready
for transport, the estimated necessary amount is sent to the farmer, who dilutes the emulsified concentrate to
create the amount of pesticide desired. In most instances, the final product consists of only 0.5 to 1 percent
of the original active ingredient. The pesticide is now ready to be applied.

Applying the pesticide

There are several ways to apply a pesticide. The method with which Americans are most familiar is crop
dusting, though its use is generally limited to large, flat areas. A plane loaded with 2000-liter (or larger)
tanks flies over a field and sprays out the pesticide from booms. Booms are long, horizontal rods from
which several sprinklers spray down. Another method is to attach the tanks and booms to a tractor and spray
closer to the ground. For small farmers, the most economical method of spraying is to use one or more
workers with hand-held sprayers attached to small tanks. A hand pump can be carried on the shoulder; its
tank capacity is only about 3 to 12 liters. Small tanks with a capacity of around 200 liters are also used. The
pesticides are applied with a hand gun. A rough estimate of the amount applied is 150 to
300 liters per hectare.

NATURAL OCCURING PESTICIDES

Many people are turning to natural pesticides as a less toxic, more environmentally friendly alternative to
synthetic pesticides.
Natural pesticides are pesticides that are made from things found in nature. They may be made from
minerals, plants, minerals, or microorganisms.
Experts have found that these natural pesticides don’t remain in the environment as long as synthetic
pesticides. They’re considered less toxic and more environmentally safe than many synthetic pesticides.
There are several different methods of natural pest control.
Botanical pesticides. These pesticides use naturally occurring chemicals that are derived or extracted from
plants or minerals.
One of these botanical pesticides is neem. This comes from the neem tree: Azadirachta indica. Experts say
that neem extract is toxic to caterpillars, aphids, and termites. It has low toxicity to mammals, though, and is
biodegradable.
Pyrethrins are a mixture of six plant chemicals used to control pests like fleas, flies, moths, and
3mosquitoes. It’s a compound found in some chrysanthemum flowers. It can be found in over 2,000
registered pesticide products. It’s fast-acting and is low in toxicity to mammals.

INSECTS PHEROMONES

Pheromones are chemicals used by insects and other animals to communicate with each
other. Insects send these chemical signals to help attract mates, warn others of predators, or
find food. Using specific pheromones, traps can be used to monitor target pests in
agriculture or in residential areas. By constantly monitoring for insects, it may be possible to
detect an infestation before it occurs. Early detection of pest insects using pheromone traps
can also lessen damage to agriculture and other plants. It can also limit the presence of
stinging insects near you.

Pests such as Asian gypsy moths and Japanese beetles can be damaging to plants and
may be controlled with a community wide effort. You might even find traps in your
neighborhood! Using pheromone traps can help find locations where the pests are becoming
established. Sometimes traps can also remove large populations. Large amounts of
pheromone dispersion can be used in agriculture to disrupt insect mating.

Tips to remember if using pheromone traps:

● Each pheromone is designed for a specific insect. No trap will be effective for all insects.
● Some pheromones may be lower risk than conventional pesticides.
● Lures need to be replaced often to better trap new insects.
● Pheromone traps attract pests. Do not place them in high traffic areas near people or
gardens, especially for wasps, hornets, or crop-damaging insects.
● Traps can be affected by weather events, check them after storms to see if they need
repair or replacement.
● Keep traps out of reach of children and pets.
● Wash your hands after using pheromones, as pests may follow you if you smell like one of
their own.
● Don't use outdoor products indoors. Always follow the label about how and where to use
the product.

Advantages Of Pesticides.
 Pesticides help reduce waterborne and insect transmitted diseases:

Such as malaria, Lyme disease and West Nile virus. Pesticides contribute to enhanced human
health by preventing disease outbreaks through the control of rodent and insect populations.

Pesticides help conserve the environment:

They enable farmers to produce more crops per unit area with less tillage, thus reducing
deforestation, conserving natural resources and curbing soil erosion. Pesticides are also critical
for the control of invasive species and noxious weeds.

Securing what’s in storage:

Even after the crop is in, it can be subject to attack by pests. Bugs, moulds, and rodents can harm
precious grains. Pesticides used in stored products can prolong the viable life of the produce,
prevent huge post-harvest losses from pests and diseases and protect the grain so it is safe to
eat.

Pesticides helped in making it easy to remove weeds or prevent pests without hardship:

Picking weeds by hand was a lengthy process that decreased productivity and also some pests
which were harmful to plants’ growth were now easily removed by the pesticides.

Pesticides help farmers to grow more crops in the same or less land:

When there are low chances of pests in crop fields then it becomes more chances of more
production of crops in the same land. The growth between 40 to 50 per cent of productivity allows
farmers to gain more benefits.

It helped globally to increase the economical growth of a country:

The economical growth of a country is very much dependent on the growth of food production
and the pesticides help farmers with a healthy yield that helps in improving economic growth.

Disadvantages Of Pesticides.

Impact on human health:

By continuous toxic food onsumption directly affects the health of humans drastically. So many
diseases such as allergy, asthma, cancers are occurred due to the use of harmful pesticides
which are found in many forms around us.

Negative effect on other life species:

The chemical kills various pests which damage crops but it also kills some species which can be
helpful for crops. butterflies, bees, and other soil organisms are killed when pesticides are applied
in the area.

Environmental pollution:
 Some farmers use an excess of pesticides which pollute not only soil but underground water
also.

Genetic defects:

The continuous use of pesticides leads to a negative impact on soil fertility for the long term.

Affect in pollination:

Pesticides affect the way of natural pollination done by bees and butterflies which reduces the
crop yield.