““CROP PROTECTION” CROP PROTECTION” PESTICIDE USEPESTICIDE USE

AGST 3000AGST 3000Agriculture, Society and the Natural Agriculture, Society and the Natural

WorldWorld

Some DefinitionsSome Definitions

Crop Protecting AgentCrop Protecting Agent = A politically = A politically correct term for Pesticides.correct term for Pesticides.

Pesticide = a substance that kills a Pesticide = a substance that kills a pest (insect, weed, bacteria, pest (insect, weed, bacteria, nematode…)nematode…)

1. Herbicide = plant killer1. Herbicide = plant killer

2. Insecticide = insect killer2. Insecticide = insect killer

3. Rodenticide = rodent killer3. Rodenticide = rodent killer Other “cides”??Other “cides”??

Why are pesticides used in Why are pesticides used in agriculture and the environment?agriculture and the environment?

1. Agriculture:1. Agriculture:

a. Use of “crop protecting” agents a. Use of “crop protecting” agents improves yield and quality of agricultural improves yield and quality of agricultural products, consumer preferencesproducts, consumer preferences

b. Prevents the spread of diseases to crops and b. Prevents the spread of diseases to crops and livestock (Pierce’s Disease)livestock (Pierce’s Disease)

c. The use of pesticides is regulated by the E.P.A. c. The use of pesticides is regulated by the E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency), State law (Environmental Protection Agency), State law and County regulation)and County regulation)

Why are pesticides used in agriculture, society and the Why are pesticides used in agriculture, society and the environment?...continuedenvironment?...continued

2. 2. Society & Environment:Society & Environment:a. Aesthetics - used regularly in city parks and a. Aesthetics - used regularly in city parks and other recreational areas to control insect other recreational areas to control insect damage and weeds (ie Disneyland, ball parks, damage and weeds (ie Disneyland, ball parks, schools, etc)schools, etc)

b. Protect humans from insect-borne diseases, b. Protect humans from insect-borne diseases, mosquitoes transmit many diseases (Mosquito mosquitoes transmit many diseases (Mosquito Abatement Programs) West Nile Virus, Malaria.Abatement Programs) West Nile Virus, Malaria.

c. Protect our food supply. In developing c. Protect our food supply. In developing countries (India), up to 1/3 of all harvested countries (India), up to 1/3 of all harvested grain is destroyed by rodents and insects.grain is destroyed by rodents and insects.

Concerns With Pesticide UseConcerns With Pesticide Use1. 1. Environmental concernsEnvironmental concerns

a. They kill beneficial insects and plants (non a. They kill beneficial insects and plants (non selective).selective).

b. Pollution – runoff of herbicides and b. Pollution – runoff of herbicides and insecticides into irrigation water and then insecticides into irrigation water and then into rivers - damages wildlife habitat, kills into rivers - damages wildlife habitat, kills fish.fish.

c. Cause cancer – organophosphates c. Cause cancer – organophosphates

d. Disrupt the natural ecosystem and natural d. Disrupt the natural ecosystem and natural biodiversitybiodiversity

e. Creates chemical resistance – insects and e. Creates chemical resistance – insects and weeds. Examples? weeds. Examples?

Integrated Pest Management Integrated Pest Management (IPM)(IPM)

Pest management that utilizes Pest management that utilizes several strategies to control insects several strategies to control insects and other pests rather than strictly and other pests rather than strictly relying on chemical control.relying on chemical control.

Four Components…Four Components…

1. Pest identification1. Pest identification – – important for proper pest important for proper pest control control

Confuse beneficial Confuse beneficial insects with harmful insects with harmful (not all bugs are bad!)(not all bugs are bad!)

Pest that’s on the plant Pest that’s on the plant may not be the one may not be the one causing damage.causing damage.

Damage may not even Damage may not even be caused by an insect be caused by an insect (herbicide or nutritional (herbicide or nutritional deficiency, weather deficiency, weather damage etc.)damage etc.)

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) ComponentsComponents

2. Surveying for pests 2. Surveying for pests – systematically – systematically check for pests and check for pests and pest damagepest damage

Pheromone trapsPheromone traps

Sweeping the Sweeping the fieldfield

Random leaf, Random leaf, fruit and stem fruit and stem samplessamples

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) ComponentsComponents

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) ComponentsComponents

3. Encourage Beneficial Insect/Animal 3. Encourage Beneficial Insect/Animal PopulationsPopulations

Use milder chemicals or selective sprays Use milder chemicals or selective sprays that don’t kill beneficial animals.that don’t kill beneficial animals.

Examples – “Barn Owl Nesting Boxes” – Examples – “Barn Owl Nesting Boxes” – rodent controlrodent control

Predatory wasp populations – fly control Predatory wasp populations – fly control in poultry and dairy operationsin poultry and dairy operations

Natural insect enemies – lady bugs, lace Natural insect enemies – lady bugs, lace wings, praying mantis, predatory miteswings, praying mantis, predatory mites

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) ComponentsComponents

4. Control Action Guidelines – 4. Control Action Guidelines –

Application of pesticides only after a Application of pesticides only after a certain number of pests have been certain number of pests have been found and there is a threat of found and there is a threat of economic loss.economic loss.

A Little History….

Early pesticides were developed from neurotoxins researched for germ-warfare in WWI and WWII.

DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethylene)

1948 Paul Herman Mueller was awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine for his research on the benefits of DDT.

After WWII DDT was used in agriculture.

The Environmental The Environmental MovementMovement

Rachel Carlson (1962) – beginning of the modern Rachel Carlson (1962) – beginning of the modern environmental movement, created an awareness of environmental movement, created an awareness of the damage pesticides were causing on the the damage pesticides were causing on the environment with her book – “Silent Spring” environment with her book – “Silent Spring”

Near loss of the Bald Eagle and many fish-eating Near loss of the Bald Eagle and many fish-eating birds was attributed to DDT.birds was attributed to DDT.

DDT – An example of an effective pesticide!DDT – An example of an effective pesticide! Insect/disease control - Potent toxin, long half-lifeInsect/disease control - Potent toxin, long half-life Still used to control mosquitoes in developing countriesStill used to control mosquitoes in developing countries Malaria, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever – spread by mosquitoesMalaria, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever – spread by mosquitoes Yellow Fever – nearly prevented the colonies from being Yellow Fever – nearly prevented the colonies from being

settledsettled More soldiers were lost in WWII due to mosquito-borne More soldiers were lost in WWII due to mosquito-borne

disease than in battle.disease than in battle.

Sociology of Pesticides Sociology of Pesticides continued…continued…

Vietnam War – used defoliants to clear forests Vietnam War – used defoliants to clear forests

Post War Conditions – Refugee camps, many Post War Conditions – Refugee camps, many diseasesdiseases

Modern Challenge…Disease could be used as a Modern Challenge…Disease could be used as a weapon (biological and chemical agents)weapon (biological and chemical agents)

Bubonic Plague – infected fleas & dropped them Bubonic Plague – infected fleas & dropped them on China during WWII; killed 50,000 peopleon China during WWII; killed 50,000 people

Many people think all pesticides should be Many people think all pesticides should be banned.banned.

San Francisco has tried to ban all pesticides; San Francisco has tried to ban all pesticides; this would include germ killers like Chlorine this would include germ killers like Chlorine

Pesticide Routes of EntryPesticide Routes of Entry

Dermal (skin) most commonDermal (skin) most common

OralOral

RespiratoryRespiratory

OcularOcular

Pesticide Toxicological TestsPesticide Toxicological Tests

U.S. food supply is the safest in the worldU.S. food supply is the safest in the world

““Risk Cup” – EPA evaluate scientifically Risk Cup” – EPA evaluate scientifically the level of risk compared to benefits.the level of risk compared to benefits.

Fill the cup with all the risks an individual Fill the cup with all the risks an individual is exposed to during their lives.is exposed to during their lives.

Politics of Pesticides Politics of Pesticides continued…continued…

““Biocides” – easily manufactured & inexpensiveBiocides” – easily manufactured & inexpensive

Petroleum industry was the generator Petroleum industry was the generator

Pet pesticides – flea control, tick controlPet pesticides – flea control, tick control

Pharmaceutical industry does much of the Pharmaceutical industry does much of the pesticide research today, patent lasts 17 years pesticide research today, patent lasts 17 years & it takes 10 years to complete research & it takes 10 years to complete research process. process.

How much does this cost?How much does this cost?

Environmental Issues with Environmental Issues with PesticidesPesticides

Pesticides enter the environment through Pesticides enter the environment through crop application.crop application. Leach into aquiferLeach into aquifer Drift from applying during windDrift from applying during wind Improper usage and disposal of Improper usage and disposal of

containerscontainers

Central Valley has potential problems Central Valley has potential problems associated with continual pesticides and associated with continual pesticides and chemical applications. WHY?chemical applications. WHY?

Problem-“Bio-magnification” Problem-“Bio-magnification”

““Bio-magnification”Bio-magnification” DurationDuration…Chlorodane – killed lots of bugs, 30 year …Chlorodane – killed lots of bugs, 30 year

half-life, very stable in soil. Improper application of half-life, very stable in soil. Improper application of insecticide caused it to be banned.insecticide caused it to be banned.

AccumulationAccumulation…DDT – stays in the environment, …DDT – stays in the environment, organisms pick up the molecules and it stays in the organisms pick up the molecules and it stays in the animal’s tissues…animals eat animals and it passes animal’s tissues…animals eat animals and it passes on…Raptor egg shell thicknesson…Raptor egg shell thickness

ResistanceResistance develops – kill 99%; 1% left that are develops – kill 99%; 1% left that are resistant. Survivals detoxify chemicals used as resistant. Survivals detoxify chemicals used as pesticides low kill-rate. “Pesticide treadmill”pesticides low kill-rate. “Pesticide treadmill”

Some Answers to Reducing Some Answers to Reducing Pesticide UsePesticide Use

Control populations – work within ecological Control populations – work within ecological principles, IPM principles, IPM

Pest Control Advisors must use these Pest Control Advisors must use these practices, practices, an old ideaan old idea..

Select all the techniques to control pests. Select all the techniques to control pests. Understand the ecological interactions of the pests. Understand the ecological interactions of the pests. More is not necessarily better…follow application More is not necessarily better…follow application

guidelines strictly guidelines strictly

California has the strictest rules and California has the strictest rules and regulations concerning pesticides in the regulations concerning pesticides in the nation.nation.

Pesticide Regulations used in California Agriculture

ALL pesticide applicators must have a license which they obtain by successfully taking a test. “Private Applicator’s License” CE is required to maintain the license.

ALL Farm workers must use proper safety equipment – mask, gloves, safety glasses, coveralls. Must be trained in their native language.

Pesticide storage is monitored by the state government. County Health Dept. – Hazardous materials, pay a fee annually.

Pesticide Regulations used in California Agriculture

All pesticide run-off must be contained.

All farmers using pesticides must complete a NOI (Notice of Intent) with the county in order to apply ANY pesticide (even Round-Up). WHY?

Who monitors agriculture? What are the consequences for violators??

Organic Foods

Promoted as being “Healthier” because they’re farmed without the use of pesticides right??

Wrong! – organic farmers use pesticides! What’s the difference?

Examples?

Future Challenges?Future Challenges? IPM – “requires people to work smarter” IPM – “requires people to work smarter”

dealing with biology & ecology and utilizing…dealing with biology & ecology and utilizing…

““Environmentally Friendly” pesticidesEnvironmentally Friendly” pesticides Mycotoxins – “aflatoxins” naturally Mycotoxins – “aflatoxins” naturally

occurring toxins in peanuts, mushroomsoccurring toxins in peanuts, mushrooms

Organic FarmingOrganic Farming – now will be regulated by the – now will be regulated by the federal government, fringe element no more.federal government, fringe element no more.

““Biotechnology” – fear of the unknown, no risk Biotechnology” – fear of the unknown, no risk is acceptable according to anti-biotech groups.is acceptable according to anti-biotech groups.

Future of Chemicals & Future of Chemicals & PesticidesPesticides

Alternatives will be Key Issue…not a Alternatives will be Key Issue…not a new concept!new concept!

Beneficial insectsBeneficial insects Mechanical controlMechanical control Chemical controlsChemical controls Hedgerows – create a place for native Hedgerows – create a place for native

species- self perpetuatingspecies- self perpetuating Cover crops that produce nitrogen…lower Cover crops that produce nitrogen…lower

fertilizer usefertilizer use Cover crops that encourage beneficial Cover crops that encourage beneficial

insects...insects... Proper irrigation for various crops…Proper irrigation for various crops…

reduce runoffreduce runoff

JournalJournal What do you think are some of the greatest What do you think are some of the greatest

threats to using pesticides..?threats to using pesticides..?

In CaliforniaIn California In the USIn the US GloballyGlobally

What are some of the greatest benefits you see What are some of the greatest benefits you see from using pesticides?from using pesticides?

Do you feel that we can ever live without Do you feel that we can ever live without pesticides/chemicals? Why, Why not?pesticides/chemicals? Why, Why not?

Do you think that we have a tendency to Do you think that we have a tendency to overreact in California and are our laws and overreact in California and are our laws and regulations justified?regulations justified?