Although chemical pesticides safeguard crops and improve farm productivity, they are increasingly feared for their potentially dangerous residues and their effects on ecosystems. The Future Role of Pesticides explores the role of chemical pesticides in the decade ahead and identifies the most promising opportunities for increasing the benefits and reducing the risks of pesticide use. The committee recommends R&D, program, and policy initiatives for federal agriculture authorities and other stakeholders in the public and private sectors. This book presents clear overviews of key factors in chemical pesticide use, including: Advances in genetic engineering not only of pest-resistant crops but also of pests themselves. Problems in pesticide useâ€"concerns about the health of agricultural workers, the ability of pests to develop resistance, issues of public perception, and more. Impending shifts in agricultureâ€"globalization of the economy, biological "invasions" of organisms, rising sensitivity toward cross-border environmental issues, and other trends. With a model and working examples, this book offers guidance on how to assess various pest control strategies available to today's agriculturist.

This book brings together over 30 contributors with expertise in a variety of disciplines related to the topic. Although efforts continue toward reduction or elimination of pesticide chemicals in the management of pests in agriculture, public health and the urban arena, chemicals will continue to be one of the main weapons in control of insects, weeds, nematodes, plant diseases, etc. for some time to come. While considerable information is known about the acute toxicity of these compounds, information on the chronic effects from exposure to minute amounts of pesticide residues in food, water, air and soil is often very limited. This book approaches the topic from several different vantage points including pesticide epidemiology, new modes of action to minimize nontarget exposure, bioremediation of contaminated areas, molecular biology of the modes of action and detoxication of pesticides, and the dynamics of pesticide movement in the environment. As world leaders in the manufacture and use of pesticides, countries must cooperate in the search for safer pesticides with minimum chronic effects on humans and the environment. This book helps to remove the barriers of distance and language and should lead to new cooperative research efforts across country lines and discipline lines. Contents: Epidemiology of Pesticides Chronic Effects of Pesticides on Health Safer Insecticides Bioremediation of Pesticide Residues Biochemical and Molecular Biology of Pesticides Pesticide Ecology/Dynamics

Nano-Biopesticides Today and Future Perspectives is the first single-volume resource to examine the practical development, implementation and implications of combining the environmentally aware use of biopesticides with the potential power of nanotechnology. While biopesticides have been utilized for years, researchers have only recently begun exploring delivery methods that utilize nanotechnology to increase efficacy while limiting the negative impacts traditionally seen through the use of pest control means. Written by a panel of global experts, the book provides a foundation on nano-biopesticide development paths, plant health and nutrition, formulation and means of delivery. Researchers in academic and commercial settings will value this foundational reference of insights within the biopesticide realm. Provides comprehensive insights, including relevant information on environmental impact and safety, technology development, implementation, and intellectual property Discusses the role of nanotechnology and its potential applications as a nanomaterial in crop protection for a cleaner and greener agriculture Presents a strategic, comprehensive and forward-looking approach

Concern about health effects from exposure to pesticides in foods is growing as scientists learn more about the toxic properties of pesticides. The Delaney Clause, a provision of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, prohibits tolerances for any pesticide that causes cancer in test animals or in humans if the pesticide concentrates in processed food or feeds. This volume examines the impacts of the Delaney Clause on agricultural innovation and on the public's dietary exposure to potentially carcinogenic pesticide residues. Four regulatory scenarios are described to illustrate the effects of varying approaches to managing oncogenic pesticide residues in food.

The use of pesticide in crop production is inevitable for a hungry world. The majority of world population are hungry, malnourished and hopeless, especially in sub-saharan africa, latin america and asia. For them anything can go for food when it comes to hunger and starvation. The soils in most of these places are impoverished and agricultural output is low. There are many incidences of tropical pests and diseases. All the farmers clamour for improved yield, no matter the means. For them government should not only provide fertilizers and pesticides but highly subsidize or make them free. If increased soil fertility and yield means pouring fertilizer and pesticides to agricultural fields without recourse to rates and soil test, they are ready and free to do so, as little or no regulations are enforced to regulate their use. Nevertheless, if wishes are horses, every developing world farmer will be king. Their wishes are not backed by financial and government power and wherewithal. You see three million farmers competing for 100 bags of fertilizers and 100 liters of pesticide per year with empty pockets. To them the grammar of pesticide in crop production: environmental implications and future challenges are capacity building workshop/seminar grammar where farmers come to wrestle with government and consultant facilitators on breakfast/dinner and envelope money. To them, that is their share of national or international donor cake, because after the workshop there will never be fertilizer or pesticides for their needs. Rather, the facilitators have fulfilled their legal and formal job of pocketing national or foreign donor money into their private bank accounts in the name of bribery and corruption, sometimes including nepotism and all the English in the world.Nevertheless, in developed world who are free from hunger and starvation, in addition to all the agricultural inputs and finance they need for maximum production; they know that all eyes are on them. What they do will make or mare their business. Since the farmers and investors do not want to loose their money as a result of product bycut or seizure and destroy; they operate under the ambient of the law. On the other hand no investor in developed world wants to be idle or engage in unprofitable business. Hence, all hands must be on deck to maintain maximum output and control price at national and international markets. No wonder Meermann et al (1997) lamented that even after 35 years of Rachel Carson publication of "silent spring" with devastating account of the effects of indiscriminate use of agrochemicals, the one sided push for increased output continues. Thus, nature is controlled to this end and reliance on pesticide has not diminished. According to the author, in northern countries, the environmental movement, followed hesitantly by government regulation, has had some impact on stabilizing and perhaps curbing agrochemicals; but in the south, the use of pesticides has increased and chemical companies aggressively expand their markets. However, the search for reliable alternative pest management methods will continue to face farmers, investors and scientists in this century even as pests develop resistance to some available pesticides in midst of transgenic crops. Till that feat food production at extra scale must go on using contaminant level pesticides and avoiding or banning pollutant level pesticides.

In this fascinating book, Graham Matthews takes the reader through the history of the development and use of chemicals for control of pests, weeds, and vectors of disease. Prior to 1900 only a few chemicals had been employed as pesticides but in the early 1940s, as the Second World War raged, the insecticide DDT and the herbicide 2-4-D were developed. These changed everything. Since then, farmers have been using a growing list of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides to protect their crops. Their use has undoubtedly led to significant gains in agricultural production and reduction in disease transmission, but also to major problems: health concerns for both users of pesticides and the general public, the emergence of resistance in pest populations, and environmental problems. The book examines the development of legislation designed to control and restrict the use of pesticides, the emergence of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the use of biological control agents as part of policy to protect the environment and encourage the sustainable use of pesticides. Finally, the use of new technologies in pest control are discussed including the use of genetic modification, targeted pesticide application and use of drones, alongside basic requirements for IPM such as crop rotations, close seasons and adoption of plant varieties with resistance to pests and diseases.