Both insects and weeds jeopardize crop success. Various insects consume specific crops while weeds compete with crops for space, sunlight and water. Consequently, a rationalized approach to agriculture must entail methods to neutralize these risk factors. Conventional farmers rely heavily on application of herbicides and insecticides; in 1991 U.S. farmers applied 2.2 billion pounds of pesticides to their crops.
When World War II ended, manufacturers found several ways to make use of wartime chemical supplies, one of which was to develop herbicides and insecticides from toxic chemicals and market them to farmers. Since 1945, pesticide use has increased 3,300 percent while crop loss from insect damage has increased 20 percent. Globally, the sale of pesticides has become a 25 billion dollar market.
Rationalizing a form of production that centers around living organisms is not easy. Insects become resistant to pesticides, forcing researchers to continually develop new chemical compounds. Greater public concern about the impact of pesticides on human health have further complicated matters. Researchers must develop compounds which are less persistent yet still effective. Consequently money spend on research and testing continues to rise.
When a crop is sprayed with insecticide helpful insects such as ladybugs and spiders are killed along with the insect that is consuming the crop. With the eradication of natural predators, a crop becomes more susceptible to pests than before, and increasingly dependent on the application of insecticides.
So far, more than 50 pesticides have been banned or restricted in the United States. When DDT was banned in 1972, animal populations had already suffered greatly from ingesting this toxic compound. The peregrine falcon nearly became extinct, in large part because DDT damaged their reproductive capabilities. Although traces of DDT can still be found in animal tissues, affected populations such as the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon are making a recovery.
Pest control presently seems to be taking a new direction as some commercial farmers abandon heavy spraying and turn to an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. IPM involves blending several methods of pest control in ways that best address the specific pest problem at hand. Although chemical pesticides are used by those practicing IPM, they are applied only as needed and in conjunction with non toxic alternatives. Natural pesticides provide a safe option, but have limited effectiveness. Biological control of pests is also possible. This effective method uses predators, parasites or viruses to deplete pest populations. Physical controls such as trapping and collection can be utilized, but traps are expensive and collecting is labor intensive. Finally, interference with pest development and behavior is possible by use of juvenile hormones, sterilization and other complex species-specific methods.
Perhaps IPM will replace heavy reliance on chemical pesticides as farmers and consumers become more aware of the deleterious impact pesticides have had on human and animal health. Thus far efforts to reduce the risk of crop failure, via pesticide application may have created more risks than they have eliminated.
Reducing Risk Through Pest Control
Both insects and weeds jeopardize crop success. Various insects consume specific crops while weeds compete with crops for space, sunlight and water. Consequently, a rationalized approach to agriculture must entail methods to neutralize these risk factors. Conventional farmers rely heavily on application of herbicides and insecticides; in 1991 U.S. farmers applied 2.2 billion pounds of pesticides to their crops.
When World War II ended, manufacturers found several ways to make use of wartime chemical supplies, one of which was to develop herbicides and insecticides from toxic chemicals and market them to farmers. Since 1945, pesticide use has increased 3,300 percent while crop loss from insect damage has increased 20 percent. Globally, the sale of pesticides has become a 25 billion dollar market.
Rationalizing a form of production that centers around living organisms is not easy. Insects become resistant to pesticides, forcing researchers to continually develop new chemical compounds. Greater public concern about the impact of pesticides on human health have further complicated matters. Researchers must develop compounds which are less persistent yet still effective. Consequently money spend on research and testing continues to rise.
When a crop is sprayed with insecticide helpful insects such as ladybugs and spiders are killed along with the insect that is consuming the crop. With the eradication of natural predators, a crop becomes more susceptible to pests than before, and increasingly dependent on the application of insecticides.
So far, more than 50 pesticides have been banned or restricted in the United States. When DDT was banned in 1972, animal populations had already suffered greatly from ingesting this toxic compound. The peregrine falcon nearly became extinct, in large part because DDT damaged their reproductive capabilities. Although traces of DDT can still be found in animal tissues, affected populations such as the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon are making a recovery.
Pest control presently seems to be taking a new direction as some commercial farmers abandon heavy spraying and turn to an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. IPM involves blending several methods of pest control in ways that best address the specific pest problem at hand. Although chemical pesticides are used by those practicing IPM, they are applied only as needed and in conjunction with non toxic alternatives. Natural pesticides provide a safe option, but have limited effectiveness. Biological control of pests is also possible. This effective method uses predators, parasites or viruses to deplete pest populations. Physical controls such as trapping and collection can be utilized, but traps are expensive and collecting is labor intensive. Finally, interference with pest development and behavior is possible by use of juvenile hormones, sterilization and other complex species-specific methods.
Perhaps IPM will replace heavy reliance on chemical pesticides as farmers and consumers become more aware of the deleterious impact pesticides have had on human and animal health. Thus far efforts to reduce the risk of crop failure, via pesticide application may have created more risks than they have eliminated.
Where Have all the Farmers Gone?
Farmers and the "Agri-business Chain"
Reducing Risk Through Pest Control
Increasing Yields With Chemical Fertilizers
Genetic Engineering and Agriculture
Rationalization Through Mechanization