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PESTICIDE RESEARCH

 

What are pesticide and how does they work?

Ans. Pesticide are the toxic chemicals that are used to control any pest population through their contact systemic or gasseous (fumigant) action. They are used for preventive or corrective purpose and are classified into various groups on the basis of hazards e.g. extremely highly, moderately and shortly hazardous. Moreover, pesticides are classified are OC, OP, Carbamate, Pyrethroids on the basis of chemical structure.

 

Are their any ill hazards of pesticide application on human and environment?

Ans. Pesticides are classified according to either toxicity level into various groups. All the pesticides are toxic and their application is required to be carried out following the recommendation of manufacturers. Over dosing of pesticides in any crop may result into severe health hazards like disturbance of CNS, disordering reproductive system and produce cancer. Poisoning may be due to direct exposure of through food chain (indirect exposure) followed by medical symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headache and unconsciousness. Extensive, ill planned and improperly applied pesticides cause soil & water contamination ad air pollution.

 

What is the toxicity level of insecticides?

Ans. The nature of toxicity of different pesticides vary from each other. Some of them are cancer producing, others are liver damaging or nervous poisons. The toxicity level of various pesticides is different for various crops and the environment. International bodies have set Maximum Residue Level (MRL) for various pesticides on various commodities. Residue beyond these limits is not acceptable and may result on health and environmental problems.

 

How can we ensure that the sprays are carried out properly?

Ans. The spray should be carried out keeping in view the dose recommended by the manufacturer. The spray equipment must not be substandard and the nosels calibrated for spraying. Frequent spraying and the use of same pesticide for consequent sprays should be avoided as much as possible.

 

What are the other precautions of spray?

Ans. Spray should not be carried out by untrained personnel. The applicator must ensure his protection by using necessary tools viz. gloves/masks etc. Spray should be done on target material and keeping in view the air direction to apply it on specific area and also to protect the environment.

 

What is PARC’s role in pesticide research?

Ans. PARC is playing a key role in pesticide research through development of application techniques and its extensive research to determine the pesticide residues in agricultural products and the environment. By now thousand of samples have been analyzed for pesticide residues in fruits, vegetables, human blood and the environment.