Common Pesticides useds in Agriculture

Pesticide
A pesticide is any chemical which is used by man to control pests. The pests may be
insects, plant diseases, fungi, weeds, nematodes, snails, slugs, etc. Therefore,
insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, etc., are all types of pesticides. Some pesticides
must only contact (touch) the pest to be deadly. Others must be swallowed to be
effective. The way that each pesticide attacks a pest suggests the best way to apply it; to
reach and expose all the pests. For example, a pesticide may be more effective and less
costly as a bait, rather than as a surface spray.

Types of Pesticides
Bactericides
A bactericide or bacteriocide is a substance that kills bacteria and, preferably, nothing
else. Bactericides are either disinfectants, antiseptics or antibiotics.

Fungicides
Fungicides are chemical compounds used to prevent the spread of fungi or plants in
gardens and crops, which can cause serious damage resulting in loss of yield and thus
profit. Though oomycetes are not fungi, they use the same mechanisms to infect
plants[1] and therefore in phytopathology chemicals used to control oomycetes are also
referred to as fungicides. Fungicides are also used to fight fungal infections.Fungicides
can either be contact or systemic. A contact fungicide kills fungi when sprayed on its
surface; a systemic fungicide has to be absorbed by the plant.Fungicide residues have
been found on food for human consumption, mostly from post -harvest treatments. Some
fungicides are dangerous to human health, such as Vinclozolin, which has now been
removed from use.Like other pesticides, fungicides can induce pesticide resistance.
Equivalently, antifungal drugs can induce drug resistance.

Herbicides
A herbicide is used to kill unwanted plants. Selective herbicides kill specific targets
while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed. Some of these act by interfering
with the growth of the weed and are often based on plant hormones. Herbicides used to
clear waste ground are nonselective and kill all plant material with which they come
into contact. Some plants produce natural herbicides, such as the genus Juglans
(walnuts). Herbicides are widely used in agriculture and in landscape turf management.
They are applied in total vegetation control (TVC) programs for maintenance of
highways and railroads. Smaller quantities are used in forestry, pasture systems, and
management of areas set aside as wildlife habitat.

Insecticides
An insecticide is a pesticide used against insects in all developmenta l forms. They
include ovicides and larvicides used against the eggs and larvae of insects. Insecticides
are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and the household. The use of insecticides is
believed to be one of the major factors behind the increase in agricultural productivity
in the 20th century. Nearly all insecticides have the potential to significantly alter
ecosystems; many are toxic to humans; and others are concentrated in the food chain. It
is necessary to balance agricultural needs with environmental and health issues when
using insecticides.

Miticides
Miticides or acaricides are pesticides that kill mites. Antibiotic miticides, carbamate
miticides, formamidine miticides, mite growth regulators, organochlorine, permethrin
and organophosphate miticides are all in this category. Diatomaceous earth will also
kill mites by cutting through the skin which drys out the mite. Ivermectin can be
prescribed by a medical doctors to rid humans of mite and lice infestations and there are
agricultural formulations for birds and rodents that are infested.

Common miticides
Methoprene is virtually harmless to non-insects, and the US EPA has exempted it from
tolerance. It is widely available in supermarkets, ctc. Hydroprene is toxic to fish &
perhaps birds. Both are for indoor use only, as they break down in sunlight. Methoprene
is applied as a wetting spray, hydroprene as an aerosol space spray. Neither will affect
adult insects; they work on future generations by preventing growth or maturation.
Permethrin can be applied as a spray or in more targeted forms (e.g. Damminix
TickTubes ) that attack the ticks and mites on mammalian hosts. Their effects are not
limited to mites: lice, cockroaches, fleas, mosquitos, & other insects will be affected.
Permethrin, however, is not known to harm mammals or birds, as it has a low
mammalian toxicity and is poorly absorbed by skin.

Molluscicides
Molluscicides are pesticides used to control molluscs, such as motts, slugs and snails.
These substances include metaldehyde, methiocarb and aluminium sulfate. They should
be used with caution, as they can be harmful to non-target animals. Most molluscicides
are not used in organic gardening, though there are exceptions, such as iron phosphate.

Nematicides
A nematicide is a type of chemical pesticide used to kill parasitic nematodes
(roundworms). One common nematicide is obtained from neem cake, the residue
obtained after cold-pressing the fruit and kernels of the neem tree. Known by several
names in the world, the tree was first cultivated in India since ancient times and is now
widely distributed throughout the world.

Rodenticides
Rodenticides are a category of pest control chemicals intended to kill rodents.Single
feed baits are chemicals sufficiently dangerous that the firs t dose is sufficient to
kill.Rodents are difficult to kill with poisons because their feeding habits reflect their
place as scavengers. They will eat a small bit of something and wait, and if they don't
get sick, they continue. An effective rodenticide must be tasteless and odorless in lethal
concentrations, and have a delayed effect.

Virucides
It is for the control of viruses.

Pesticides can also be classed as synthetic pesticides or biological pesticides, although

the distinction can sometimes blur.
Broad-Spectrum Pesticides are those that kill an array of species, while narrow-
spectrum, or selective pesticides only kill a small group of species

A Systemic Pesticide moves inside a plant following absorption by the plant. This
movement is usually upward (through the xylem) and outward. Increased efficiency
may be a result. Systemic insecticides which poison pollen and nectar in the flowers
may kill needed pollinators such as bees.

Uses and Benefits

Pesticides are used to control organisms which can otherwise result in harm.For
example, they are used to kill mosquitoes that can transmit potentially deadly diseases
like west nile virus and malaria and bees, wasps or ants that can cause allergic
reactions. Insecticides can protect animals, because infestat ions by parasites such as
fleas may cause them illness.Pesticides can prevent sickness in humans that could be
caused by moldy food or diseased produce. Herbicides can prevent accidents by
clearing roadside trees and brush, which may block visibility. They can also kill
invasive weeds in parks and wilderness areas which may cause environmental damage.
Uncontrolled pests such as termites and mold can damage structures such as
houses.Pesticides are often very cost-effective for farmers. Pesticides are used in
grocery stores and food storage facilities to manage rodents and insects that infest food
such as grain. Each use of a pesticide carries some associated risk. Proper pesticide use
decreases these associated risks to a level deemed acceptable and increases quality of
life and protects property and the environment.

In 2006, the World Health Organization suggested the resumption of the limited use of
DDT to fight malaria.[4] They called for the use of DDT to coat the inside walls of
houses in areas where mosquitoes are prevalent. Dr. Arata Kochi, WHO's malaria chief,
said, "One of the best tools we have against malaria is indoor residual house spraying.
Of the dozen insecticides WHO has approved as safe for house spraying, the most
effective is DDT."Scientists estimate that DDT and other chemicals in the
organophosphate class of pesticides have saved 7 million human lives since 1945 by
preventing the transmission of diseases such as malaria, bubonic plague, sleeping
sickness, and typhus.

Banned Pesticides
Pesticides Banned for manufacture, import and use (25 Nos.)
 Aldrin
 Benzene Hexachloride
 Calcium Cyanide
 Chlordane
 Copper Acetoarsenite
 CIbromochloropropane
 Endrin
 Ethyl Mercury Chloride
 Ethyl Parathion
 Heptachlor
 Menazone
 Nitrofen
 Paraquat Dimethyl Sulphate
 Pentachloro Nitrobenzene
 Pentachlorophenol
 Phenyl Mercury Acetate
 Sodium Methane Arsonate
 Tetradifon
 Toxafen
 Aldicarb
 Chlorobenzilate
 Dieldrine
 Maleic Hydrazide
 Ethylene Dibromide
 TCA (Trichloro acetic acid)
Pesticide / Pesticide formulations banned for use but their manufacture is allowed
for export (2 Nos.)
 Nicotin Sulfate
 Captafol 80% Powder
Pesticide formulations banned for import, manufacture and use (4 Nos)
 Methomyl 24% L
 Methomyl 12.5% L
 Phosphamidon 85% SL
 Carbofuron 50% SP
Pesticide Withdrawn(7 Nos)
 Dalapon
 Ferbam
 Formothion
 Nickel Chloride
 Paradichlorobenzene (PDCB)
 Simazine
 Warfarin
Pesticides Restricted for use in India
 Aluminium Phosphide
 DDT
 Lindane
 Methyl Bromide
 Methyl Parathion
 Sodium Cyanide
 Methoxy Ethyl Merciru Chloride (MEMC)
 Monocrotophos(ban for use on vegetables)
Effect of Pesticides on human health
The effect of pesticides on human health is worst.Due to pesticides there can be number
of diseases which are lungs cancer Chronic liver damage cirrhosis and chronic
hepatitis, endocrine and reproductive disorders, immuno suppression, cytogenic effects,
breast cancer, Non hodkins lymphoma, polyneuritis, etc, etc