Pesticides News and Research

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Researchers analyze oxo-degradable and biodegradable plastics

The use of plastic mulch (plastic covering on crop lines) is a widespread technique used in agricultural regions in order to increase the profitability of the crops. According to the European Commission, 100,000 tonnes of plastic mulch was used per year in the European Union in 2016.

11 Dec 2020

Toxic pollutants may be influencing wildlife disease spread, finds study

Exposure to toxic pollutants associated with human activities may be influencing the spread of infectious diseases in wildlife, according to a new study from the University of Georgia.

From University of Georgia 11 Dec 2020

Neuropeptides produced by cockroaches could someday be targeted by new pesticides

Cockroaches are notorious for their abilities to survive and reproduce, much to humanity's chagrin. In addition to scurrying around at night, feeding on human and pet food, and generating an offensive odor, the pests can transmit pathogens and cause allergic reactions.

10 Dec 2020

Study examines impacts of widespread ocean pollution on human health

Ocean pollution is widespread and getting worse, and when toxins in the oceans make landfall they imperil the health and well-being of more than 3 billion people, according to a new report by an international coalition of scientists led by Boston College's Global Observatory on Pollution on Health and the Centre Scientifique de Monaco, supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

4 Dec 2020

English rivers are extensively contaminate with neurotoxic pesticides used in veterinary flea products

Researchers at the University of Sussex have found widespread contamination of English rivers with two neurotoxic pesticides commonly used in veterinary flea products: fipronil and the neonicotinoid imidacloprid. The concentrations found often far exceeded accepted safe limits.

17 Nov 2020

Study investigates fungitoxic activity of natural isothiocyanate derivatives of glucosinolates

The agricultural industry relies heavily on chemical fungicides to protect crops. Many of these products have a detrimental effect on human and animal health. As a result, some of the most effective fungicides are considered to be banned in a number of geographies, especially in Europe.

17 Nov 2020

Less diverse croplands lead to greater variability in pesticide use

As agriculture in the United States evolves, it's becoming more intensive and less complex. That means larger fields, more cropland and less crop diversity with fewer crops in rotation.

10 Nov 2020

Species-rich plant communities can limit herbivore pest outbreaks

Increasing plant diversity enhances the natural control of insect herbivory in grasslands. Species-rich plant communities support natural predators and simultaneously provide less valuable food for herbivores.

9 Nov 2020

Developing a new method to reduce antibiotic resistance in waterways

Dr. Aimee Murray speaks to AZoLifeSciences about her latest research that looks at a way of reducing antibiotic resistance build-up in waterways.

From University of Exeter 4 Nov 2020

GlobalData: Organic producers stand to gain from rise in public concern for the environment

Concern for the environment has remained of great importance to consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2 Nov 2020

Researchers are decoding the genetics of agricultural pests

The University of Cincinnati is decoding the genetics of agricultural pests in projects that could help boost crop and livestock production to feed millions more people around the world.

29 Oct 2020

Scientists develop UK Crop Microbiome Cyrobank to facilitate sustainable yield improvement

Scientists from the UK's foremost agricultural research institutes have teamed up to create a new UK Crop Microbiome Cyrobank (UK-CMCB) to safeguard future research and facilitate the sustainable yield improvement of the UK's six major food crops including barley, oats, oil seed rape, potato, sugar beet and wheat.

12 Oct 2020

Food scarcity and pesticide exposure reduce blue orchard bee reproduction

The loss of flowering plants and the widespread use of pesticides could be a double punch to wild bee populations. In a new study, researchers at the University of California, Davis, found that the combined threats reduced blue orchard bee reproduction by 57 percent and resulted in fewer female offspring.

From The University of California, Davis 7 Oct 2020

Deep learning-based technique could boost drug development

When you take a medication, you want to know precisely what it does. Pharmaceutical companies go through extensive testing to ensure that you do.

6 Oct 2020

Fungus in some organic pesticides can cause severe cob rot in maize

Protecting crops against pests and diseases is essential to ensure secure food supply. Around 95 percent of the food comes from conventional agriculture, which uses chemical pesticides to keep crops healthy. Increasingly, however, organic pesticides are also being sought as an alternative.

1 Oct 2020

Manual pollination increases the cocoa yield and farming income

Cocoa is in great demand on the world market, but there are many different ways to increase production. A research team from the University of Göttingen has now investigated the relative importance of the use of pesticides, fertilizers and manual pollination in a well replicated field trial in Indonesian agroforestry systems.

1 Oct 2020

Sociological study focuses on perceptions about food purity and impurity

Is an oozing apple with fuzzy white mold better than one that is fresh and green a month after you bought it? Yes, according to a new sociological study of Danes' perceptions about food 'purity' and 'impurity'.

11 Sep 2020

Study highlights the role of brain astrocyte cells in Parkinson's disease pathology

A new study using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology links astrocyte dysfunction to Parkinson's disease (PD) pathology.

9 Sep 2020

Insecticide can impact the feeding behavior of prawns leading to nutritional deficiency

Researchers from the University's National Marine Science Centre have demonstrated that imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, can impact the feeding behaviour of prawns in a laboratory environment, leading to nutritional deficiency and reduced flesh quality.

26 Aug 2020

Bacteria-driven process greatly decreases the toxicity of dioxin in the Passaic River

Bacteria that can help defuse highly toxic dioxin in sediments in the Passaic River - a Superfund hazardous waste site - could eventually aid cleanup efforts at other dioxin-contaminated sites around the world, according to Rutgers scientists.

From Rutgers University 20 Aug 2020