The spectrum of a pesticide refers to the range of organism affected by a pesticide. Some pesticides target a specific type of insects or a family of insects, these are called narrow range or target specific pesticides. These pesticides are created to be toxic to specific pests while wanted plants and animals remain unharmed.
Broad spectrum pesticides are a chemical substance that can control a large variety of pests all at once. These pesticides kill everything, regardless of the species. These types of pesticides include most neonicotinoid, organophosphate, parathyroid and carbonate insecticides. An example if this would be DDT and its harmful effect of birds. DDT was originally meant to kill insects and while it did kill them, birds who came in contact with it became unable to reproduce properly causing reduced bird populations. |
The drift and grasshopper effect occurs when airborne contaminants, from the spraying of pesticides, travel over a long distance and effect things unintentionally. Although pesticides are meant to kill a certain pest, a large percentage of pesticides effect things other than their intended target. Often times they enter the air, and water and can even end up in the food we eat.
The use of pesticides decreases biodiversity in the soil. Animals can also be negatively effected be pesticides that remain on food after pesticide spraying. This application can also lead to depletion in food sources that certain types of animals need causing them to relocate, change their diets or even starve. Fish can also be harmed and suffocated by airborne pesticides settling in water. This contamination also hurts plant life and diminishes the oxygen content of water.
The use of pesticides decreases biodiversity in the soil. Animals can also be negatively effected be pesticides that remain on food after pesticide spraying. This application can also lead to depletion in food sources that certain types of animals need causing them to relocate, change their diets or even starve. Fish can also be harmed and suffocated by airborne pesticides settling in water. This contamination also hurts plant life and diminishes the oxygen content of water.
In a population of insects, there may be a few individuals that carry resistance genes, when a pesticide kills off its intended pests, these resistant ones remain. And as they reproduce they create more and more pesticide resistant pests. Which hinders the pesticides useless. With an overrunning number of pests, crop production lessens drastically.
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Negative effects of pesticides:
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Even though there are many reasons as to why pest resistance is negative, there are many ways to witch we can stop it. For example, by rotating crops, different crops are targeted by different pests allowing different pesticides to be used which minimized the pressure of a specific strain on resistance.
Many organizations have developed regulations for the usage of pesticides. These organizations include the multinational organization called the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). This organization was formed in 1963 to form a cooperative effort between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also a huge contributor to many regulations including that of pesticides.
There are quite a few developments that have been made in the field of pesticide alternatives. Such alternatives include biological pesticides that have be developed using fungi, bacteria, and other organically present substances. Some biological pesticides come from microorganisms that demonstrate natural effectiveness in targeted pest control. These biological chemicals generally are non toxic to humans or animals and often times don’t leave a persistent residue.
Other alternative to using pesticides are crop rotations and organic farming. Trap crops can also be used. These crops attract the bad pests away from the valuable crops. Another fix would be to release other organisms such as pest predators and parasites.
Many organizations have developed regulations for the usage of pesticides. These organizations include the multinational organization called the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). This organization was formed in 1963 to form a cooperative effort between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also a huge contributor to many regulations including that of pesticides.
There are quite a few developments that have been made in the field of pesticide alternatives. Such alternatives include biological pesticides that have be developed using fungi, bacteria, and other organically present substances. Some biological pesticides come from microorganisms that demonstrate natural effectiveness in targeted pest control. These biological chemicals generally are non toxic to humans or animals and often times don’t leave a persistent residue.
Other alternative to using pesticides are crop rotations and organic farming. Trap crops can also be used. These crops attract the bad pests away from the valuable crops. Another fix would be to release other organisms such as pest predators and parasites.