IFFCO-BAZAR

Pests, weeds, and diseases caused by them can kill up to 40% of crops. There are 30,000 different kinds of weeds that can hurt the growth of crops. Also, there are 10,000 different kinds of insects that eat plants and can ruin the crop. If we don't do something about the crops right away, these numbers could go up. But there's no need to worry because there are now many kinds of pesticides that kill pests, stop them from breeding, and protect crops from damage. Pesticides are not a choice for farmers; they have to be used because not doing so can waste money, time, and effort. More crop waste would also mean less food for everyone, and 795 million people around the world don't have enough food to live. So, you have no choice but to use a pesticide.

Also, if you think spraying pesticides is a good idea, let's look at what kinds of pesticides you should buy, what they do, and why. We will also help you figure out what kinds of organic pesticides you can use instead.

How do pesticides work?

Pesticide is a chemical that is used to get rid of, control, or kill pests, which are animals or plants that cause harm. They use disinfectants, antimicrobial, bacteria, and viruses, among other biological agents, to get rid of agricultural pests that can hurt crops and livestock. Pests can be things like fungi, rodents, slugs, snails, insects, weeds, bird mites, etc.

What Good Things Do Pesticides Do?

Pesticides are the best thing that has happened to farming because they save farmers time and money. Also, they protect crops and land from organisms or plants that don't belong there and take away all the nutrients from crops.

Pesticides help get rid of pests that can spread diseases to plants.

It keeps organisms from growing that can make people or animals sick.

It helps get rid of organisms that can get in the way of human activities and buildings.

Let's talk in depth about the benefits of the different types of pesticides used in farming.

1. More production on less land

Pesticides have helped farmers grow more crops on the same amount of land, which has led to a 20–50% increase in productivity. Pesticides also help farmers get more out of their inputs, like high-quality seeds, tools, fertilizers, nutrients, and water. Also, pesticides help farmers grow high-quality crops on small plots of land.

1. Stop diseases from spreading through water and insect

Since pesticides kill all kinds of pests in crops, land, and soil, they stop the spread of diseases that come from water or insects.

1. Pesticides save the environment.

Pesticides make it possible to grow more crops on the same amount of land with less work. This keeps soil erosion, deforestation, and the use of natural resources in check. Also, it helps keep dangerous plants and weeds away.

1. Helping countries become places where food is grown

With crop protection tools like pesticides, farmers can grow two or three crops per year. This helps them provide food for countries with shorter growing seasons or crop production.

1. Saves post-harvests

Pesticides are used in more places than just farm fields. The farmers can use them when they put the crops away for the winter. Also, the type of pesticides helps keep crops from going bad after they've been picked and gives them a longer shelf life.

Also, we know that pesticides help farmers be more productive. Let's scroll down to see what kinds of pesticides farmers use a lot in agriculture.

There are 8 common types of pesticides used in farming.

Pesticides can be put into different groups based on what they are used for or what kind of pests they kill. Let's talk about what pesticides are and what they are called:

Herbicides

Herbicides stop the growth of weeds, which can take away the nutrients that crops need to grow.

Also, 2,4-D, Clethodim, Glyphosate, Bentazon, and Clethodim are all pesticides that are used in agriculture as herbicides.

Insecticides

As the word "insecticide" suggests, insecticides attack insects' nervous systems to stop them from mating or spreading.

Some types of pesticides that are used to kill insects are organophosphate, carbamates, nicotine, fumigants, and biorational.

Fungicides

Fungicides stop fungi from growing and kill them completely. Also, they are easy to break down in the soil if there is air around.

Fungicides like maneb, nabam, and cycloheximide are types of pesticides.

Rodenticides

They are chemicals that are used to keep rats, mice, gophers, and even fish, birds, and mammals that can damage crops from living there.

Also, some rodenticides are chlorophacinone, diphacinone, brodifacoum, and bromadiolone.

Larvicides

Larvicides are pesticides that stop or slow the growth of larvae or mosquitoes or make them start breeding again to stop diseases like malaria that are spread by vectors.

Molluscicides

Pesticides that usually stop mollusks like snails, slugs, and others from living or moving around.

Bactericides

Pesticides kill harmful bacteria or stop them from spreading to crops and animals.

Algaecides

For better crop yield, these pesticides kill or slow the growth of algae.

Also, now that we know what pesticides are and how they work, let's talk about biodegradable and persistent pesticides.

Are Pesticides Biodegradable?

There is a type of pesticide that doesn't break down and keeps working.

Biodegradable pesticides are safe for the environment and are easy for microbes and other living things to break down into compounds.

Pesticides that stick around for a long time are hard to break down. It can take months or even years for them to break down into compounds.

Also, many farmers and people like to use organic pesticides to protect their crops and harvests from harsh chemicals.

How do organic pesticides work?

Organic pesticides are made from things that come from nature, like plants and minerals. But they don't have any chemicals at all and are less dangerous than pesticides that only use chemicals.

Types of Organic Pesticides or Bio Pesticides

Pesticides that are organic or natural can be made from microorganisms, plants, minerals, or biochemicals.

Microbial Pesticides

Microbial pesticides include agents derived from fungi, algae, bacteria, or natural protozoans or viruses. Also, these pesticides reduce the number of insects by making them sick with a toxin that they release.

Biochemical Pesticides

Biochemical pesticides can be made by people or come from nature. Also, they can stop insects from having babies and keep their numbers down.

Botanical Pesticides

Botanical pesticides come from plants that poison flying insects or send out larvae that eat them alive. Also, some common organic pesticides contain Pyrethrins, Nicotine, Neem, Rotenone, and sabadillas.

Mineral Pesticides

Some of the mineral pesticides are sulfur and lime-sulfur, which stop common insect pests from growing and living.

Is organic pest control better than chemical pest control?

When used in large amounts, pesticides, which are made of chemicals, can hurt the soil and make crops less healthy. So, organic pesticides come into play. They come from nature and have chemical parts, but when used in small amounts, they are not harmful to the environment.