Pesticide Fate, Toxicity and Trends Research

RESEARCH – PESTICIDES – FATE, TOXICITY, AND TRENDS
Land Grant University scientists are studying the fate, transport, and toxicity of pesticides in the environment and trends in how pesticides are used on farms and in urban areas. With this knowledge, best management practices can be developed and pesticides better controlled.

Fate

japanese beetle on crop Possible direct connection between macropores and subsurface drains and the consequent rapid transport of pesticides into adjacent surface water streams and rivers are being investigated using the laboratory columns at the University of Mississippi. This information will assist research and governmental agencies in developing models better suited at simulating such transport pathways.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin conducted laboratory and field studies in tropical and temperate sites to study water and solute movement in detail and to develop new conceptual models of pesticide leaching and persistence.

By using intensive ambient measurements of environmental concentrations and fluxes of pesticides in selected sub-watersheds, researchers at the University of Maryland determined trends and interactions of pesticides between environmental compartments. They also investigated the fundamental physical and chemical processes involved in the movement and fate of pesticides from the point of application or emission.

Oregon State University collaborated with several stakeholder groups to monitor the effectiveness of pesticide BMPs at the Watershed Scale, in the Hood River basin of Oregon. This effort resulted in: reduced chemical inputs; improved stakeholder communication; partnership with DEQ in outreach; emphasis on BMPs rather than strict regulation. This success story has been presented locally, nationally, and internationally. The approach is now employed in other Oregon watersheds and is a model for a FAO-sponsored monitoring/farmer-field-school effort in West Africa. The 4-year monitoring study clearly documented the relationship between use practices for the monitored pesticides and stream loading throughout the watershed. The DEQ-OSU partnership in the monitoring effort and stakeholder participation in study design and implementation sharply reduced the adversarial relationship that often prevails between regulatory agencies and regulated industries. For pesticide water quality issues OSU Extension is seen as a trusted resource to producers, non-ag stakeholders, and state regulatory agencies. A survey of Hood River Valley fruit growers conducted in 2004 indicated increased knowledge and adoption of BMPs.

Toxicity

fruit tree blossoms Through the National Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center, CSREES funded several projects, including those at Auburn and Tuskegee Universities, the University of California, and the University of Georgia, to assess alternatives to methyl bromide as a soil fumigant. These projects evaluated groundwater risks imposed by new fumigants and the existing fumigants used in modified ways and developed guidelines to safeguard groundwater from fumigant pollution.

Researchers at Southern Illinois University, the University of California at Davis and the US EPA summarized some of the issues related to the toxicity of pesticide mixtures. In general, mixture studies are difficult to perform and are further complicated by the fact that the observed interactions are often not predictable given our current knowledge of the processes involved.

For over forty years, the IR-4 Project has been the major resource for supplying pest management tools for specialty crops by developing research data to support registration clearances. Their mission to provide safe, both to human health and the environment, and effective pest management solutions for specialty crop growers.

Trends

insect pest Researchers at the University of Idaho conducted a series of grower surveys on the importance of integrated pest management in the wheat, potato, and onion industries.

Researchers at Colorado State University conducted surveys that indicated the producers are accepting many of the pesticide best management practices (BMPs) that protect water quality. However, there were considerable differences in adoption between practices, regions, and producer demographic groups. Practices that had an obvious economic benefit seem to be used more often than those where the return from increased managerial input is less obvious.

Researchers out of Kansas State University, with funding from the North Central IPM Center, conducted surveys in 2004 on pesticide usage and alternative IPM adoption on commodity corn in the northern and central plains (KS, NE, ND, and SD). This data will be utilized in US EPA risk assessment models.

apple blossoms A national network of four regional Pest Management Centers charged with advancing IPM and collaborating with other programs such as water quality. The centers were established to strengthen USDA’s connection with production agriculture, research and extension programs and agricultural stakeholders throughout the U.S. Across the nation, pest management strategic plans have been developed by regional IPM centers. The goals of these plans are to identify possible new pest management alternatives and/or safer pesticides. These plans identify key pests of regional crops, assess the current pest management practices and any resulting environmental impacts.

Pest Managers are charged with using the IPM Roadmap as a guideline for IPM research and extension activities and projects. This Roadmap suggests research linkages between pest management, reduced pesticide use and water quality improvements.