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Gensch L, Jantke K, Rasche L, Schneider UA. Pesticide risk assessment in European agriculture: Distribution patterns, ban-substitution effects and regulatory implications. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 348:123836. [PMID: 38522603 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
This study estimates the risks of agricultural pesticides on non-target organisms and the environment by combining detailed pesticide application data for 2015 with the Danish risk indicator Pesticide Load. We quantify and map the pesticide load of 59 pesticides on 28 crops and pastures in the EU. Furthermore, we investigate how recent bans on 14 pesticides in the EU could reduce pesticide use and load. Key findings show that the highest pesticide loads per hectare occur in Cyprus and the Netherlands due to high application rates and a high proportion of vegetable production. Chlorpyrifos caused the highest pesticide load per hectare on more than half of the assessed crops before its ban. The ban of 14 pesticides between 2018 and 2023 potentially reduced pesticide loads by 94%, but unobserved substitution effects could offset pesticide load reductions. Although bans on active substances are justified to control certain endpoint risks, our results highlight the potential weaknesses of bans that merely shift risks. These findings contribute to the ongoing scientific and societal discourse on efficiently mitigating pesticides' impacts on non-target organisms and the environment. However, to improve the evaluation of pesticide use, it is vital to enhance the reporting on detailed pesticide use for individual crop-pesticide combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Gensch
- Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Hamburg, Germany; International Max Planck Research School on Earth System Modelling, Hamburg, Germany; Research Unit Sustainability and Climate Risks, University of Hamburg, Germany; Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), University of Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Kerstin Jantke
- Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), University of Hamburg, Germany
| | - Livia Rasche
- Research Unit Sustainability and Climate Risks, University of Hamburg, Germany; Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), University of Hamburg, Germany; Land Use Economics, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Uwe A Schneider
- Research Unit Sustainability and Climate Risks, University of Hamburg, Germany; Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), University of Hamburg, Germany
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2
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García Carriquiry I, Silva V, Raevel F, Harkes P, Osman R, Bentancur O, Fernandez G, Geissen V. Effects of mixtures of herbicides on nutrient cycling and plant support considering current agriculture practices. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140925. [PMID: 38086451 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The use of mixtures of pesticides and consecutive pesticide applications challenge current regulations aimed at protecting ecosystem health due to unpredictable effects of complex and dynamic mixtures. In this study, we tested the ecotoxicological effects of mixtures of herbicides, applied following a real application scheme of soybean production on soil health in a mesocosm experiment. The experiment included two sequential applications; first, glyphosate + dicamba + clethodim, and 30 days later, flumioxazin + metolachlor. Commercial products were used at the recommended doses and at two other concentrations: half and double the recommended dose. Soybean plants were exposed to the herbicide-contaminated soil from the time of sowing to the beginning of pod formation. Half of the plants were harvested at the vegetative stage and the remaining plants at the reproductive stage to evaluate endpoints related to plant support and nutrient cycling. Plant biomass was significantly affected during the vegetative stage at the recommended and double the recommended dose, with the effects being mixture-dose dependent. Lower total and arbuscular colonization of mycorrhizas were also observed in double the recommended dose, and intermediate results were observed for the recommended dose. Nodule mass and phosphorous concentration in plants decreased with increasing herbicide doses. By the end of the experiment, nodule mass and total mycorrhizal colonization were low in the plants treated with double the recommended dose of herbicides. However, both endpoints reached similar values to the control at lower herbicide doses. Plant height and phenology were only lower at double the recommended dose during the experiment. The use of non-standard endpoints evidenced that important soil functions were transiently or permanently affected, while the realistic application scheme accounted for the impact of the management practice currently used. Pesticide risk assessment should therefore, incorporate both issues to effectively protect the ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- I García Carriquiry
- Soil Physics & Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands; CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
| | - V Silva
- Soil Physics & Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands
| | - F Raevel
- Soil Physics & Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands
| | - P Harkes
- Soil Physics & Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands
| | - R Osman
- Soil Physics & Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands
| | - O Bentancur
- Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - G Fernandez
- Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - V Geissen
- Soil Physics & Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands
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3
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Sowa G, Bednarska AJ, Laskowski R. Mortality Pattern of Poecilus cupreus Beetles after Repeated Topical Exposure to Insecticide─Stochastic Death or Individual Tolerance? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:1854-1864. [PMID: 38251653 PMCID: PMC10832044 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The mortality of organisms exposed to toxicants has been attributed to either stochastic processes or individual tolerance (IT), leading to the stochastic death (SD) and IT models. While the IT model follows the principles of natural selection, the relevance of the SD model has been debated. To clarify why the idea of stochastic mortality has found its way into ecotoxicology, we investigated the mortality of Poecilus cupreus (Linnaeus, 1758) beetles from pesticide-treated oilseed rape (OSR) fields and unsprayed meadows, subjected to repeated insecticide treatments. We analyzed the mortality with the Kaplan-Meier estimator and general unified threshold model for survival (GUTS), which integrates SD and IT assumptions. The beetles were exposed three times, ca. monthly, to the same dose of Proteus 110 OD insecticide containing thiacloprid and deltamethrin, commonly used in the OSR fields. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the mortality of beetles from meadows was much higher after the first treatment than after the next two, indicating the IT model. Beetles from the OSR displayed approximately constant mortality after the first and second treatments, consistent with the SD model. GUTS analysis did not conclusively identify the better model, with the IT being marginally better for beetles from meadows and the SD better for beetles from OSR fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Sowa
- Institute of Environmental
Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka J. Bednarska
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, A. Mickiewicza 33, 31-120 Kraków, Poland
| | - Ryszard Laskowski
- Institute of Environmental
Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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4
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Buddendorf WB, Wipfler L, Beltman W, Baveco H, Braakhekke MC, Bub S, Gergs A, Schad T. Aquatic Risks at the Landscape Scale: A Case Study for Pyrethroid Use in Pome Fruit Orchards in Belgium. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:15608-15616. [PMID: 37796045 PMCID: PMC10586366 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Procedures for environmental risk assessment for pesticides are under continuous development and subject to debate, especially at higher tier levels. Spatiotemporal dynamics of both pesticide exposure and effects at the landscape scale are largely ignored, which is a major flaw of the current risk assessment system. Furthermore, concrete guidance on risk assessment at landscape scales in the regulatory context is lacking. In this regard, we present an integrated modular simulation model system that includes spatiotemporally explicit simulation of pesticide application, fate, and effects on aquatic organisms. As a case study, the landscape model was applied to the Rummen, a river catchment in Belgium with a high density of pome fruit orchards. The application of a pyrethroid to pome fruit and the corresponding drift deposition on surface water and fate dynamics were simulated. Risk to aquatic organisms was quantified using a toxicokinetic/toxicodynamic model for individual survival at different levels of spatial aggregation, ranging from the catchment scale to individual stream segments. Although the derivation of landscape-scale risk assessment end points from model outputs is straightforward, a dialogue within the community, building on concrete examples as provided by this case study, is urgently needed in order to decide on the appropriate end points and on the definition of representative landscape scenarios for use in risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem B. Buddendorf
- Wageningen Environmental
Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Louise Wipfler
- Wageningen Environmental
Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wim Beltman
- Wageningen Environmental
Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Baveco
- Wageningen Environmental
Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Sascha Bub
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental
Sciences, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau
(RPTU), Fortstraße 7, D-76829 Landau, Germany
| | - André Gergs
- Research
& Development, Crop Science, Environmental Modelling, Bayer AG, 40789 Monheim, Germany
| | - Thorsten Schad
- Research
& Development, Crop Science, Environmental Modelling, Bayer AG, 40789 Monheim, Germany
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5
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Brühl CA, Arias Andres M, Echeverría-Sáenz S, Bundschuh M, Knäbel A, Mena F, Petschick LL, Ruepert C, Stehle S. Pesticide use in banana plantations in Costa Rica - A review of environmental and human exposure, effects and potential risks. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 174:107877. [PMID: 37030284 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Biodiversity is declining on a global scale. Especially tropical ecosystems, containing most of the planetary biodiversity, are at risk. Agricultural monocrop systems contribute to this decline as they replace original habitats and depend on extensive use of synthetic pesticides that impact ecosystems. In this review we use large-scale banana production for export purposes in Costa Rica as an example for pesticide impacts, as it is in production for over a century and uses pesticides extensively for more than fifty years. We summarise the research on pesticide exposure, effects and risks for aquatic and terrestrial environment, as well as for human health. We show that exposure to pesticides is high and relatively well-studied for aquatic systems and humans, but hardly any data are available for the terrestrial compartment including adjacent non target ecosystems such as rainforest fragments. Ecological effects are demonstrated on an organismic level for various aquatic species and processes but are not available at the population and community level. For human health studies exposure evaluation is crucial and recognised effects include various types of cancer and neurobiological dysfunctions particularly in children. With the many synthetic pesticides involved in banana production, the focus on insecticides, revealing highest aquatic risks, and partly herbicides should be extended to fungicides, which are applied aerially over larger areas. The risk assessment and regulation of pesticides so far relies on temperate models and test species and is therefore likely underestimating the risk of pesticide use in tropical ecosystems, with crops such as banana. We highlight further research approaches to improve risk assessment and, in parallel, urge to follow other strategies to reduce pesticides use and especially hazardous substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten A Brühl
- Institute for Environmental Sciences (iES) Landau, RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany.
| | - Maria Arias Andres
- Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances (IRET), Universidad Nacional (UNA), Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Silvia Echeverría-Sáenz
- Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances (IRET), Universidad Nacional (UNA), Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Mirco Bundschuh
- Institute for Environmental Sciences (iES) Landau, RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany; Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
| | - Anja Knäbel
- Institute for Environmental Sciences (iES) Landau, RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Freylan Mena
- Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances (IRET), Universidad Nacional (UNA), Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Lara L Petschick
- Institute for Environmental Sciences (iES) Landau, RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Clemens Ruepert
- Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances (IRET), Universidad Nacional (UNA), Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Sebastian Stehle
- Institute for Environmental Sciences (iES) Landau, RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
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6
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Idziak R, Sobczak A, Waligora H, Szulc P. Impact of Multifunctional Adjuvants on Efficacy of Sulfonylurea Herbicide Applied in Maize ( Zea mays L.). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1118. [PMID: 36903978 PMCID: PMC10004852 DOI: 10.3390/plants12051118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
To reduce the cost of intensive herbicide application and environment pollution and enhance biological effectiveness, effective multifunction adjuvants should be used. A field study was conducted in 2017-2019 in midwestern Poland in order to assess the effects of new adjuvant formulations on the activity of herbicides. Treatments included the herbicide nicosulfuron at recommended (40 g ha-1) and reduced rates (28 g ha-1) alone and with the addition of tested MSO 1, MSO 2, and MSO 3 (differing in the type and amount of surfactants), as well as standard (MSO 4 and NIS) adjuvants. Nicosulfuron was applied once during the 3-5 leaf stage of maize. Results indicate that nicosulfuron with the tested adjuvants provided satisfactory weed control equivalent to that provided by standard MSO 4 and better than that provided by NIS. Nicosulfuron applied with the tested adjuvants led to a similar grain yield of maize as that achieved with standard adjuvant treatments and much higher than that measured in untreated crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Idziak
- Department of Agronomy, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznan, Poland
| | - Angelika Sobczak
- Research and Education Center Gorzyń, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznan, Poland
| | - Hubert Waligora
- Department of Agronomy, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznan, Poland
| | - Piotr Szulc
- Department of Agronomy, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznan, Poland
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7
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Mukherjee RK, Kumar V, Roy K. Chemometric modeling of plant protection products (PPPs) for the prediction of acute contact toxicity against honey bees (A. mellifera): A 2D-QSAR approach. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 423:127230. [PMID: 34844352 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are vital for economic, viable agriculture and for food safety. Although Plant Protection Products (PPPs) are of undeniable importance in the global agricultural system, these have become potential threats for non-target organisms like pollinators (e.g., honey bees etc.), resulting in the disruption of the ecological balance. In the current work, we have used the 113 PPP analogs to develop a 2D-QSAR model and explored the structural features modulating the toxic effects on honey bees, following the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. The extensive validation of the developed model has been performed using internal and external validation metrics to make sure that the model is statistically sound and interpretable enough to be acceptable. The obtained results (R2 = 0.666, Q2 = 0.594, Q2F1 = 0.647 and Q2F2 = 0.646) determine the predictability and reliability of the developed model. This model should be useful for the predictions (acute contact toxicity (LD50)) of the new and untested compounds located inside the applicability domain of the developed model. Moreover, we have performed the in-silico prediction of toxicity against honey bees of a total of 709 compounds obtained from the pesticide properties database (PPDB) using the developed model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajendra Kumar Mukherjee
- Drug Theoretics and Cheminformatics (DTC) Laboratory,Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Vinay Kumar
- Drug Theoretics and Cheminformatics (DTC) Laboratory,Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Kunal Roy
- Drug Theoretics and Cheminformatics (DTC) Laboratory,Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India.
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8
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Weisner O, Frische T, Liebmann L, Reemtsma T, Roß-Nickoll M, Schäfer RB, Schäffer A, Scholz-Starke B, Vormeier P, Knillmann S, Liess M. Risk from pesticide mixtures - The gap between risk assessment and reality. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 796:149017. [PMID: 34328899 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pesticide applications in agricultural crops often comprise a mixture of plant protection products (PPP), and single fields face multiple applications per year leading to complex pesticide mixtures in the environment. Restricted to single PPP, the current European Union PPP regulation, however, disregards the ecological risks of pesticide mixtures. To quantify this additional risk, we evaluated the contribution of single pesticide active ingredients to the additive mixture risk for aquatic risk indicators (invertebrates and algae) in 464 different PPP used, 3446 applications sprayed and 830 water samples collected in Central Europe, Germany. We identified an average number of 1.3 different pesticides in a single PPP, 3.1 for complete applications often involving multiple PPP and 30 in stream water samples. Under realistic worst-case conditions, the estimated stream water pesticide risk based on additive effects was 3.2 times higher than predicted from single PPP. We found that in streams, however, the majority of regulatory threshold exceedances was caused by single pesticides alone (69% for algae, 81% for invertebrates). Both in PPP applications and in stream samples, pesticide exposure occurred in repeated pulses each driven by one to few alternating pesticides. The time intervals between pulses were shorter than the 8 weeks considered for ecological recovery in environmental risk assessment in 88% of spray series and 53% of streams. We conclude that pesticide risk assessment should consider an additional assessment factor to account for the additive, but also potential synergistic simultaneous pesticide mixture risk. Additionally, future research and risk assessment need to address the risk from the frequent sequential pesticide exposure observed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Weisner
- Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) Leipzig, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Institute for Environmental Sciences, University Koblenz-Landau, 76829 Landau in der Pfalz, Germany.
| | - Tobias Frische
- German Federal Environment Agency (UBA), 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Liana Liebmann
- Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) Leipzig, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Department Evolutionary Ecology & Environmental Toxicology (E3T), Institute of Ecology, Diversity and Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Thorsten Reemtsma
- Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) Leipzig, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Institute for Analytical Chemistry, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martina Roß-Nickoll
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf B Schäfer
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University Koblenz-Landau, 76829 Landau in der Pfalz, Germany
| | - Andreas Schäffer
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Björn Scholz-Starke
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; darwin statistics, 52072 Aachen, Germany
| | - Philipp Vormeier
- Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) Leipzig, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Saskia Knillmann
- Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) Leipzig, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; German Federal Environment Agency (UBA), 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Matthias Liess
- Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) Leipzig, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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9
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Lykogianni M, Bempelou E, Karamaouna F, Aliferis KA. Do pesticides promote or hinder sustainability in agriculture? The challenge of sustainable use of pesticides in modern agriculture. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 795:148625. [PMID: 34247073 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable agriculture aims to meet the food needs of the growing world population while ensuring minimal impact on the environment and humans as well as productivity. Although pesticides represent the backbone of the agri-food sector in its endeavor to secure food production their application is perceived by many as an obstacle towards the achievement of sustainability; the main concerns are linked with their adverse effects on human health and the environment. Τhis review aims to present the status of chemical plant protection and provide insights into the use of pesticides within the context of sustainable agriculture. It mainly focuses on the strengthened legislation frameworks, which especially in the European Union and the United States of America ensure the placement in the market of pesticides with acceptable toxicological and environmental profiles without compromising crop production. Furthermore, the implementation of Integrated Pest Management principles plays a key role in the sustainable use of pesticides. The stringent regulatory requirements have resulted in the dramatic increase of the associated effort and costs in pesticide research and development (R&D) of improved products. Nevertheless, the investment of leading agrochemical companies in the R&D of new pesticides remains high. All the above set the ground for the sustainable use of pesticides in crop production while their successful application remains a challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maira Lykogianni
- Laboratory of Pesticide Science, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera odos 75, 118 55 Athens, Greece; Laboratory of Efficacy Assessment of Pesticides, Scientific Directorate of Pesticides Assessment and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 St. Delta str., 145 61, Kifissia, Attica, Greece.
| | - Eleftheria Bempelou
- Laboratory of Pesticide Residues, Scientific Directorate of Pesticides Assessment and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 St. Delta str., 145 61, Kifissia, Attica, Greece.
| | - Filitsa Karamaouna
- Laboratory of Efficacy Assessment of Pesticides, Scientific Directorate of Pesticides Assessment and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 St. Delta str., 145 61, Kifissia, Attica, Greece.
| | - Konstantinos A Aliferis
- Laboratory of Pesticide Science, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera odos 75, 118 55 Athens, Greece; Department of Plant Science, McGill University, Macdonald Campus, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada.
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10
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Liess M, Liebmann L, Vormeier P, Weisner O, Altenburger R, Borchardt D, Brack W, Chatzinotas A, Escher B, Foit K, Gunold R, Henz S, Hitzfeld KL, Schmitt-Jansen M, Kamjunke N, Kaske O, Knillmann S, Krauss M, Küster E, Link M, Lück M, Möder M, Müller A, Paschke A, Schäfer RB, Schneeweiss A, Schreiner VC, Schulze T, Schüürmann G, von Tümpling W, Weitere M, Wogram J, Reemtsma T. Pesticides are the dominant stressors for vulnerable insects in lowland streams. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 201:117262. [PMID: 34118650 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Despite elaborate regulation of agricultural pesticides, their occurrence in non-target areas has been linked to adverse ecological effects on insects in several field investigations. Their quantitative role in contributing to the biodiversity crisis is, however, still not known. In a large-scale study across 101 sites of small lowland streams in Central Europe, Germany we revealed that 83% of agricultural streams did not meet the pesticide-related ecological targets. For the first time we identified that agricultural nonpoint-source pesticide pollution was the major driver in reducing vulnerable insect populations in aquatic invertebrate communities, exceeding the relevance of other anthropogenic stressors such as poor hydro-morphological structure and nutrients. We identified that the current authorisation of pesticides, which aims to prevent unacceptable adverse effects, underestimates the actual ecological risk as (i) measured pesticide concentrations exceeded current regulatory acceptable concentrations in 81% of the agricultural streams investigated, (ii) for several pesticides the inertia of the authorisation process impedes the incorporation of new scientific knowledge and (iii) existing thresholds of invertebrate toxicity drivers are not protective by a factor of 5.3 to 40. To provide adequate environmental quality objectives, the authorisation process needs to include monitoring-derived information on pesticide effects at the ecosystem level. Here, we derive such thresholds that ensure a protection of the invertebrate stream community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Liess
- Department System-Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Liana Liebmann
- Department System-Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Department Evolutionary Ecology & Environmental Toxicology (E3T), Institute of Ecology, Diversity and Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Philipp Vormeier
- Department System-Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Oliver Weisner
- Department System-Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Institute for Environmental Sciences, University Koblenz-Landau, 76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Rolf Altenburger
- Department of Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dietrich Borchardt
- Department Aquatic Ecosystems Analysis and Management, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Werner Brack
- Department Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Antonis Chatzinotas
- Department Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Beate Escher
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kaarina Foit
- Department System-Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roman Gunold
- Department Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sebastian Henz
- Department System-Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Mechthild Schmitt-Jansen
- Department of Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Norbert Kamjunke
- Department of River Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Oliver Kaske
- Department System-Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Saskia Knillmann
- Department System-Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Krauss
- Department Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Eberhard Küster
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Moritz Link
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University Koblenz-Landau, 76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Maren Lück
- Department System-Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Monika Möder
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alexandra Müller
- Federal Environmental Agency UBA, Dessau, UFZ, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Albrecht Paschke
- Department of River Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ralf B Schäfer
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University Koblenz-Landau, 76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Anke Schneeweiss
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University Koblenz-Landau, 76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Verena C Schreiner
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University Koblenz-Landau, 76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Tobias Schulze
- Department Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gerrit Schüürmann
- Department of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wolf von Tümpling
- Department of River Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Markus Weitere
- Department of River Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jörn Wogram
- Federal Environmental Agency UBA, Dessau, UFZ, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Thorsten Reemtsma
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
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11
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Niemczak M, Sobiech Ł, Grzanka M. Iodosulfuron-Methyl-Based Herbicidal Ionic Liquids Comprising Alkyl Betainate Cation as Novel Active Ingredients with Reduced Environmental Impact and Excellent Efficacy. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2020; 68:13661-13671. [PMID: 33170680 PMCID: PMC7705962 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c05850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A new family of bio-based herbicidal ionic liquids (HILs) has been synthesized starting from the renewable resource glycine betaine (a derivative of natural amino acids). After esterification, the obtained alkyl betainate bromides containing straight alkyl chains varying from ethyl to octadecyl were combined with a herbicidal anion from the sulfonylurea group (iodosulfuron-methyl). The melting points of the iodosulfuron-methyl-based salts were in a range from 51 to 99 °C, which allows their classification as ionic liquids (ILs). In addition, the new HILs exhibited good affinity for polar and semipolar organic solvents, such as DMSO, methanol, acetonitrile, acetone, and chloroform, while the presence of bulky organic cations reduced their solubility in water. The synthesized products turned out to be stable during storage at 25 °C for over 6 months; however, at 75 °C they underwent fast, progressive degradation and released volatile byproducts. The values of the logarithm of the octanol-water partition coefficient of ILs with alkyls longer than hexyl occurred in the "safe zone" (between 0 and 3); hence, the risk of their migration into groundwater after application or the possibility of their bioaccumulation in the environment is lower in comparison with the currently available commercial form (iodosulfuron-methyl sodium salt). Greenhouse studies confirmed a very high herbicidal efficacy for the obtained salts toward tested plants of oilseed rape, indicating that they may become an attractive replacement for the currently available sulfonylurea-based formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Niemczak
- Department
of Chemical Technology, Poznan University
of Technology, Poznan 60-965, Poland
| | - Łukasz Sobiech
- Department
of Agronomy, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan 60-637, Poland
| | - Monika Grzanka
- Department
of Agronomy, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan 60-637, Poland
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12
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Carnesecchi E, Toma C, Roncaglioni A, Kramer N, Benfenati E, Dorne JLCM. Integrating QSAR models predicting acute contact toxicity and mode of action profiling in honey bees (A. mellifera): Data curation using open source databases, performance testing and validation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 735:139243. [PMID: 32480144 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) provide key ecosystem services as pollinators bridging agriculture, the food chain and ecological communities, thereby ensuring food production and security. Ecological risk assessment of single Plant Protection Products (PPPs) requires an understanding of the exposure and toxicity. In silico tools such as QSAR models can play a major role for the prediction of structural, physico-chemical and pharmacokinetic properties of chemicals as well as toxicity of single and multiple chemicals. Here, the first integrative honey bee QSAR model has been developed for PPPs using EFSA's OpenFoodTox, US-EPA ECOTOX and Pesticide Properties DataBase i) to predict acute contact toxicity (LD50) and ii) to profile the Mode of Action (MoA) of pesticides active substances. Three different classification-based and four regression-based models were developed and tested for their performance, thus identifying two models providing the most reliable predictions based on k-NN algorithm. The two-category QSAR model (toxic/non-toxic; n = 411) was validated using sensitivity (=0.93), specificity (=0.85), balanced accuracy (=0.90), and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC = 0.78) as statistical parameters. The regression-based model (n = 113) was validated for its reliability and robustness (R2 = 0.74; MAE = 0.52). Current study proposes the MoA profiling for 113 pesticides active substances and the first harmonised MoA classification scheme for acute contact toxicity in honey bees, including LD50s data points from three different databases. The classification allows to further define MoAs and the target site of PPPs active substances, thus enabling regulators and scientists to refine chemical grouping and toxicity extrapolations for single chemicals and component-based mixture risk assessment of multiple chemicals. Relevant future perspectives are briefly addressed to integrate MoA, adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) and toxicokinetic information for the refinement of single-chemical/combined toxicity predictions and risk estimates at different levels of biological organization in the bee health context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Carnesecchi
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, PO Box 80177, 3508 TD Utrecht, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Chemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy.
| | - Cosimo Toma
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, PO Box 80177, 3508 TD Utrecht, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Chemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Roncaglioni
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Nynke Kramer
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, PO Box 80177, 3508 TD Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Emilio Benfenati
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Jean Lou C M Dorne
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Scientific Committee and Emerging Risks Unit, Via Carlo Magno 1A, 43126 Parma, Italy
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13
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Ment D, Kokiçi H, de Lillo E. Preventative Approach to Microbial Control of Capnodis tenebrionis by Soil Application of Metarhizium brunneum and Beauveria bassiana. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11050319. [PMID: 32456112 PMCID: PMC7291278 DOI: 10.3390/insects11050319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Management of the Mediterranean flat-headed root-borer, Capnodis tenebrionis, is critical due to the larvae’s root localization. Neonate larvae can be exposed to natural enemies before penetrating the roots. Application of Metarhizium brunneum strain Mb7 and Beauveria bassiana strain GHA formulations on rice granules was investigated for their efficacy against C. tenebrionis larvae. Mb7 application, evaluated on apricot twigs, significantly and dose-dependently reduced colonization rates of neonates, with highest mortality at 108 conidia/g soil. Neonate susceptibility to Mb7 and GHA was evaluated on potted rootstocks (GF677 almond × peach, 2729 plum) planted in entomopathogenic fungi (EPF)-premixed soil (1.3–1.6 × 105 conidia/cm3 soil) or in EPF-free soil surface-treated with 5 g Mb7 fungal granules (1.25 × 109 conidia). Larval colonization rates were reduced 7.4-fold in 2729 by both fungi; only Mb7 completely prevented colonization of GF677 by larvae. Larvae inside plant galleries exhibited mycosis with EPF-treated soils and both fungi proliferated on larval frass. Mb7 conidia germinated in the rhizosphere of GF677, and conidia of both fungi remained viable throughout the trial. Galleria baiting technique was used on EPF-treated soil to evaluate EPF infectivity over time; Mb7 and GHA persisted 180 and 90 days post inoculation, respectively. The formulation (fungus-covered rice grains), delivery method (mixing with soil) and persistence (3–6 months) of Mb7 and GHA are feasible for potential field application to control C. tenebrionis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Ment
- Department of Entomology, Nematology and Chemistry Units, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel
- Correspondence:
| | - Hysen Kokiçi
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti (DiSSPA), Sezione di Entomologia e Zoologia University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, I-70126 Bari, Italy; (H.K.); (E.d.L.)
| | - Enrico de Lillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti (DiSSPA), Sezione di Entomologia e Zoologia University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, I-70126 Bari, Italy; (H.K.); (E.d.L.)
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14
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Topping CJ, Aldrich A, Berny P. Overhaul environmental risk assessment for pesticides. Science 2020; 367:360-363. [PMID: 31974232 DOI: 10.1126/science.aay1144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C J Topping
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Kalø, Denmark.
| | - A Aldrich
- Department of Ecotoxicology, Agroscope, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - P Berny
- Department of Toxicology, Vetagro Sup Campus Vétérinaire, Marcy l'étoile, France
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15
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Yazid SNE, Jinap S, Ismail SI, Magan N, Samsudin NIP. Phytopathogenic organisms and mycotoxigenic fungi: Why do we control one and neglect the other? A biological control perspective in Malaysia. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2020; 19:643-669. [DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Siti Nur Ezzati Yazid
- Laboratory of Food Safety and Food IntegrityInstitute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia Serdang Malaysia
| | - Selamat Jinap
- Laboratory of Food Safety and Food IntegrityInstitute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia Serdang Malaysia
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and TechnologyUniversiti Putra Malaysia Serdang Malaysia
| | - Siti Izera Ismail
- Laboratory of Climate‐Smart Food Crop ProductionInstitute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia Serdang Malaysia
- Department of Plant ProtectionFaculty of AgricultureUniversiti Putra Malaysia Serdang Malaysia
| | - Naresh Magan
- Applied Mycology GroupCranfield Soil and AgriFood InstituteCranfield University Cranfield UK
| | - Nik Iskandar Putra Samsudin
- Laboratory of Food Safety and Food IntegrityInstitute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia Serdang Malaysia
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and TechnologyUniversiti Putra Malaysia Serdang Malaysia
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16
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Ahmad M, Pataczek L, Hilger TH, Zahir ZA, Hussain A, Rasche F, Schafleitner R, Solberg SØ. Perspectives of Microbial Inoculation for Sustainable Development and Environmental Management. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2992. [PMID: 30568644 PMCID: PMC6289982 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
How to sustainably feed a growing global population is a question still without an answer. Particularly farmers, to increase production, tend to apply more fertilizers and pesticides, a trend especially predominant in developing countries. Another challenge is that industrialization and other human activities produce pollutants, which accumulate in soils or aquatic environments, contaminating them. Not only is human well-being at risk, but also environmental health. Currently, recycling, land-filling, incineration and pyrolysis are being used to reduce the concentration of toxic pollutants from contaminated sites, but too have adverse effects on the environment, producing even more resistant and highly toxic intermediate compounds. Moreover, these methods are expensive, and are difficult to execute for soil, water, and air decontamination. Alternatively, green technologies are currently being developed to degrade toxic pollutants. This review provides an overview of current research on microbial inoculation as a way to either replace or reduce the use of agrochemicals and clean environments heavily affected by pollution. Microorganism-based inoculants that enhance nutrient uptake, promote crop growth, or protect plants from pests and diseases can replace agrochemicals in food production. Several examples of how biofertilizers and biopesticides enhance crop production are discussed. Plant roots can be colonized by a variety of favorable species and genera that promote plant growth. Microbial interventions can also be used to clean contaminated sites from accumulated pesticides, heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and other industrial effluents. The potential of and key processes used by microorganisms for sustainable development and environmental management are discussed in this review, followed by their future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maqshoof Ahmad
- Department of Soil Science, University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Lisa Pataczek
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thomas H. Hilger
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Zahir Ahmad Zahir
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Azhar Hussain
- Department of Soil Science, University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Frank Rasche
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | - Svein Ø. Solberg
- World Vegetable Center, Tainan, China
- Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway
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17
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Dolezel M, Miklau M, Heissenberger A, Reichenbecher W. Limits of Concern: suggestions for the operationalisation of a concept to determine the relevance of adverse effects in the ERA of GMOs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE 2018; 30:39. [PMID: 30416927 PMCID: PMC6208838 DOI: 10.1186/s12302-018-0169-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The European Food Safety Authority proposed a concept for the environmental risk assessment of genetically modified plants in the EU that is based on the definition of thresholds for the acceptability of potential adverse effects on the environment. This concept, called Limits of Concern (LoC), needs to be further refined to be implemented in the environmental risk assessment of genetically modified organisms. METHODS We analyse and discuss how LoC can be defined for the environmental risk assessment for three different types of genetically modified plants. We outline protection goals relevant to the genetically modified plants in question and discuss existing concepts and suggestions for acceptability thresholds from the environmental risk assessment of different regulatory areas. We make specific recommendations for the setting and use of LoC for each type of genetically modified plant. RESULTS The LoC concept can be suitably applied for the environmental risk assessment of genetically modified organisms, if the different protection goals in agro-environments are specifically considered. Not only biodiversity protection goals but also agricultural protection goals need to be addressed. The different ecosystem services provided by weeds inside and outside agricultural fields have to be considered for genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops. Exposure-based LoCs are suggested based on knowledge about dose-effect relationships between maize pollen and non-target Lepidoptera for insect-resistant maize. Due to the long-term nature of biological processes such as spread and establishment, LoCs for genetically modified oilseed rape should be defined for the presence of the genetically modified plant or its genetically modified traits in relevant protection goals. CONCLUSIONS When setting LoCs, the focus should be on protection goals which are possibly affected. Potential overlaps of the LoC concept with the ecosystem service concept have to be clarified to harmonise protection levels in the agro-environment for different stressors. If additional impacts on agro-biodiversity resulting from the cultivation of genetically modified plants are to be avoided, then high protection levels and low thresholds for acceptable effects (i.e. LoC) should be set.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Dolezel
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Laende 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marianne Miklau
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Laende 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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