scholarly journals Copper use in organic agriculture in twelve European countries.

Author(s):  
Lucius Tamm ◽  
Barbara Thuerig ◽  
Stoilko Apostolov ◽  
Hugh Blogg ◽  
Esmeralda Borgo ◽  
...  

Abstract Reduction of copper-based fungicides with the final aim of phasing out has a high priority in European policy as well as in organic agriculture. Our survey aims at providing an overview of the current use of copper-based plant protection products in European organic agriculture and the need for alternatives to allow policy makers to develop strategies for a complete phasing out. Due to a lack of centralized databases on pesticide use, our survey combines expert knowledge on permitted and real copper use per crop and country with statistics on organic area. In the 12 surveyed countries, covering together 83% of the European organically managed horticultural area, we calculated approximately 3258 t copper metal per year are consumed by organic agriculture, equalling to 53% of the permitted annual dosage. This amount is split between olives (1263 t y-1, 39%), grapevine (990t y-1, 30%), and almonds (317 t y-1, 10%), followed by other crops with much smaller annual uses (<80 t y-1). Potato, usually considered a highly demanding plant for copper inputs, only uses 39 t y-1 of copper per year. In 56% of the allowed cases (countries × crops), farmers use less than half of the allowed amount, and in 27% less than a quarter, with some variability between countries. Considering the large volumes of copper used annually, replacement of copper seems only feasible if all preventive strategies from the crop protection pyramid are fully implemented and several affordable alternative plant protection products are successfully brought to the market.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 580-593
Author(s):  
M A. Bryzgalina ◽  

The demand for organic food is a prerequisite for the formation and development of organic agriculture, and the task of promoting it on domestic and foreign markets is among the priority ones. A serious problem in the sale of this category of goods to the domestic food markets of the country is the distrust of potential consumers. It is possible to solve this problem through certification and the use of a well-known brand. Certification of manufacturers of environmentally friendly products is a rather complicated and expensive procedure, therefore it is not available for most agricultural producers in the Saratov region. However, basing on the fact that today the task of developing the organic agriculture industry is set at the level of the government of the country, it is possible to solve this problem with the support of the state. The article examines the enterprises of the Saratov region of various legal forms, which do not use fertilizers and chemical means of crop protection in the production of crop production. Using the example of agricultural organizations and farms in the region, a mechanism for subsidizing certification of the most promising producers of organic wheat (winter and spring) is proposed, which includes the allocation of targeted subsidies for its implementation. As a criterion for the selection of applicants for this type of state support, as well as the distribution of budgetary resources between them, it is proposed to use the average indicator (potential) of the annual volume of organic production in the work. As a result, direct participants in certification subsidies were selected from the compiled sample of the studied enterprises that do not use chemical plant protection products and mineral fertilizers and the total annual volume of their marketable wheat was determined. The author determined the maximum cost of quality confirmation procedures for one enterprise, taking into account the increasing coefficients per one day of inspection, and also established the largest amount of budgetary resources that may be spent on the implementation of the proposed measure. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed certification subsidy mechanism, the author developed formulas for determining the selling price of products in the promising organic segment, taking into account its increase by the level of premium premiums.


2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 647-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Zwertvaegher ◽  
Dieter Foqué ◽  
Donald Dekeyser ◽  
Stephanie Van Weyenberg ◽  
David Nuyttens

Abstract. With the implementation of integrated pest management in the European Union, growers are obliged to manage pests in a manner that minimizes health and environmental risks due to the use of plant protection products. Among other approaches, this goal can be achieved by optimizing spray application techniques. As an alternative to the predominantly used handheld equipment, such as spray guns, spray boom systems might substantially improve spray application, and thus crop protection management, in greenhouses. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to compare different spray configurations in a spray cabin designed to spray ornamental potted plants that are moving on a conveyor belt. Seven different spray configurations were examined for optimal spray deposition in two crops (azalea and ivy) using mineral chelate tracers. The deposition tests showed that the presented prototype can satisfactorily spray potted plants up to a height of 25 cm including the pot height. The best spray deposition was found with two flat-fan nozzles oriented 35° upward, spraying at 1.0 bar and an application rate of 1047 L ha-1. This configuration increased deposition on the underside of the leaves and at the middle foliage layer compared to the other configurations that were evaluated. The spray cabin with a band spray setting has potential to mitigate the use of plant protection products and achieve a more efficient spray application compared to traditional handheld techniques and broadcast spray boom techniques. Keywords: Crop protection, Integrated pest management, Nozzle type, Spray deposition.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 44-52
Author(s):  
Felicia Mureșanu ◽  
Teodor Rusu ◽  
Felicia Chețan ◽  
Rozalia Kadar ◽  
Diana Hrișcău

"The purpose of this study was to improve conventional agricultural technologies in soybean crop to ensure a higher yield and reduced environmental impact under climate conditions specific for the Transylvanian Plain. For the experimental design a three-factorial experiment was set up (tillage x fertilization x plant protection products). Factor interaction was evaluated using formula AxBxC-R:4x4x4-3 to highlight the benefits of the practices. This study examined yield crops and size of the soybean plants in an effort to identify best practices. Yield was highly increased in conventional soil tillage system (3420 kg/ha), whereas for the minimum soil tillage system and for direct sowing there were no significant difference 2755-2995 kg/ha and 2605 kg/ha, respectively. Crop performance in terms of yield was highly influenced by the soil tillage system (57.5%), followed by plant protection treatments (22.9%) and fertilization (11.8%). Fertilization with N40P40 + gulle + green fertilizer ensured the highest soybean production (3132 kg/ha). Plant protection treatments during vegetation determined significant yield increases, with high influence of insecticides and a cummulative effect when both fungicides and insecticides were used (3193 kg/ha). Highest size of plants was registered in conventional soil tillage system. Overall crop protection treatments during vegetation (insecticide + fungicide) triggered not significant increases in plant size, except Teo TD soybean cultivar."


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 171
Author(s):  
Marcello Iriti ◽  
Elena Maria Varoni

In the past decades, the scientific quality of biomedical studies has been hierarchically depicted in the well-known pyramid of evidence-based medicine (EBM), with higher and higher levels of evidence moving from the base to the top. Such an approach is missing in the modern crop protection and, therefore, we introduce, for the first time, this novel concept of evidence-based phytoiatry in this field. This editorial is not a guideline on plant protection products (PPP) registration, but rather a scientific and technical support for researchers involved in the general area of plant pathology, providing them with evidence-based information useful to design critically new studies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Popa ◽  
Shahrazad Hadad ◽  
Robert Paiusan ◽  
Marian Nastase

The Romanian market for plant protection products (PPP) is fragmented, dispersed, and very competitive. In recent years, there has been a constant decrease of farmers’ profitability, which has cascaded into the distribution of pesticides, fertilizers, and seeds. Since the structure of any market is dynamic over time, companies can determine the effectiveness of their different marketing strategies using analytical tools. As an alternative to econometric tools for predicting the market share in the farming industry, we propose the analytic network process (ANP) model, in which the market share is described as a network of nodes and clusters. Domain experts validate the ANP structure with respect to criteria and alternatives. The model allows the quantification of qualitative judgments provided by either experts or customers, through the highest eigenvalues. The eigenvalues are then further aggregated to deliver conclusive scores for the distribution of a particular market among competitors. The purpose of this research is twofold: (1) to develop an ANP-based tool for analyzing the competitive position (market share) of a company and (2) to help companies use the new tool in order to improve their business. The paper is of interest to PPP distributors, PPP manufacturers, customers, and policy-makers. The first two categories of stakeholders can use the analysis to better direct their marketing efforts, the customers can use it to select their providers, and the policy-makers can use it to evaluate and improve the control of PPP.


Author(s):  
S.A. Korshunov ◽  
A.M. Asaturova ◽  
A.I. Chomiak ◽  
G.V. Volkova

Наряду с традиционными приемами ведения сельского хозяйства во многих странах развивается альтернативное земледелие, основанное на строгом соблюдении научных рекомендаций и требований по эксплуатации почвенных ресурсов с целью их сохранения при длительном использовании. Одно из таких направлений – органическое земледелие, успешно развивающееся в странах ЕС и США последние 30 лет. Оно предполагает создание высококультурной, экологически сбалансированной агроэкосистемы, критериями функционирования которой является устойчивость агроландшафта на фоне продуктивного долголетия всех составляющих его компонентов (почва, растения, животный мир). Устойчивость таких агроценозов обеспечивается путем минимизации негативного влияния на агроэкосистему (отказ от применения пестицидов и других средств защиты растений, химических удобрений, ГМО, ионизирующего излучения) и внедрения экологически обоснованной системы земледелия при обязательном контроле за состоянием всего агробиоценоза в системе эколого-мелиоративного и агроэкологического мониторинга. Научно-исследовательская деятельность и биологическая защита в органическом сельском хозяйстве должны отвечать основным задачам реального сектора. Ученым, вовлеченным в данное направление, важно взаимодействовать с сертифицированными органическими производителями, профильными союзами, понимать как частные задачи конкретных хозяйств, так и общерыночные тенденции, требования сертифицирующих органов, знать основные стандарты органического сельского хозяйства. В обзоре рассмотрены тенденции развития рынка органической продукции в России и в мире. Показана прямая взаимосвязь между государственной поддержкой экологизации земледелия и ростом рынка органической продукции. Представлены данные социологических опросов с целью выявления количественных и качественных показателей развития рынка органического сельского хозяйства и биологизации земледелия в Российской Федерации. Подчеркнута роль биологической защиты растений как ключевого элемента обеспечения стабильного органического производства, что потребует активного и целенаправленного внедрения научных методов поддержания плодородия почв и механизмов естественной биоценотической регуляции агроэкосистем, разработанных российскими учеными.In addition to traditional farming practices, many countries are developing alternative agriculture based on strict compliance with scientific recommendations and requirements for the exploitation of soil resources in order to preserve them during long-term use. One of these areas is organic farming, which successfully developing in the EU and the US for the last 30 years. It includes creation of a highly cultured, ecologically balanced agroecosystem, which has stability of agrocenosis with productive longevity of all its components (soil, plants, wildlife). The sustainability of such agrocenoses is ensured by minimizing the negative impact on the agroecosystem (refusal to use pesticides and other plant protection products, chemical fertilizers, GMOs, ionizing radiation) and the introduction of environmentally sound farming system with mandatory control over the state of the entire agrobiocenosis in the system of ecological-meliorative and agroecological monitoring. Research and biological protection in organic agriculture must meet the basic objectives of the real sector. Scientists involved in this area, it is important to interact with certified organic producers, specialized unions, to understand both the private tasks of specific farms and General market trends, the requirements of certification bodies, to know the basic standards of organic agriculture. The review examines the trends in the development of organic products market in Russia and in the world. The direct relationship between the state support for the greening of agriculture and the growth of the market of organic products is shown. The article presents the data of sociological surveys to identify quantitative and qualitative indicators of the market of organic agriculture and biologization of agriculture in the Russian Federation. The role of biological plant protection as a key element of ensuring stable organic production is emphasized, which will require the active and purposeful introduction of scientific methods for maintaining soil fertility and mechanisms of natural biocenotic regulation of agroecosystems developed by Russian scientists.


Author(s):  
Arkadiusz Piwowar

AbstractThe aim of the conducted study was to characterize the attitudes and practices of Polish farmers in the area of performing chemical plant protection treatments. A particular attention was paid to identifying the relationship between the direction of changes in the volume of chemical plant protection product consumption and selected attributes of farms. The main time range of the analyses covered the period of 2013–2017. Statistical data and results of representative surveys carried out on a sample of 1101 farms in Poland were used in the research process. Due to the large number of variants of the analysed variables, a multiple correspondence analysis was used, which made it possible to determine the correlation between the examined features (direction of changes in pesticide use relative to the farm area, economic size of the farm and location of the farm). Statistical analysis showed the existence of strong relationships between the physical (1) and economic (2) size of farms and the direction of changes in pesticide consumption ((1) φ2 = 0.0907; (2) φ2 = 0.1141)). According to empirical studies, the reduction of pesticide consumption took place mainly on the smallest farms. The implementation of the integrated plant protection directive has not resulted in significant changes in the form of reduced pesticide use in large-scale field crops. This raises the need to modify the strategy and model of crop protection in large-scale field crops in Poland.


2019 ◽  
pp. 22-29
Author(s):  
Mathilde Charon ◽  
Diane Robin ◽  
Patrice A. Marchand

Description of the subject. The real-time management of residues of plant protection products is a general issue for food producers and/or exporters. Authorized pesticides under European Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 (Reg. 1107/2009) are granted a maximum residue limit (MRL) defined by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). These maximum residue limits are managed by the European Commission and listed in EC Regulation No 396/2005. MRLs for newly approved substances are set for pesticide residues present in products or groups of products covered by Annex I with a default value of 0.01 mg·kg-1, unless they have been considered, elaborated upon on approval and affected in one of the six other Annexes (II to VII). Substances listed in Annex IV are favoured in the selection of substances to be used by producers as it is for substances with very low potential impacts (low-risk substances [Art. 22 of Reg. 1107/2009] which therefore require no MRL; basic substances [Art. 23 of Reg. 1107/2009]; and microorganisms). The number of substances affected by this lack of an MRL (without residues survey requirement) has been steadily increasing since the publication of the SANCO/11188/2013 Guideline. Many biocontrol agents are listed in Annex IV, including microbial insecticides (e.g. Bacillus thuringiensis, Cydia pomonella granulosis virus), semiochemicals used in traps (e.g. ammonium acetate, putrescine) and some natural substances (e.g. sulphur) as well as all the currently listed basic substances. Objectives. To show that plant protection may be achieved with less concern or control (auto + external) than with certain agrochemical pesticides, including those without maximum residue limits (MRL). Method. Analysis of EU Pesticide Database and EU Regulation (EU) No 540/2011. Results. All approved pesticide active substances with no MRL included in Annex IV of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, listed by substance status type (active, low-risk or basic) and category (microorganism, semiochemical or natural). Conclusions. These results may be used to help achieve plant protection with much less risk of contaminations, while noting the necessity for controls, analytical issues, positive controls, as well as the possibility of downgrading and withdrawal of approval from the market.


Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Iriti ◽  
Sara Vitalini

The development of novel strategies of plant disease management is crucial in view of the growing demand of sustainability in agri-food chains. The use of agrochemicals is not without risk for the consumer and environment in terms of their residues in food, feed, water bodies and harmful effects on nontarget organisms. However, because of the high global annual yield losses attributable to plant diseases and also due to global climate changes that have exacerbated some phytosanitary emergences, chemical input in agriculture is mandatory. In this complex scenario, the use of agrochemicals that boost the plant immune system represents a relatively novel approach in crop protection. These plant protection products are not antimicrobial or fungicidal agents, but include both natural and synthetic elicitors and plant activators that only target the host immune system, with no biocide mechanism of action. In general, these products present a number of strengths: they leave no residue and should not select resistant pathogen strains, they can be used to control virus diseases, and can increase the levels of bioactive phytochemicals in plant foods.


Author(s):  
Anna Olkiewicz

Agriculture is one of the basic human activities. This activity, however, also had a negative impact on the environment. For decades, organic farming, understood as a system of management of sustainable crop production and livestock within the farm, has been developing. Constantly increases both the number of organic producers and the area of organic farming. Organic agriculture is currently supported with success through the development of the law in this area, both on the world market, European and Polish. Thanks to regulations gradually entered into force a consumer acquiring products referred to as organic is convinced that they are free from contamination, such as residues of plant protection products and hormones, and when their production not used chemical fertilizers and genetically modified organisms.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document