Pesticides
A section of Agrochemicals (ISSN 2813-3145).
Section Information
In a broader sense, the definition of pesticides—as given by the United Nations—is as follows: “A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances that is used to prevent, destroy or control pests—including vectors of human or animal disease, and unwanted species of plants or animals. Pesticides may cause harm during, or otherwise interfere with, the production, processing, storage, transport or marketing of food, agricultural commodities, wood and wood products or animal feedstuffs—or that may be administered to animals so as to control insects, arachnids or other pests in or on their bodies”.
In this broader sense, pesticides include other substances with various uses in the agriculture–food chain, as well as in public health safeguarding. Hence, pesticides—taken from the perspective of Agrochemicals—can include substances that have different target organisms than those which are conventionally assumed (e.g., insects, mites, nematodes, and rodents). The best management practices in the use of pesticides are also covered by this Section; these are accompanied by aspects that determine the efficacy and overall utilization of pesticides, such as resistance, mode of action, safe use, and socioeconomic dimensions. As such, emphasis is given to the environmental compatibility of the different types of pesticides and their use within integrated pest-management strategies.
