12
Biopesticides and the Toolbox
Approach to Pest Management
12.1 Introduction
Pesticides may be defned as chemicals (or mixtures of chemicals) used to
restrict or repel pests such as insects, weeds, fungi, nematodes, and other
organisms that adversely affect food production, ecosystem function, or
human health. Pesticides may also be toxic contaminants in our food supply and environment (air, water, soil), and responsible for illness or injury
to people and wildlife. Biopesticides are attracting interest as alternatives to
conventional pesticides, but without many of the nontarget effects, by offering improved safety in pest control practices. In this chapter, we summarize
and discuss the current status and future promise of biopesticides, including
in China and other developing agricultural economies, and how biopesticides use may increase the safety and sustainability of the food supply.
12.2 Current Trends
Pesticide use in California and the United States peaked in the early 1980s.
Since then, there has been a trend toward less quantities of pesticide use
(California Department of Pesticide Regulation, 2017). This trend refects a
combination of several factors: the banning or phaseout of high volume use
synthetics, such as toxaphene, chlordane, and methyl bromide; development
of more effcient application technology which delivers more chemical to
the target and allows less chemical loss by volatilization. wind erosion, and
by surface runoff; and the introduction of transgenic modifcations in some
crops such as cotton, corn, and soybeans so that resistance or tolerance to
pests is carried by the crop without need for, or minimal use of, external
chemical application for pest control. An example is the technology underlying the use of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin to control insects.
DOI: 10.1201/9781003217602-12
203
Biopesticides and the Toolbox
Approach to Pest Management
12.1 Introduction
Pesticides may be defned as chemicals (or mixtures of chemicals) used to
restrict or repel pests such as insects, weeds, fungi, nematodes, and other
organisms that adversely affect food production, ecosystem function, or
human health. Pesticides may also be toxic contaminants in our food supply and environment (air, water, soil), and responsible for illness or injury
to people and wildlife. Biopesticides are attracting interest as alternatives to
conventional pesticides, but without many of the nontarget effects, by offering improved safety in pest control practices. In this chapter, we summarize
and discuss the current status and future promise of biopesticides, including
in China and other developing agricultural economies, and how biopesticides use may increase the safety and sustainability of the food supply.
12.2 Current Trends
Pesticide use in California and the United States peaked in the early 1980s.
Since then, there has been a trend toward less quantities of pesticide use
(California Department of Pesticide Regulation, 2017). This trend refects a
combination of several factors: the banning or phaseout of high volume use
synthetics, such as toxaphene, chlordane, and methyl bromide; development
of more effcient application technology which delivers more chemical to
the target and allows less chemical loss by volatilization. wind erosion, and
by surface runoff; and the introduction of transgenic modifcations in some
crops such as cotton, corn, and soybeans so that resistance or tolerance to
pests is carried by the crop without need for, or minimal use of, external
chemical application for pest control. An example is the technology underlying the use of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin to control insects.
DOI: 10.1201/9781003217602-12
203