159
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
B. R. Singh et al. (eds.), Climate Impacts on Agricultural and Natural Resource
Sustainability in Africa, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37537-9_9
Impact of Climate Variability on the Use
and Exposure of Pesticides in Sugarcane
Production in Malawi
Trust Kasambala Donga, Richard Meadow, Bishal K. Sitaula,
and Ole M. Eklo
Abstract It is widely accepted that climate change will affect sugarcane production
and its associated pests. The aim of this chapter is to review the impact of climate
variability on factors and processes affecting environmental exposure of pesticides
used in sugarcane production in Malawi. We indicate that changes in temperature
and rainfall will have a dual effect on pesticide risk. Temperatures higher than
30–35 °C affect pesticide toxicity, though effects will vary with pesticide- pest combination. Rapid degradation of pesticides such as acetamiprid and atrazine is
expected at temperatures above 30 °C. Higher temperature may increase the incidence and severity of pests such as red spider mites, prompting farmers to use more
pesticides. On the other hand, the amount and timing of rainfall in relation to pesticide application are important determinants on the amount of pesticide residue
remaining in the environment. There is a higher likelihood of pesticide transport to
surface (through runoff) and percolating to groundwater at higher rainfall intensity.
A higher soil water content will result in increased pesticide degradation. There is a
need to determine the occurrence of pesticide residue in sugarcane cropping and
aquatic systems surrounding sugarcane plantations. We highly recommend building
capacity in this sector, particularly in biological control of pest species using microbial agents such as insect pathogenic fungi pathogens.
T. K. Donga (*)
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe, Malawi
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
e-mail: tdonga@luanar.ac.mw
R. Meadow · O. M. Eklo
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Ås, Norway
B. K. Sitaula
Department of International Environment and Development Studies, Norwegian University
of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
B. R. Singh et al. (eds.), Climate Impacts on Agricultural and Natural Resource
Sustainability in Africa, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37537-9_9
Impact of Climate Variability on the Use
and Exposure of Pesticides in Sugarcane
Production in Malawi
Trust Kasambala Donga, Richard Meadow, Bishal K. Sitaula,
and Ole M. Eklo
Abstract It is widely accepted that climate change will affect sugarcane production
and its associated pests. The aim of this chapter is to review the impact of climate
variability on factors and processes affecting environmental exposure of pesticides
used in sugarcane production in Malawi. We indicate that changes in temperature
and rainfall will have a dual effect on pesticide risk. Temperatures higher than
30–35 °C affect pesticide toxicity, though effects will vary with pesticide- pest combination. Rapid degradation of pesticides such as acetamiprid and atrazine is
expected at temperatures above 30 °C. Higher temperature may increase the incidence and severity of pests such as red spider mites, prompting farmers to use more
pesticides. On the other hand, the amount and timing of rainfall in relation to pesticide application are important determinants on the amount of pesticide residue
remaining in the environment. There is a higher likelihood of pesticide transport to
surface (through runoff) and percolating to groundwater at higher rainfall intensity.
A higher soil water content will result in increased pesticide degradation. There is a
need to determine the occurrence of pesticide residue in sugarcane cropping and
aquatic systems surrounding sugarcane plantations. We highly recommend building
capacity in this sector, particularly in biological control of pest species using microbial agents such as insect pathogenic fungi pathogens.
T. K. Donga (*)
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe, Malawi
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
e-mail: tdonga@luanar.ac.mw
R. Meadow · O. M. Eklo
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Ås, Norway
B. K. Sitaula
Department of International Environment and Development Studies, Norwegian University
of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway