The Pesticide Detox

Since the 1960s, the world's population has more than doubled and agricultural production per person has increased by a third. Yet this growth in production has masked enormous hidden costs arising from widespread pesticide use - massive ecological damage and high incidences of farmer poisoning and chronic health effects. Whereas once the risks involved with pesticide use were judged to be outweighed by the potential benefits, increasingly the external costs of pesticides, to environments and human health, are being seen as unacceptable. In response to this trend, recent years have seen millions of farmers in communities around the world reduce their use of harmful pesticides and develop cheaper and safer alternatives. The Pesticide Detox explores the potential for the phasing-out of hazardous pesticides and the phasing-in of cost effective alternatives already available on the market. This book makes clear that it is time to start the pesticide detox and to move towards a more sustainable agriculture.

The pesticide should cause effect on the target pests and be selective enough to spare the non-target beneficial. The book deals with the pesticide toxicity to predators, parasitoids and microbes which are used for pest management in the agroecosystem. The other beneficials exposed to pesticides are pollinators, earthworms, silkworm and fishes. The book contains information on the modes of pesticide exposure and toxicity to the organisms, sub-lethal effects of insecticides and method of toxicity assessment, risk assessment of pesticidal application in the field. The purpose of the work is to compile and present the different procedures to assess pesticide poising in organisms related to the agroecosystem along with discussions on risk assessment procedures with clear comparison of toxicity of pesticides to target pests and non target beneficial organisms.

This latest volume in Wiley Blackwell’s prestigious AnnualPlant Reviews brings together articles that describe thebiochemical, genetic, and ecological aspects of plant interactionswith insect herbivores.. The biochemistry section of thisoutstanding volume includes reviews highlighting significantfindings in the area of plant signalling cascades, recognition ofherbivore-associated molecular patterns, sequestration of plantdefensive metabolites and perception of plant semiochemicals byinsects. Chapters in the genetics section are focused on geneticmapping of herbivore resistance traits and the analysis oftranscriptional responses in both plants and insects. The ecologysection includes chapters that describe plant-insect interactionsat a higher level, including multitrophic interactions,investigations of the cost-benefit paradigm and the altitudinalniche-breadth hypothesis, and a re-evaluation of co-evolution inthe light of recent molecular research. Written by many of the world’s leading researchers inthese subjects, and edited by Claudia Voelckel and Georg Jander,this volume is designed for students and researchers with somebackground in plant molecular biology or ecology, who would like tolearn more about recent advances or obtain a more in-depthunderstanding of this field. This volume will also be ofgreat use and interest to a wide range of plant scientists andentomologists and is an essential purchase for universities andresearch establishments where biological sciences are studied andtaught. To view details of volumes in Annual Plant Reviews, visit: ahref="http://www.wiley.com/go/apr"www.wiley.com/go/apr/a Also available from Wiley: Plant Defense Dale Walters 9781405175890 Herbicides and Plant Physiology, 2nd Edn Andrew Cobb & John Reade 9781405129350

Bringing together the expertise of over 450 distinguished entomologists from 40 countries, this exhaustive work provides a global overview of insects and their close relatives. It is designed as an introduction to this fascinating group of animals.

Pesticides are supposed to complete their intended function without "any unreasonable risk to man or the environment". Pesticides approval and registration are performed "taking into account the economic, social and environmental costs and benefits of the use of any pesticide". The present book documents the various adverse impacts of pesticides usage: pollution, dietary intake and health effects such as birth defects, neurological disorders, cancer and hormone disruption. Risk assessment methods and the involvement of molecular modeling to the knowledge of pesticides are highlighted, too. The volume summarizes the expertise of leading specialists from all over the world.

This authoritative, research-based collection examines urgent threats to future global food security and evaluates current and potential solutions. Critical Food Issues: Problems and State-of-the-Art Solutions Worldwide examines 31 crucial areas of concern, from soil degradation, depletion of water for irrigation, and loss of biodiversity to declining rural livelihoods, hunger and obesity, unjust farm labor practices, and farm animal mistreatment. Critical Food Issues divides its coverage into two exhaustive volumes, one on bioenvironmental topics and one with a sociocultural focus. Throughout, highly accomplished experts from a variety of academic backgrounds review the current state of research on specific problems, then identify strategies for confronting those problems that balance sustainable agrifood systems with environmental stewardship, healthy people, and equitable communities. At a time of increasing public outcries over the quality of food and the impact of agrifood production on long-term environmental and human well-being, Critical Food Issues offers an authoritative and comprehensive basis on which producers, consumers, and citizens can make more informed decisions about the future of food.