technology in agriculture

Organophosphates also known as the OPs. The word organophosphate is derived from the combination of two words; � organic compounds � and � phosphate group �. There is no known clinical use of these chemicals. However, the main uses are as agricultural insecticides and fungicides; used in household and garden sprays for flies and other insects. Organophosphates (Cover) Usage Organophosphate insecticides are commonly used for small animals as flea and tick powders, sprays, foggers, shampoos and dips, and formerly, as systemic insecticides. They are also frequently used as household, garden, and farm insecticides. OPs, in general, have short term persistence and limited residual activity. They are more toxic to vertebrates than other insects. OPs have replaced the banned organochlorines (OC) and are a major cause of animal poisoning. History OPs were first synthesized in the 1850�s but the modern products were developed in Germany in the 1930�s. Their insecticidal qualities were first ob...

An insecticide is a pesticide used against insects. They include ovicides , larvicides and adulticides used against the eggs , larvae and adults of insects, respectively. The use of insecticides has been very popular since the arrival of first synthetic chemical insecticides during the days of world war 2.  Insecticides cartoon Since then, the scientists have been working on to increase the insecticidal potential and reduce the toxicity of the insecticides. We will be discussing more about these issue later on, first of all, lets have a look at the common types insecticides. Types of Insecticides 1. Systemic Insecticides  2. Contact Insecticides  3. Natural Insecticides  4. Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs)  5. Inorganic Insecticides  6. Organic Insecticides Synthetic Organic Insecticides The synthetic organic insecticides are relatively new compounds. The first synthetic organic insecticide DDT was synthesized in 1874, and its insecticidal pr...

INTRODUCTION Mealybug is an insect of fruit trees. It not only reduce the fruit production from trees but it also reduces the quality of the fruits hence the fruits are not export quality. The insect larvae and wingless females are most damaging. Mealybug is a sucking insect and it attacks mango from December - January. During this period the larvae attack leaves and inflorescence and deprive them from essential nutrients. It not only feeds on the plants but also secrets a sticky substance which serves as the source of fungal attack. In severe attack of mealybug, fruit does not set and wood is also damaged.  This is a very troublesome insect in the orchards and it is very difficult to reduce its population once it has entered in an orchard. Birds also do not like to prey this insect. Mealybug has been reported on more than a hundred hosts. The insect lays its eggs in closed places. During the end of its life cycle, when the female comes down from the tree, it tries to enter the rhi...

Whitefly  ( Bemisia tabaci )  is a sucking insect of cotton which not only reduces the growth but most importantly it serves as the vector of Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCuV) which has been a major threat to the cotton in Pakistan. So the farmer must take quick action against the white fly in his field. Following steps can be taken to manage the whitefly in the cotton fields. Hoeing should be done along the water channels with the fields because the weeds along the borders of the field serve as the breeding ground for these white flies.  Weedicides should be sprayed for weed control and pesticides for the controlling the white flies. Detach the leaves which show attack of whitefly and dip in water to kill the pest. When larvae and adults are visible in the field at the same time, spray with such pesticides which are equally effective for both. Do not spray with same pesticide each time. For effective spraying, use hollow cone nozzle sprays . Regularly survey the field ...

Cotton is the major fiber and non-grain crop in Pakistan and it contribution is 1.6% in GDP of Pakistan. Bt cotton varieties have been developed in the last decade which are high yielding and insect resistant. The Bt cotton production technology as per the government agriculture department in Punjab is given as under. SEEDBED PREPARATION Seedbed preparation is the most important phase for the successful yield from a land. The soil selected for the cultivation for cotton should be well prepared before sowing the seed. The soil should be porous in nature and allow root penetration for normal plant stand. The residues of previous crops should be mixed well in the soil with some rotavator, disc plough or some other plough. Seedbed should be prepared through deep ploughing followed by laser land levelling.  The soil should have good water holding capacity and there should be no hard pan in the subsoil layer. In case of green manure crops , the crop should be ploughed into the soi...

INTRODUCTION This article will discuss about the harmful effects of pesticides (especially insecticides) use on human health. The pesticides applied to crops, household etc. are not only mitigating pest problem but they are also a source of extreme and permanent damage to human health and environment.  Pesticides  are substances or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest. They include;  Insecticides - kill insects Fungicides - used to kill fungi Biocides - used to kill microbes Herbicides - used to kill herbs and weeds Rodenticides - used against rodents e.g., rats. Pediculicide [against lice ( Pediculus humanus )]  Fumigants etc. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE Used in agriculture, industry, household and medicine.  A major factor for rise in Agriculture productivity in 20th century.  Nearly all insecticides have the potential to significantly alter ecosystems;  Many are toxic to humans; others are concentrated ...

INTRODUCTION Insecticides form a major proportion of the agricultural products being produced in the country and imported. The importance and impact of the insecticides on the farm can not be denied. Both in terms of the useful and residual effects. Similarly they form a major part of the agriculture industry. There is an excess of availability of the insecticides in the agriculture markets. The product available is of mixed quality from highest standards of the multinational and local companies to the lesser quality products of some of the small local manufacturers. In my recently concluded agriculture market study, I collected literature related to the insecticides available in the market both from well reputed and local pesticide companies. And in this blog post, I will be highlighting the types of formulations which were available.  Table: List of Commercially available Formulation of Insecticides common in Punjab ABBR. NAME ABBR. NAME EC Emulsifiable concen...