Pesticides are used to control the population of pests that live and feed on, or near crops. Pests can include insects, mites, fungi, viruses, and bacteria.

Pest populations can cause significant losses due to their feeding on crops or transmitting plant diseases between plants; this is commonly known as crop disease.

For example, aphids damage cereal grain crops by injecting a toxin inside the grain as they suck out its sap; this causes the plant to grow slower than normal and produce less grain than usual.

One usually wonders, Why Do We Spray Pesticides on Crops?

The simple answer to this would be: “to keep all the pests away, prevent crops from damage & maximize the overall yield”.

However, it’s not that simple. We’ll dive deeper into every aspect so that you can get a better understanding of Pesticides usage.

Use of Pesticides in Agriculture:

Commercial applications of pesticides include:

• Direct application in the field
• Seed treatment for cereal grains
• Foliar spraying on farm crops
• Using pesticides indoors as a household insecticide

Pesticides are often used on crops that are sold to the public since they can be fatal to plants and animals that consumers may eat or keep as pets.

1. To Control The Population of Pests:

In the modern world of agriculture, the effects of pesticides on the environment and human health are far more important than those in old ages.

Pesticides uses are numerous, and they are very important for controlling the population of pests. They are very effective in controlling the population of pests that live on or near the crops. 

Pests can include insects, mites, fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Pesticides control pest populations by their toxicity. Without pesticides, the population of pests will be more and they will destroy crop production.

Also, the pests can transmit plant diseases between plants, which infects a plant and slows down its growth or causes the plant to die.

If we do not use pesticides, then crops can get diseases, and then they will not grow well. So we should use pesticides for controlling pest populations.

2. To Help in Pollination: 

Pesticides can help in pollination by killing any type of pest that can cause problems to plants. 

For example, the pest may eat fruits or seeds and they will not develop well because of it; this is important for the development of many crops.

There are many positive effects of pesticides. Pesticides can prevent the entry of pests into plants by injuring them with toxic chemicals as they go inside crops. Helping in pollination helps in improving the security of crops because if pests enter into crops, it will affect the development and growth of crops.

3. To Increase Crop Production:

Pesticides are very important for increasing crop production and increasing the productivity of crops.

For example, because pesticides can kill off pests by poisoning them and drinking their products, they can cause a problem to plants

So, they should use pesticides to increase crop production and decrease heavy losses during crop development.

4. To help in competing over resources:

Pesticides are very important for helping in competing over resources which can help in reducing competition between plants and preventing them from using their products and affecting their growth.

There are many types of pesticides used in agriculture that can affect plants by making them unable to use their resources and then they will not be able to grow well.

So, we should use pesticides to control the competition over the resources of plants.

An example of such a pesticide is imidacloprid, an insecticide that on 21 December 2013 was banned for use in agriculture in the European Union over safety concerns linked to its commercial formulation called Gaucho.

The ban was only placed on outdoor uses because of residues that remain after application which could poison bees.

5. To Control Weeds:

Weeds can be very problematic when they are around crops because they can eat crops, grow where crops should be and they will cause problems to our crops, such as spreading diseases or affecting the growth of crops by using its products.

Weeds also use up space which can affect the growth of our crops and for a better expanse of the commercial crop. 

So, we should use pesticides to control the weeds and kill them off so that they cannot have any effect on our plants. Some common herbicides include Atrazine, dicamba, glyphosate, paraquat, and others.

These chemicals vary in their application methods as well so you have to pay attention when using them in the field.

6. To Control Vector-Borne Disease:

Most of the diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes which are insects. If we talk about its mortality and morbidity rate, it’s very high because about 2.5 billion people are at risk of dengue, and 400,00 deaths from Malaria happen every year.

Vector-borne diseases are caused by insects, such as mosquitoes and ticks, which spread the diseases to humans. Many of these insects are killed off by pesticides which help to control vector-borne disease outbreaks. 

7. To Protect Environment:

The effects of pesticides on the environment are undoubtedly numerous. Pesticides help us in protecting our environment from the harmful effects of insecticides.

For example, if we do not use pesticides, then there will be more bugs and insects around our area that can affect our crops and cause problems for us because they will live in areas where we want to develop something or create a place. So, we should use pesticides to protect our environment from pests.

8. Quality And Safety Of Food:

In countries of the first world, it has been observed that a diet containing fresh fruit and vegetables far outweigh potential risks from eating very low residues of pesticides in crops

Increasing evidence shows that eating fruit and vegetables regularly reduces the risk of many cancers, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other chronic diseases. 

Therefore for the production of healthy and well nutritional food use of pesticides is essential. Because if the food gets damaged or consumed by insects it will reduce the nutritional value and can also cause economic damage to the producers, which are farmers. 

That’s mainly why we spray pesticides on crops.

What Are the Harmful Effects of Pesticides?

Pesticides in food can damage your brain and reproductive systems. They have been linked to autism, ADHD, and Parkinson’s Disease. 

Pesticides in the environment can cause developmental delays in animals and fish.

By choosing organic foods you can avoid exposure to harmful pesticides. As pesticides are mainly sprayed on non-food crops, like lawns and gardens to keep insects away.

Most of the time, the government doesn’t require the testing of pesticides before they’re sold. Then Why do we spray pesticides on crops even when those can be harmful? It’s because, most of the time, the pros outweigh the cons. 

Harmful Effects of Pesticides:

The chemicals in these products may cause cancer and other diseases in people who use them.

• Pesticides are harmful to the brain, reproductive system, and development of animals and fish
• Pesticides can cause autism, ADHD, Parkinson’s disease
• Most pesticides are sprayed on non-food crops like living grass or gardens where the chemicals could cause cancer or other diseases in people who use them.
• Claims by pesticide companies that pesticides are safe to use are “unproven,” “conflicting,” or “unsubstantiated.” Traces of many pesticides have been found in breast milk, blood, urine, and especially the blood of pregnant women.
• Pesticides damage the brain and reproductive system of both infants and adults.
• There are no safe levels of pesticides in the environment.
• Pesticides can enter the food chain and cause health problems in people who eat them.

Precautions Before Applying Pesticides:

Every coin has two sides, similarly, there are many harmful effects of pesticides on crops.

The average person is exposed to many different kinds of pesticides.

The EPA’s guide for homeowners shows that almost all pesticides have human health effects. Some can cause cancer and other diseases in people who use them. Pesticides might be used in homes and offices, too.

Based on information from the Environmental Protection Agency, the government, companies, and pesticide manufacturers, “registered” pesticides are those that have passed all necessary tests to be sold and used. These should be the only ones used.

To prevent pesticides from causing any harm to humans, animals, and the environment, there should be certain precautions before applying pesticides in your garden.

The following precautions should be taken:

There are different types of pesticides that can be used for specific crops. Some of these include:

• Herbicides
• Soil sterilant
• Fungicides
• Miticides
• Insecticides 
• Nematicides

Different types of chemicals can be combined with these pesticides to produce the most effective one for each particular crop or usage. 

For example, a product may contain insecticide and herbicide together. 

These chemicals vary in their application methods as well so you have to pay attention when using them in your garden or around the home if you have pets or children playing nearby. 

Read the instructions about the dose rate and applying method before using the pesticide. ​You should wear gloves and masks and a mask so that your skin does not come into contact with the chemicals. 

Conclusion:

The use of pesticides is very crucial for crops. These chemicals will help you improve your crop yield, protect your crops and fields from harmful pests such as; insects, weeds, nematodes, vector-borne insects, and rodents.  

Before using the pesticide always read the instructions. Do not apply too much pesticide in order to gain quick results because this can cause harm instead of benefit.