PESTICIDES

• Pesticides are the materials used to control pests.

– These chemicals may be natural or man-made.

– In fact, use of chemical pesticides is now often done only when absolutely necessary.

 Application of pesticides must be done safely to reduce potential injury to people and the

environment.
 What are the major classifications of
pesticides?
• 1 Insecticides are used to control insects, which are a group of animals with an
exoskeleton and three body parts.
– Most insects have six legs and four wings.
– Insects are killed by body contact with the chemical, by swallowing the insecticide, or by
insecticides that enter through the respiratory system.
 Cont’d…

• 2 Miticides are used to control mites and ticks.

– They are usually killed by coming in contact with the chemical.
 Cont’d

• 3 Fungicides are used to control fungal disease.

– Fungicides are used to prevent a plant from becoming infected.
– Therefore, they are applied before the disease is present.
 Cont’d…

• 4 Herbicides are used to kill unwanted plants.

• 5 Rodenticides kill rodents, such as rats and mice.
– These chemicals are usually applied as bait.
– Eating the chemical poisons the rodents.
 What are the major classifications of
herbicides?
• Herbicides are classified by selectivity, contact versus translocation, timing, and
mode of action.
• Herbicides are classified as being selective or nonselective.
– Selective herbicides act on certain plant species and not others.

– Nonselective herbicides kill all vegetation.

 What are the major classifications of
herbicides?
• Herbicides may act on contact with plants or be translocated in the plant.
– Contact herbicides kill the parts of a plant to which it is applied.

– Translocated or systemic herbicides are absorbed by the roots or other plant parts and
moved throughout the plant by vascular tissues.
• Translocated herbicides are particularly effective with perennial plants.
 What are the major classifications of
herbicides?
• Timing refers to the stage of the crop or weed development.
– Pre-planting applications are made before the crop is planted to control annual weeds.

– Pre-emergence applications are made before the crop or weeds emerge.

– Post-emergence applications are completed after the crop or weeds have emerged.
 What are the major classifications of
herbicides?
• Mode of action refers to how herbicides kill weeds.
– The mode of action is the effect on metabolic processes or enzyme systems that result in a
lethal or toxic action in the plant.
– Herbicides may have a single mode of action or a multiple mode of action.
 What are the major classifications of
insecticides?
 Insecticides are classified by how they enter an insect’s body.
• Three general groups of insecticides are contact, stomach, and respiratory.

• I Contact insecticide is absorbed through the skin or exterior of

an insect.
• The chemical must be applied directly on the insect and is
normally used with sucking insects.
 What are the major classifications of
insecticides?
• II Stomach insecticide is effective when eaten.
– The chemical is applied to the plant parts, which are eaten by the insect.
– This type of insecticide is most effective on chewing insects.
• III Respiratory insecticide is an insecticide that enters the respiratory system of
the insect.
– It is commonly called a fumigant.
– This type of insecticide is used in enclosed places.
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