Granthaalayah
PESTICIDES AND INDIAN AGRICULTURE- A REVIEW

PESTICIDES AND INDIAN AGRICULTURE- A REVIEW


PhD Research scholar, Department of Environment science, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad , India
Professor and Coordinator, Department of Botany and Environment science, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad , India

How to cite this article (APA): Nayak, P, & Solanki, H (2021). Pesticides and indian agriculture- a review. International Journal of Research - GRANTHAALAYAH, 9(5), 250. doi: 10.29121/granthaalayah.v9.i5.2021.3930

Abstract

Globally more than half of the pesticides are utilized in Asia. India stands 12th in pesticide use globally and 3rd in Asia after China and Turkey. In present study, the data of different types of pesticides, pesticide use pattern and detailed pesticide consumption of the India and world were collected, organized and summarized. Around 70% of the total population is employed under agriculture sector which is the most important sector of Indian economy. And pesticides and fertilizers are major integral part of modern agriculture. Commonly used pesticides includes insecticides, fungicides and herbicides for management of uncontrolled weeds and pests on agricultural sites. However in total pesticide consumption, insecticides occupies highest share in India. India share only1% of the global pesticide use. As per the data of FAO, India has utilized around 58160 tonnes of pesticide in 2018. Per hectare application rate of pesticide was only 0.31 kg in 2017. While consumption in China, Japan and America was around 13.07, 11.76 and 3.57 kg ha-1 of pesticides respectively. So it is clear that India applies less amount of pesticides in per hectare of cropland area, but uncontrolled and haphazard pesticide usage is responsible for the presence of high pesticide residues in both natural and physical environment. Bio-pesticides have proven to be the finest alternative to chemical pesticides for promoting a sustainable method of development in the agriculture sector, while also reducing pollution caused by chemical pesticides. Many bio-pesticides are now being developed in India and could be excellent alternatives to chemical pesticides. There are many eco-friendly plant based and microbial bio-pesticides available in the market. Bio-pesticides consumption is only 8% in India. For sustainable agricultural development and to protect environment from adverse effect of chemical pesticides, formulation and utilization of bio-pesticides should be prompted.

Keywords

Pesticides, Chemical Pesticides, Bio-Pesticides, Indian Agriculture

INTRODUCTION

Pesticides are substances (natural or manmade) used to control pests, weeds, and diseases in plants in various agronomic practices. Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, nematicides, and other pesticides are examples of pesticides. The losses of crops caused by insect pests are quite high in both developing and developed countries (Dhaliwal, Jindal, & Mohindru, 2015). Reduced crop loss will be a key component, and enhanced pest management, including diseases and weeds, will require significant effort. Pesticides have become a key tool for plant protection and improvement of crops in the process of agricultural development. (Sharma et al., 2019) . Pathogens and pests are causing global wheat losses ranging from 10% to 28%, rice losses ranging from 25% to 41%, maize losses ranging from 20% to 41%, potato losses ranging from 8% to 21%, and soybean losses ranging from 11% to 32%, according to a study published in the journal Nature, Ecology & Evolution. (Savary et al., 2019). The intensity of protection for crops, as shown by a 15-20-fold increase in pesticides used around the world, has increased significantly in order to make agriculture more productive and profitable. Despite a clear increase in pesticide use, crop losses have not decreased significantly over the last 40 years. (OERKE, 2006).

Food, feed, fibre, biofuel, and other bio-based goods are in high demand, and agriculture must meet it. An increase in population size in developing countries is forecast to raise food production demand by 70% in view of shifts in dietary trends towards high-quality food, e.g. increased meat and dairy intake, and increased use of kernels for livestock feed (Popp, Pető, & Nagy, 2013). The world population also increased from 1.65 billion to 7.7 billion throughout the twentieth century alone (Green, 2018); (Nations, 2019). Moreover, the world population is predicted to expand to about 8.5 billion by 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.9 billion in 2100 (Nations, 2019).

Pesticides are used to increase agricultural productivity, but they are used indiscriminately and pollute the biota. Non-target species are harmed as a result of pesticide transfer in the environment. Some insecticides have the potential to harm human health and the environment. Only around 0.1 percent of pesticides are believed to reach the intended organisms, with the rest polluting the environment and causing environmental harm (Carriger et al., 2006); (Gill & Garg, 2014).

A closer look at pesticide use finds that we're using more pesticides and treating crops more frequently than ever before. Global pesticide use (in tonnes of active ingredient) increased by 46% between 1996 and 2016, according to the FAOSTAT database (WHO, 2019). Pesticides work by causing harm to the creatures they target. However, pesticides do not function in the same way for every species. They also have an impact on non-target species. Organophosphate, carbamate, and pyrethroid insecticides are the most often used pesticides (Gilbert, 2012). Currently, around four million tonnes are used per year on a global basis, most of which are herbicides (56%), followed by insecticides (19%), fungicides (25%) and other types such as rodenticides and nematicides (FAO, 2018).

This literature review firstly provides basic scientific information about the classification of pesticide in use and pesticides usage pattern in India and world. The review shows the current scenario of pesticide usage pattern in Indian agriculture.

CLASSIFICATION OF PESTICIDES

Diverse criteria are used to describe the pesticides, for example, their toxicity, pest organisms that are killed and their functioning as pesticides, chemical composition and route of entrance, mode of action, how or when it works, formulations and sources of origin (Yadav & Devi, 2017); (Akashe, Pawade, & Nikam, 2018); (Freedman, 2018); (Hassaan & Nemr, 2020); (Nayak, Sahoo, Kolanthasamy, & Rao, 2020); (Tudi et al., 2021).

1. Classification of pesticides according to its toxicity: Pesticide toxicity is primarily determined by two factors: dose and time. Thus, the amount of this chemical (dose) is involved and how often (time) the material is exposed to lead to two different kinds of toxicity, acute and chronic.

Table 1: Pesticides classificationon the basis of its toxicity

WHO Class

LD50 for rats (mg/kg of body weight)

Oral

Dermal

Class- Ia

Extremely Hazardous

Less than 5

Less than 5

Class-Ib

Highly Hazardous

5 to 50

5 to 200

Class-II

Moderately Hazardous

50 to 2000

200 to 2000

Class-III

Slightly Hazardous

Over 2000

Over 2000

Class-V

Unlikely to present acute hazard

5000 or higher

2. Classification of Pesticides according to Chemical Composition : This is the most popular and useful way of pesticide classification based on chemical makeup. Pesticides such as insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and rodenticides are also classed based on their chemical compositions, as shown below:

Insecticides: Insecticides are classed chemically as Carbamates (Carbaryl), Organochlorine (Endosulfan), Organophosphorus (Monocrotophos), Pyrethroids (permethrin), Neonicotinoids (Imidacloprid), various pesticides such as Spinosyns (Spinosad), Benzolureas (diflubenzuron), Antibiotics (abamectin),

Fungicides: Fungicides are categorised as aliphatic nitrogen fungicides (dodine), amide fungicides (carpropamid), aromatic fungicides (chlorothalonil), dicarboximide fungicides (famoxadone), dinitrophenol fungicides (dinocap), and others.

Herbicides: Herbicides include anilide herbicides (flufenacet), phenoxyacetic herbicides (2, 4-D), quaternary ammonium herbicides (Paraquat), chlorotriazine herbicides (atrazine), sulfonylurea herbicides (chlorimuron), and others.

Rodenticides: Rodenticides are classed as inorganic rodenticides (Zinc phosphide, Aluminium Phosphide) or organic coumarin rodenticides (bromadiolone, coumatetralyl)

3. Classification of pesticides based on the pest organism they kill and pesticide ’s function ality (Use): Pesticides are characterized in this way based on the pest organisms they kill and their functions. Different type of pesticides are mentioned below:

Insecticides are chemicals that are used to kill insects and other arthropods. Fungicides are chemicals that kill fungi. Acaricides are pesticides that kill mites and ticks. Algicides are chemicals that kill or suppress algae. Herbicides are chemicals that are used to kill undesired plants. Antifeedants are chemicals that stop insects and other pests from eating. Avicides are poisonous chemicals used to kill birds. Bactericides are substances that kill or inhibit bacteria. Larvicides stop larvae from growing. Repellents are substances that repel bugs based on their taste or odour. Dessicants work by drying the tissues of plants. Virucides are antiviral agents. Ovicides inhibits the growth of insect and mite eggs. Nematicides are chemicals that kill nematodes, which are plant parasites. Termiticides are chemicals that kill termites. Chemicals that make an insect sterile and hence prevent it from reproducing are known as chemosterillants. Plant growth regulators are substances that affect the expected rate of plant growth, flowering, or reproduction.

4. Classification of pesticides based on Mode of Entry: Pesticide modes of entry refer to the various ways pesticides come into touch with or enter the target.

  • Systemic pesticides: pesticides absorbed into and transported to untreated tissue by plants and animals. 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) and glyphosate are both examples of systemic insecticides.

  • Contact (non-systemic) pesticides: When target pests come into contact with them, the pesticide acts on them. Paraquat and diquat dibromide, both contact insecticides, are examples.

  • Stomach poisons: These toxins enter the body of the pest through the mouth and digestive system. Malathion is one example.

  • Fumigants: Pesticides that kill or may kill target pests by creating vapour and entering the pest's body through the trachea.

  • Repellents: Repellents do not kill but they are disgusting enough to keep them away. The capacity of the pesticide to locate a crop also interferes.

5. Classification of p esticides by mode of action: various pesticides have various mode of action. And pesticides are categorised as following according to mode of action

  • Physical poison: Pesticides kill an insect with a physical effect

  • Protoplasmic poisons: protein precipitation is caused by pesticides

  • Respiratory poison: chemical substances which are respiratory enzymes that are in-active

  • Nerve poison: Chemicals block the transmission of impulses

  • Inhibition of chitin: Compounds hinder synthesis of chitin in pests

6. Classification based on sources of origin: Pesticides are divided into two categories: bio-pesticides and chemical pesticides, depending on their source of origin.

Organochlorine, organophosphate, carbamate, and pyrethroid pesticides are further classified into organochlorine, organophosphate, carbamate, and pyrethroids, as explained in the previous section.

Pesticides originating from natural sources such as animal, plant, and microorganisms are known as bio-pesticides (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and nematodes). They are divided into three categories.

  • Microbial pesticides: They are a type of pesticide that is produced by microorganisms Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and protozoa are the active ingredient in microbial pesticides. These pesticides kill insects by releasing poisons produced by microbiological organisms or infecting them.

  • Plant-incorporated pesticides: These pesticides are naturally produced by plants. In addition, genetic engineering is used to insert the gene required for pesticide production into the plant. As a result, the pesticide produced by such a plant, as well as the genetic material injected, are referred to as plant integrated protectants (PIPs).

  • Biochemical pesticides: These are natural compounds with nontoxic pest control processes. Insect sex pheromones (which interfere with mating) and a variety of fragrant plant extracts are examples of biochemical insecticides (work by attracting insect pests into traps).

PESTICIDE USAGE PATTERN

There are 293 pesticides registered in India, and it is reported that 104 pesticides are still being produced/used in the country despite being prohibited in two or more nations around the world (Goi, 2021). Out of total insecticides used for pest management in India, 50% are diverted to cotton pest management (Mooventhan, Murali, Kumar, & Kaushal, 2020).

Due to over dependence and indiscriminate use of insecticides, many ill-effects including residue in plant parts, resistance to insecticides, secondary pest out-break, pollution to natural resources, health complications for human and wildlife etc., warrant to switch over to eco-friendly pest management methods (Birthal & Sharma, 2004). In 2017 the Indian use is low, compared to 19.6 kg per ha in Saint Lucia, 16.59 in Hong Kong, 13.9 in Ecuador, 13.3 in Taiwan and 13.07 in China, at about 0.31 kg per ha of pesticide. America has reduced its use by 2.54 kg per hectare (Roser, 2019) .

https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/journals-html-galley/html-images/06aa67ff-3db0-4968-84b4-5bc07076e85bimage1.png
Figure 1: Pesticide use pattern- Worldwide and India (Source: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data) (FAO, 2018)

https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/journals-html-galley/html-images/06aa67ff-3db0-4968-84b4-5bc07076e85bimage2.png
Figure 2: Most consumed Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and rodenticides during 2019-20 in India

Pesticide usage patterns in India differ from those in the world as a whole (Figure 1). In India, insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides are used. Insecticides account for the majority of the total. The present pesticide use pattern in India is insecticides>herbicides>fungicides+bactericides>other-pesticides, whereas the global pesticide use pattern is herbicides>fungicides+bactericides>insecticides>other-pesticides. Currently, India is the world's fourth largest producer of pesticides. The Indian pesticides industry was worth Rs 214 billion in 2019, according to Research and Markets. The market is expected to reach Rs. 316 billion by 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.1 percent. (TAAS, 2020).

Chlorpyriphos is the most widely used insecticide pesticide (Figure 2 ). Its consumption has risen from 471 MT in 2014-15 to 1431 MT in 2019-20. Sulphur is the most often used fungicide, with a consumption of 1548 MT in 2014-15, which has climbed to 3878 Mt in 2019-20. In India, a high concentration of 2, 4-D amine salts is used as a weedicide (herbicide). Its usage was 1MT in 2014-15, but it increased to 1067 MT in 2019-20. Zinc phosphide has been the most often used rodenticide, with consumption ranging from 65 to 200 MT from 2014 to 2020 (GOI, 2020).

The most often used insecticides are organophosphates, followed by neonicotinoids and pyrethroids. According to one study, cotton is the most pesticide-consuming agri-product (93.27 percent), followed by vegetables (87.2 percent), wheat (66.4 percent), millet (52.6 percent), and mustard (12.6 percent ) (Maurya and Malik, 2016; Yadav and Dutta, 2019; Nayak et al., 2020)

PESTICIDES CONSUMPTION SCENARIO

https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/journals-html-galley/html-images/06aa67ff-3db0-4968-84b4-5bc07076e85bimage3.png
Figure 3: Worldwide Pesticide consumption (1990 to 2016) (Source: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RP/visualize)

https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/journals-html-galley/html-images/06aa67ff-3db0-4968-84b4-5bc07076e85bimage4.png
Figure 4: Pesticide consumption in India (1954 to 2017) (Source: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RP, (Chand & Birthal, 1997))

Pesticide production in India began in 1952 with the development of a facility for the manufacturing of BHC in Calcutta, and India is today Asia's second largest maker of pesticides after China, ranking twelfth internationally (Mathur & Tannan, 1999); (FAO, 2018). In India, there has been consistent rise from 5,000 metric tonnes in 1958 to 102,240 metre tonnes in 1998 in the manufacturing of technical grade pesticides. Pesticide demand was anticipated to be at Rs. 22 billion (USD 0.5 billion) in 1996–97, accounting for around 2% of the overall global market (Kumar, 2013).

According to the graph, pesticide usage in India has surged hundreds of times over the previous seven decades, from 154 MT in 1953-54 to 57,000 MT in 2016-17. In 1994-1995, India used the most pesticides (80,000 MT) in a single year (Chand et al., 1997); (Agnihotri, 2000); (Chelliah, Appasamy, Sankar, & Pandey, 2007); (FAO, 2018). Due to a prohibition or limit on using organochlorine pesticides, including HCH (BHC), DDT-aldrin etc, and the decrease was recorded between 2000 and 2010. One of the reasons for reducing pesticide usage is the adoption of the Stockholm Convention with high levels of application and the development of integrated pesticides management programmes (Mansouri et al., 2017); (Berg, Manuweera, & Konradsen, 2017).

Pesticide application in India is hampered by the use of low-grade pesticides and a lack of information about pesticide use. Pesticide usage without sufficient restrictions has resulted in a rise in pesticide residue identified in food items in India, according to the Economic Survey 2015-16 (Upadhyay & Nishant, 2016); (Grewal, Singla, Kamboj, & Dua, 2017)

https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/journals-html-galley/html-images/06aa67ff-3db0-4968-84b4-5bc07076e85bimage5.png
Figure 5: State wise pesticide consumption in India (2019-2020) (Source: (GOI, 2020))

During 2016-17, Maharashtra had the highest total pesticide consumption, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. While Punjab had the greatest per acre pesticide consumption (0.74 kg), followed by Haryana (0.62 kg), and Maharashtra (0.57 kg). According to the data (Figure 5 ), Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh account for 41% of India's pesticide consumption. More than 70% of crop protection chemicals are used in India by the top six states combined.

In these days, many individuals prefer natural alternatives to synthetic chemicals with a greater concern for the environment and for their own health. Because of the benefits related with environmental safety, target-specificity, efficacy, biodegradability, and applicability in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes, biopesticide is gaining popularity. The potential environmental safe application of biopesticides is well known. In view of increased requests for organic food, attention has been gaining (Kumar & Singh, 2015).

Pesticides derived from natural resources such as plants, animals, microbes, and certain minerals are known as biopesticides. Included in biopesticides are natural pests (Biochemical Pesticides), pesticide control (Microbial Pesticides) microorganisms and regulators of biochemical plant growth. Biopesticides have come a long way from the time of the emergence and general usage of more harmful synthetic pesticides to control agriculture as early as the 17th century (Koul, 2011); (Villaverde, Sandín-España, Sevilla-Morán, López-Goti, & Alonso-Prados, 2016); (Samada & Tambunan, 2020).

https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/journals-html-galley/html-images/06aa67ff-3db0-4968-84b4-5bc07076e85bimage6.png
Figure 6: Chemical and Bio pesticide consumption of last six years in India (Source: (GOI, 2020))

The graph (Figure 6 ) depicts changes in the use of chemical and biological insecticides during the last six years. In India, bio-pesticide consumption accounts for about 9% of overall pesticide consumption. Bio pesticides are being used less frequently. However, data indicate that biopesticide use has surged in India during the previous few decades. Consumption of neem, one of India's most widely used biopesticides, increased from 83 metric tonnes (MT) in 1994–1995 to 686 MT in 1999–2000, while consumption of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) climbed from 40 to 71 MT during the same period. The standing committee on chemicals and fertilisers submitted a report on pesticide production and availability in India during the 15th Lok Sabha (2012–2013). According to that report, biopesticide use expanded significantly from 123 metric tonnes (MT) in 1994–1995 to 8110 MT in 2011–2012, far above predictions (Mishra, Dutta, & Arora, 2020). According to PPQS data, the overall consumption of biopesticides in India increased by 40% from 2014–2015 to 2018–2019. (GOI, 2020).

There are currently 970 biopesticide products registered with the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC), which is the key governing organisation in India for all sorts of biopesticide usage (Wickramaarachchi, Chaudhary, & Patil, 2017); (Mishra et al., 2020); (Tripathi et al., 2020). Bacterial, fungal, viral, and other (plant-based, pheromones) biopesticides account for 29, 66, 4, and 1 percent of total biopesticide production, respectively (Mishra et al., 2020).

https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/journals-html-galley/html-images/06aa67ff-3db0-4968-84b4-5bc07076e85bimage7.png
Figure 7: Most consumed bio-pesticides in India (2019-20) (Source: (GOI, 2020))

In comparison to other products such as bioherbicides, biofungicides, and bionematicides, bioinsecticides continue to be in high demand. Bioinsecticides account for about 70 percent of the market, with special focus on that category for manufacturers, providing greater control and food safety (market, 2021).

In India, only 12 different kinds of biopesticides under the Insecticide Act of 1968 have been recorded (Kandpal, 2014). The main biopesticides manufactured and used in India are Neem-based insecticides, Bacillus thuringensis, NPV, and Trichoderma. While the register for use as chemical pesticides is greater than 230 synthetics (Sharma, Raju, Kumar, & Thakur, 2018). According to Figure 6, Tricoderma, Psedomonas, and NPV-H (nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Helicoverpa armigera) are the most often used insecticides in 2019-20. Most biopesticides, except some used in agriculture, are employed in public health. Besides transgenic plants and beneficial organisms known as bio-agents are also used for pest management in India. (Deevi & Biswas, 2011).

When chemical pesticides failed to eradicate Helicoverpa armigera, Spodoptera litura, and other cotton pests in India, a significant technological breakthrough in the field of biocontrol occurred (Kranthi et al., 2002). It was found that biocontrol is the only technology that can be used to control the widespread resistance of chemical pesticides to pest insects in a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally beneficial manner. Biopesticides were later included in IPM, which had previously relied only on the application of chemical pesticides (Samada et al., 2020); (Mishra et al., 2020).

CONCLUSION

For more than 60 years, pesticides have been regarded a rapid, convenient, and low-cost alternative for managing weeds and insect pests in agriculture, public health, and other sectors in India. It is established that pesticides have contributed significantly in increasing agricultural production and the farmers’ income globally. India has become self-sufficient in production of pesticides and also an important exporter of pesticides. More than 50% of the pesticides used in India are of insecticides. Chlorpyriphos insecticide has been utilized in highest amount compared to other insecticides. Average chemical pesticide consumption noted around 55000 tonnes/year during 2014-2018 while average bio-pesticides consumption observed around 3500 tonnes/year during 2014-2019. Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, both states of India occupies total 40% of segment in pesticide use. Trichoderma viride is the most frequently utilised species in the Indian biopesticide industry, having been utilised on 87 different crops, 70 soil-borne diseases, and 18 foliar diseases, respectively. Bio-pesticides can help farmers transition away from chemical pesticides and toward more dependable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly options. It is proposed that the commercial and public sectors work together to help farmers at the grassroots level by developing an integrated policy and supporting guidelines for the use of bio-pesticides and chemical pesticides.

Creative Commons Licence This work is licensed under a: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

© Granthaalayah 2014-2021. All Rights Reserved.