Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura T. Ward, Michelle L. Hladik, Aidee Guzman, Sara Winsemius, Ariana Bautista, Claire Kremen, Nicholas J. Mills
Summary: Bees are essential for crop pollination, but their populations are declining due to intensified agricultural practices. Field border plants that attract pollinators can increase bee diversity and abundance, but they may also contain pesticides. This study collected various samples for pesticide residue analysis and found that exposure to pesticides among wild bees is largely unknown, highlighting the need for more information to inform agricultural practices and regulations aimed at protecting bees.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Clemens Lamberth
Summary: Cross-indication testing is a successful approach to identify lead compounds by assaying the effects of agrochemical compounds, including intermediates and side products, from one indication on target species of other product lines. This review article provides examples of herbicides derived from fungicides and insecticides, fungicides obtained from herbicide and insecticide leads, and insecticides rooted in herbicide and fungicide chemistry.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Michelle L. Hladik, Johanna M. Kraus, Cassandra D. Smith, Mark Vandever, Dana W. Kolpin, Carrie E. Givens, Kelly L. Smalling
Summary: Conservation efforts aim to enhance pollinator diversity in agroecosystems, but their exposure to pesticides in grassland fields remains poorly understood. This study assessed pesticide exposure using passive samplers and bee tissues in conservation grassland fields. A total of 46 pesticides were detected, with herbicides more prevalent in July and insecticides and fungicides more prevalent in August. Pesticide concentrations in bands increased with cultivated crops. Bee tissues showed consistent detection frequency across months. The results highlight the importance of considering both passive samplers and bee tissues to understand pesticide exposure in conserved grasslands.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Andre Jeanguenat, Clemens Lamberth
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the important role of sulfur in crop protection chemistry. Sulfur is used as a fungicide in its elemental form, and also exists in agrochemicals in the form of sulfur-containing rings or functional groups. The review covers different sulfur-based functional groups, their synthesis approaches, and their representative compounds in crop protection. (c) 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Monica Lopes-Ferreira, Luiz Rogerio Ludwig Farinha, Yasmin Stefanie Oliveira Costa, Felipe Justiniano Pinto, Geonildo Rodrigo Disner, Joao Gabriel dos Santos da Rosa, Carla Lima
Summary: The increasing concern over the risks of pesticide exposure, particularly due to their unintended effects on non-target organisms, has highlighted the importance of proper handling and regulation of these substances. Pesticides have been found to induce inflammation in different experimental models, emphasizing the need for research into safer and sustainable practices to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Logan S. Billet, Alice Belskis, Jason T. Hoverman
Summary: Global climate change has significant effects on ecological interactions, such as host-parasite relationships. The toxicity of pesticides to non-target species is temperature-dependent, but most studies focus on host organisms, limiting our understanding of how temperature affects pesticide toxicity to free-living parasites.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Clemens Lamberth
Summary: This article highlights the significance of manipulating molecular backbones by inserting small flexible linkers and demonstrates how analogues derived through this strategy may exhibit similar biological activity. Elongation with oxygen, amino, methylene, ethylene, vinyl, ethynyl, and CH2O bridges has led to the discovery of highly active agrochemicals.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sara Mayo-Prieto, Alessandra Squarzoni, Guzman Carro-Huerga, Alejandra J. Porteous-Alvarez, Santiago Gutierrez, Pedro Antonio Casquero
Summary: Chemically synthesized pesticides have been primarily used to control pests, diseases, and weeds. However, some pesticides can persist in the soil for a long time, impacting both the development of organisms in the rhizosphere and human health. This research analyzed the compatibility of indigenous Trichoderma strains with various synthetic fungicides, acaricides, insecticides, and herbicides. The results showed that the combination of indigenous Trichoderma strains with organic pesticides could be an effective strategy for pest and disease control in the field. Conventional pesticides, on the other hand, negatively influenced the development of indigenous Trichoderma strains.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jiraporn Chittrakul, Ratana Sapbamrer, Wachiranun Sirikul
Summary: There is some evidence suggesting an association between exposure to pesticides, particularly insecticides, and an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the current evidence is limited and further epidemiological studies are needed to confirm this relationship.
Article
Agronomy
Eli Zaady, Shlomo Sarig, Itzhak Katra
Summary: This study investigates the presence and transport of pesticides through dust particles in farmlands and natural areas, showing that seasonal agricultural activities are the main driver of pesticide distribution.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stephane Jeanmart, Andrew J. F. Edmunds, Clemens Lamberth, Martin Pouliot, James A. Morris
Summary: This review discusses the synthesis of 33 agrochemicals with ISO names from January 2015 to December 2018, showcasing the wide range of reactions, reagents, and intermediates used to discover and produce the latest active ingredients for the crop protection industry.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chien-Che Hung, Lih-Ming Yiin
Summary: Honeybees, with their foraging characteristics, can serve as bioindicators of pesticide exposure in a neighborhood. In a study conducted in East Taiwan, bee samples from 15 apiaries and dust samples from the surrounding environment were collected and analyzed to assess availability and establish correlation between the two samples. The study found significant correlation between residue concentrations in bees and in dust, suggesting that honeybees can be good indicators for herbicide and fungicide exposure within certain ranges. Sick/dead bees had higher pesticide contents compared to healthy bees, indicating their use as a warning sign of pesticide pollution severity.
Review
Agronomy
Agnieszka Murawska, Pawel Migdal, Adam Roman
Summary: The research focuses primarily on the biochemical effects of plant protection products (PPPs) in honey bees, especially insecticides such as neonicotinoids. Sublethal doses of PPPs can have harmful effects on bee colonies, affecting their physiology, health, and performance. Additionally, PPPs may alter the antioxidant defense, detoxification process, gene expression, and immune response in bees.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Charlie C. Nicholson, Neal M. Williams
Summary: The study examines how cropland heterogeneity affects pesticide use and finds reduced pesticide application frequency and intensity in landscapes with greater diversity. It also observes that pesticide class has a more consistent impact on landscape patterns, and that the effect is more pronounced for perennial crops compared to annual crops.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fabien J. Demares, Daniel Schmehl, Jeffrey R. Bloomquist, Ana R. Cabrera, Zachary Y. Huang, Pierre Lau, Juliana Rangel, Joseph Sullivan, Xianbing Xie, James D. Ellis
Summary: This study assessed the health risk of pesticide exposure to honey bees in urban and suburban areas by analyzing pesticide residues in nectar and pollen samples. The results showed that honey bees in developed areas are exposed to fewer pesticides compared to agricultural areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2022)