Context
Introduction
In agriculture, pesticides are used to manage pests and diseases, but they can be dangerous to people, pets, and the environment. Pesticides are chemical substances used as pest control measures.
There are several types of these, including insecticide, nematicide, molluscicide, piscicide, avicide, rodenticide, microbicide, fungicide, and lampricide. Herbicides are the most widely used of them, making for around 80% of all pesticide usage.
The majority of pesticides are designed to act as plant protection agents, which often guard plants against weeds, fungi, or insects. For instance, the aquatic weed Salvinia is controlled by the fungus Alternaria solani.
Why is there any essence of an alternative?
Some of the advantages of employing biopesticides are:
1. strengthening crop quality
2. using less chemical pesticides
3. exclusively focus on the individual pest causing agricultural damage
4. reducing environmental pollution
What are the alternatives?
1. BIOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT
Biological control also referred to as Bio-Control, is one eco-friendly substitute for a chemical pesticide. Although the concept of Bio-Control may initially seem intriguing and even terrifying, it has really been used in ancient China.
It entails using biopesticides, or the pests' natural enemies, to control the pest population. These enemies can be other insects, bacteria, or fungi.
2. Companion planting
Companion planting is the technique of growing various crops together in the same field in gardening and agriculture. According to the reasoning underlying this technique, planting a certain plant might be a strategy to promote the crop because different plants may support one another's growth and output.
3. INTERGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT USE
Using a variety of techniques known as integrated pest management (IPM), pest issues can be resolved while posing the fewest threats to people and the environment.
The best biological, chemical, and cultural techniques that are intended to be environmentally friendly and sustainable are used as part of an effective IPM program.
4. PREDATORS AND PATHOGENIC NEMATODES ARE PRESENTED
When we are in an ecosystem with both prey and predators, a natural equilibrium is achieved. A possible approach is to attract wildlife to your yard. For example, ladybirds eat aphids, and wrens, robins, and blackbirds can catch snails and caterpillars. You can plant a variety of flowers to encourage species diversity, or you can construct shelters for small animals like hedgehogs or bird feeders to draw beneficial wildlife into your garden.
5. AERATION AND GOOD VENTILATION
Inappropriate environmental factors are a major contributor to many plant diseases. In humid environments with poor air circulation, fungi and other disease agents can spread quickly. By choosing high-quality potting compost that can hold onto moisture without producing waterlogging, watering the plants only when necessary (each plant has distinct demands), and draining the surplus water from the pot dish, we may avoid those circumstances.
6. CLEAN AND ORGANIC
Maintaining order in our green space is crucial, and the current season is a fantastic time to do some cleaning.
7. Proper cutting
To keep the plant healthy and in good form, pruning is necessary. In order to prevent an infection or disease from spreading throughout the entire plant, we should generally remove and kill any damaged, dead, or infected branches from fruit trees and bushes. By removing branches that are growing toward the tree's center, you can keep the tree healthy and help it breathe well and receive more light.
How are these better?
Furthermore, it's critical to practice sustainable food production. That entails preserving and safeguarding our environment as well as cultivating crops without compromising soil quality, biodiversity, or generating excessive amounts of carbon emissions.
Taken care not to apply chemical pesticides excessively since they may have negative side effects on creatures that are not intended targets.
Quite profitable, even when the strategy hasn't been all that successful
Are these easily available?
Yes, there are really simple alternatives that only need to be kept up for a long time.
The alternatives are considerably easier for individuals to access. They significantly alter the ecosystem, affecting both people and plants. Plant upkeep will undoubtedly arise from a proper supply and sufficient resources.
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