Author
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Mastovska, Katerina |
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Submitted to: CRC Press
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 4/10/2005 Publication Date: 8/8/2005 Citation: Mastovska, K. 2005. Role of pesticides in produce production, preservation, quality, and safety. CRC Press. pp.329-359. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Produce, and crop plants in general, can be attacked by numerous pests, mainly insects, nematodes and fungi. Moreover, various weeds may compete with the crop plants for moisture, nutrients, and light. Pesticides are substances designed to prevent, destroy, attract, repel, or control pests and weeds. The presented book chapter aims mainly at the positive role of different pesticide groups in produce production, preservation, quality, and safety; but it also discusses risks associated with pesticide use and strategies to reduce them. The major benefits of pesticide application include increased produce yields and reduced spoilage during storage, transport, distribution, and produce processing. Another important aspect associated with pesticide use is improved produce quality (larger products with better nutritious quality) and also fruits and vegetables free from insects, surface blemishes, scars, punctures or other damage caused by pests. Apart from the less attractive appearance of the damaged products, surface (cuticle) damages open the door to further degradative changes, moisture loss, and also bacterial and fungal colonization, resulting in microbial spoilage of produce and a potential health risk to consumers due to the possible presence of pathogenic microorganisms and toxins they may produce. Moreover, many pests, such as insects, nematodes and mollusks, serve as vectors for plant and food borne diseases. Thus, pesticides play an important role in produce preservation and safety for preventing/reducing primary and secondary microbial contamination. The book chapter presents problems caused by various pests in produce production and their control by insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, molluscides, fungicides, bactericides, herbicides, rodenticides, and avicides; and discusses the benefits of using plant growth regulators, sprouting inhibitors, desiccants, defoliants, and fruit thinning agents, which are also included in the definition of a pesticide. Basic traits of biological effects and mode of action of the discussed pesticides are described, including the most important examples of pesticide/pest/produce combinations. |
