Latest news with #fungicide
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Common farm chemicals may be heralding an ‘insect apocalypse'
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. Fruits and vegetables are often sprayed with fungicides to keep mold at bay. However, new research suggests one of these chemicals could be quietly harming insects that are critical to healthy ecosystems and could lead to an insect apocalypse. According to a study from Macquarie University, one of the world's most widely used fungicides, chlorothalonil, drastically reduces insect fertility. It does so even at the lowest levels commonly found on produce. Today's Top Deals XGIMI Prime Day deals feature the new MoGo 4 and up to 42% off smart projectors Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals During testing and research, scientists exposed fruit flies to real-world doses of the chemical and found that their egg production dropped by over a third. The effect wasn't something that happened slowly over time, either. Instead, it was immediate and significant, the statement says, affecting both male and female fertility. And this isn't an effect like when researchers got fruit flies hooked on cocaine, either. This is actually life threatening for the population. And while that might sound useful, especially considering how annoying fruit flies can be when they settle down a plant in your home, it's a big deal for more than just flies. Insects like bees, flies, and other pollinators are crucial for growing the food we eat. If their populations decline, it could disrupt pollination and harm crops in the long run. This study is just the latest in a growing list of research documenting steep drops in insect populations around the world, which some scientists have heralded as an impending insect apocalypse. What's especially concerning is that this fungicide isn't just used when there's a risk of infection. It's often applied preventatively, when no disease is present in the crops. While it's true that chlorothalonil is banned in the European Union, it remains widely used in places like Australia, where it's applied to everything from vineyards to farms that harvest berries. Despite its popularity, chlorothalonil hasn't been studied under the microscope all that much. Fewer than 25 published studies have explored its impact on insects, so this new study could be a massive piece of a case against the future usage of this chemical. This also points to a major gap in how we evaluate the environmental effects of common pesticides we rely on. The researchers behind the study suggest rethinking how often chlorothalonil is applied. By spacing out treatments, farmers could give insect populations time to recover between sprays. While not the best outcome by any means, it would at least mitigate some of the damage we're doing to the insect populations, though how long it will take for them to recover between sprays would need to be determined, too. More Top Deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 See the
Irish Times
29-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Is it too late to save my blighted potato plants?
My potato plants are showing signs of blight, with some of the leaves starting to discolour and drop off. Is it too late to save them? I don't really want to spray them unless it's necessary. Michael D, Galway Unfortunately, early summer's rainy, humid weather created exactly the sort of conditions suitable for the spread of potato blight, the famously destructive fungal disease that can badly damage and even destroy potato plants as well as the tubers developing underground. It can also strike tomato plants, with similarly depressing consequences. Controlling it is challenging, especially if you're growing your plants in an area with other potato plants growing nearby – for example, on an allotment site – where the risk of the disease leapfrogging from one crop to another is high. READ MORE The conventional approach is to spray plants with a protective fungicide several times during the growing season to prevent infection. Some of these conventional fungicides are non-systemic, acting only as a protective layer, while others are systemic, being absorbed deep into the tissue of the plant. Neither is effective as a treatment for already infected plants, nor are they considered organically acceptable. [ How to get the best out of your potatoes Opens in new window ] Instead, organic gardeners favour a combination of planet-friendly methods that include choosing potato varieties with proven high blight resistance; growing 'early varieties' that are ready to harvest much more quickly and are thus less vulnerable to the disease than slower-to-mature main crop varieties; practising good cultural controls such as crop rotation and generous spacing between individual plants; removing old tubers that have overwintered in the ground as well as 'volunteer' plants in spring; and using natural biostimulants such as Herfomyc, which boost the plants' ability to resist infection. You can also slow the spread of the disease in infected plants by handpicking and carefully binning individual infected leaves. But once it has spread to roughly a quarter of the crop, you should cut back all the plants to just above the ground and then carefully bin burn/ dispose of all the afflicted top growth. This will slow down the spread of blight to the tubers themselves, which can be left in the ground for up to several weeks to ripen before being harvested. [ Should you chit seed potatoes before planting them? Opens in new window ] Some gardeners like to combine this method with a layer of plastic sheeting or horticultural fleece spread over the bare soil after the stems have been cut back. The thinking here is that this also helps to prevent the fungal spores from infecting the tubers themselves.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GLOBAL MANCOZEB SUMMIT: ADDRESSING ITS CRUCIAL ROLE IN CROP PROTECTION AHEAD OF EU COURT HEARING
LONDON, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UPL Corporation Ltd. (UPL Corp) - part of UPL Group Company (NSE: UPL) & (BSE: 512070) (LSE: UPL), a global provider of holistic and sustainable agricultural solutions, and The Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science in Agriculture (CERSA) at North Carolina State University, a national and international resource for furthering excellence in regulatory science in agriculture, announced that farmers, researchers, and agriculture experts from around the globe convened at Rothamsted Research in the UK for the Global Mancozeb Summit. This unprecedented event highlighted the vital role of mancozeb, a multi-site fungicide, in integrated disease management strategies. Hosted by CERSA, and supported by UPL Corp, the summit underscored mancozeb's global importance as the European Union's General Court prepares to hear its renewal case on July 1. "Mancozeb is a foundational technology for disease protection in plants," said Mike Frank, CEO of UPL Corp, during his opening remarks at the summit. "It's particularly crucial for growers managing fungal diseases in crops like bananas, soybeans, potatoes, and fruits and vegetables. It provides reliable, multi-site protection, helping prevent resistance build-up and ensuring consistent yields. These conversations are vital for the future of farming and the well-being of our planet." Mancozeb and Its Crucial Role in Disease Management Since mancozeb's revocation in the EU in 2020 and in the UK in 2024, farmers across Europe and beyond have faced increased challenges controlling fungal diseases and resistance to single-site fungicides. Mancozeb's absence has significantly impacted potato, fruit, and vegetable growers who used the cost-effective tool for its multi-site action to protect against disease while managing resistance. "We want to apply fewer pesticides to our crops, and a multi-site tool like mancozeb helps us do this," said Catarina Pereira from Porbatata, the Portuguese Potato Association. "Without mancozeb, farmers are forced to use alternative products that are costlier and require higher volumes." Experts noted severe consequences of mancozeb's absence, particularly regarding the management of diseases like potato blight. Strains resistant to carboxylic acid amide and oxathiapiprolin fungicides caused widespread devastation in regions like the Netherlands, Northern Germany, and Denmark in 2022 and 2023. French farmer and FEDEPOM representative Jean-Paul Deneuville highlighted the fallout, explaining, "Some growers lost whole crops to potato blight in 2024. Without mancozeb, farmers are applying 2–3 times more fungicides, significantly increasing costs." Fruit growers have also felt the impact. "Mancozeb was one of three tools available for apple scab management," said Xavier Le Clanche of the Association Nationale Pommes Poires. "Losing mancozeb has reduced our ability to combat scab and left us with no solution against rust diseases. Growers are now faced with difficult decisions about replanting crops or shifting production entirely in some historical production areas." A Call for Science-Based Decisions The summit gathered perspectives from stakeholders globally, emphasizing the scientific community's consensus regarding mancozeb's safety and efficacy. David Cooke from the James Hutton Institute noted, "The lack of mancozeb in fungicide programs was a contributing factor to the spread of resistant strains. Reintroducing this tool can protect other products and help manage resistance." Delegates at the summit anticipate that the upcoming EU Court hearing will provide an opportunity to reevaluate the 2020 decision. French potato producer representative Oriane Vialle-Guerin explained, "The more you limit the number of approved crop protection solutions, the more pressure you place on those remaining, and this accelerates resistance issues." The Road Ahead Farmers and industry experts at the summit voiced hope for a decision that would prioritize food security and affordability across Europe. Portuguese representatives highlighted the positive impact of mancozeb's reinstatement, not just for crop protection but for cost management, sustainability, and fewer pesticide applications overall. Adrian Percy, Executive Director of the NC Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI) at North Carolina State University expressed optimism about the summit's role in driving meaningful progress. "This dialogue on the science, real-world applications, and a path forward for mancozeb is essential. Giving farmers access to the tools they need isn't just about farming; it's about securing food production and sustainability for future generations." With the EU Court hearing just weeks away, the Global Mancozeb Summit has reinforced the importance of basing regulatory decisions on robust scientific evidence and the real-world challenges that farmers face. NOTES TO EDITORS: SOURCE UPL Corporation Ltd. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Aussie council's innovative idea to combat invasive pest taking down city's trees
An Aussie council believes it has found a way to fight back against an invasive pest that is infecting and destroying trees across the city. In most cases, when the bug is found, there is nothing that can be done other than to chop off affected limbs or cut down the tree. Native to Southeast Asia, the polyphagous shot-hole borer was first found in Fremantle, WA, in 2021 — confusing experts on how it got into the country and sparking fears the destructive beetles could wipe out forests and agricultural crops. The issue has since escalated rapidly, with entire sections of greater Perth put into quarantine in September last year as authorities scrambled to thwart the tiny critter. In November, the City of Canning, which overseas the southeastern suburbs of the Western Australian capital city, urged residents to help in the fight by keeping an eye out for the pest, especially if they had a particular list of trees in their garden. Earlier this year, the council began a state-first trial by pioneering a new technique to thwart the invasive pest. The council has been injecting infected trees with small pills filled with fungicide and insecticide in a bid to kill of the pest and restore tree health. And the early data is very promising. "The City is continuing its trial of chemical treatment of Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) at Bicentennial Adenia Reserve to gather further data supporting the current findings," the city's mayor Patrick Hall told Yahoo News on Friday. "Following a recent inspection from Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) representatives a reduction in the number of live beetles and active fungus in borer galleries has been confirmed." Entire Aussie city quarantined as bug threat spreads Harvey Norman bed discovered riddled with invasive species from China New predatory bug species uses 'tool' to assassinate prey According to Hall, every local government in WA "is under threat" from the species. While the City of Canning is confident the early signs from the trial could put them on path to some sort of panacea, the results are still being reviewed by the council's academic partners "for validity". "While not a complete solution to PSHB, this trial is part of the City of Canning's commitment to sustainable urban forest management and is a key step in an integrated pest management approach, combining tree health initiatives, pruning, and innovative control methods," Hall said in a statement to Yahoo. The council will release further information as additional trial data is reviewed. Speaking to Nine News Perth this month, John Szymanski from BioHerbicides Australia, which is helping carry out the field work in the trial, explained the simple idea. "I thought hang on, it's an insect, it's a fungus, why can't we put an insecticide and a fungicide in the capsule, and put it in the tree? "It's the difference between keeping a tree alive, and just removing it," he said. The council wants state government endorsement and funding to conduct further trials and hopes the treatment ultimately means fewer trees will have to be cut down and the door opened to potential eradication. If so, it's a technique the council says could be used in other parts of Australia where the pest has caused trouble. Meanwhile residents in WA are urged to keep doing their part and remain vigilant for the bugs. If anyone discovers tiny holes the size of a ball point pen in clusters, they are urged to report the suspected infestation to DPIRD. Affected trees can "quickly become public safety hazards and a constant source of beetles that can disperse to neighbouring trees, causing spread," the department's website says. Originally from southeast Asia, the tiny creatures have now invaded several countries including the United States and Israel. One of the worst impacted countries is South Africa where it's estimated to have caused $28 billion in damage. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
The Guardian
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Houseplant clinic: why does my kalanchoe have a powdery coating?
What's the problem? My kalanchoe plant's leaves have developed a strange white, powdery coating, and I'm worried it may spread. Diagnosis This sounds like powdery mildew, a common fungal disease. It thrives in warm, humid environments with poor airflow. Powdery mildew doesn't usually kill a plant outright, but it weakens growth, damages leaves and can spread quickly to nearby plants. Prescription Start by isolating the affected plant to prevent the fungus from spreading. Remove any heavily infected leaves carefully. Improve airflow by opening a window often or using a fan. Treat the remaining leaves with a natural antifungal spray: mix one teaspoon of baking soda with a litre of water and a drop of castile soap. Spray the plant weekly until the mildew clears. For more stubborn infections, apply neem oil or use a store-bought fungicide. Prevention Make sure not to overcrowd your plants and maintain good air circulation, particularly around succulents. Check them regularly, especially during the cooler months, to identify early signs of fungal activity.
