Sustainable Agriculture Literature Review - Boulder County
Sustainable Agriculture Literature Review - Boulder County
Sustainable Agriculture Literature Review - Boulder County
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7.1 Pesticide Usage<br />
Pesticides are commonly broken out into three major types: herbicides, insecticides, and<br />
fungicides (Graph 15). 528 They are used to control approximately 600 species of insects,<br />
1,800 weed species, and numerous species of fungi and nematodes all, of which are<br />
considered serious pests in agriculture. 529 There are three basic ways to evaluate<br />
pesticide usage. The first is the number of different pesticides applied on a given acre, the<br />
second is the total pounds of pesticide active ingredients applied per acre in a given year,<br />
and the third is the toxicity profile of pesticides used (section 10.1 Food Safety).<br />
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Graph 15: Overall Pesticide Usage 1964 to 2001 530<br />
The total pounds of active pesticide ingredients applied to crops rose steadily from early<br />
1960 until the 1980s, from which time it has remained relatively unchanged. 531 The initial<br />
increase in pesticide usage can largely be attributed to both the adoption of monocropping<br />
practices, which can make crops more vulnerable to pests, and to excessive or imprecise<br />
application of pesticides. Due to quality improvements in the mix of pesticide active<br />
ingredients, increases in the ability to target specific pests, and improved pesticide<br />
application methods and management by farmers, usage and growth rates leveled out. 532<br />
Additionally, between 1982 and 1990, commodity prices fell and as a result large amounts<br />
of land were taken out of production. 533 Despite these reductions in quantity, the per-unit<br />
price of synthetic pesticides has continued to increase. 534<br />
According to the USDA, since about 1990, pesticide usage has edged above the 1982<br />
peak, largely due to expanded use of soil fumigants, defoliants, and fungicides on<br />
potatoes, fruits, and vegetables. Total herbicides and insecticides have remained relatively<br />
unchanged despite more intensive insecticide treatments on cotton and potatoes, and an<br />
increased share of wheat acres treated with herbicides. 535<br />
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