Introduction to pesticides

Any substance or mixture of natural or industrial chemicals that has a degree of toxicity to living organisms, is used to prevent or combat pest damage. Pests include disease-carrying insects, harmful plants or animals that interfere with production, storage, transportation or marketing. Pesticides are also used as regulators of plant growth, or to protect and dry its leaves or prevent shedding of fruits, and also to protect crops after harvesting from spoilage during storage or transportation.
According to the law on pesticides in the GCC countries, it is defined as any organic or inorganic chemical product, natural or biological, used for pest control or as a plant growth regulator. Pesticides are a double-edged sword, contributing to an increase in agricultural production globally by more than 35% and protecting humans from epidemics, but they also carry damage caused by their chemical nature.

The widespread use of pesticides in pest control has led to the appearance of numerous damages, which has made their use subject to criticism for the following reasons:

  • Specialized pesticides are expensive, and general pesticides also kill vital enemies.

  • The emergence of new pests that were secondary and became major and destructive for crops.

  • Pest resistance to pesticides when used repeatedly.

  • Pollution of the environment and the prolonged stay of pesticides in it, which harms beneficial organisms.

  • The transmission of pesticide residues to humans and animals and their accumulation in the body causing dangerous diseases.

  • Reduced crop production as a result of the toxicity of some pesticides to plants.

  • Its great harm to bees, fish and marine organisms.

Pesticides are thus "economic poisons" - they are useful if used correctly at the right time and place, as they reduce pest losses and the resulting poisoning damage.

The importance and uses of plant nutrients

Nitrogen:
It is important at different stages of growth and especially in the early stages of the life of plants to increase the vegetative total.

Phosphorus:
It is important at different stages of growth, especially at the early stages of plant life, for the formation and growth of roots and their elongation, and during the flowering stage to increase the proportion of flowers.

Potassium:
It is important at different stages of growth, especially the fruiting stage, to increase the size of fruits and productivity.

Sulfur:
Important in improving soil properties and facilitating nutrients for plants, contributes to vital processes in the plant.

Calcium:
It contributes to the formation of the cell wall and its rigidity for fruits and plants in general, and is an especially important element at the fruiting stage for the Prevention of many physiological diseases such as pink tip rot in tomatoes, peppers and others.

Magnesium:
It helps in vegetative growth in addition to nitrogen and iron, and contributes to increasing the percentage of oils in oil crops.

The Iron:
It helps in vegetative growth in addition to nitrogen and magnesium.

Manganese:
It activates the process of photosynthesis, contributes to vital processes in the plant.

Zinc:
It helps to elongate the cells in the plant, as well as other vital processes.

Copper:
It contributes to the integrity of the leaf surface and fruits, is important for productivity in the wheat crop.

Boron:
It helps the plant to benefit from the element calcium, has an important role in the pollination process, promotes the transfer of sugar in the plant.

Molybdenum:
It has an important role in fixing nitrogen with Root nodes and converting nitrogen into protein.

Amino acids;:
A vital plant stimulant, they contribute to the plant's tolerance to harsh environmental conditions such as water stress (drought), climatic changes, pollutants.

Humic and Fulvic Acid:
It has a role in improving the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil, which contributes to increasing the availability of nutrients for plants and increasing productivity.

Marine algae:
They contribute to the utilization of nutrients at all stages of plant life, which affects the increase in productivity.