Management of Pesticides: Purposes, Uses, and Concerns

Pesticide is one of the important substances to ensure sustainable food supply for the increasing population. Pesticide is necessary for the diverse agro-climatic conditions including different tactics to farming and crop protection. Pesticides are widely used to inhibit or control pests, like insects, diseases, weeds, and other pathogens to diminish or remove yield losses and uphold high quality product. Due to the lack of particular awareness and understanding of growers regarding pesticide use, different adverse effects caused by pesticides and pesticide residues, such as: pest resistance to pesticides, degeneration of beneficial organisms such as predators, pollinators and earthworms, resurgence of pests, diversity in soil microbial, toxic residues in food, water and air, the disruption of ecosystem, and acute and chronic human illnesses, are gradually increasing. This chapter highlights the severe consequences of disorganized pesticide practice on diverse environmental components as well as tentative management policies of pesticide use. A proper use of pesticides is required to protect the environment and health risks associated with pesticide use. Different pest control strategies, such as: integrated pest management, physical, mechanical, biological, and cultural control of pesticide could reduce the number and amount of pesticide applications. In addition, a rational use of pesticide could diminish the harmful effect of pesticides on our surroundings and environment.