The Biochemistry and Uses of Pesticides: Structure, Metabolism, Mode of Action and Uses in Crop Protection Book

Pesticide science is a multi-disciplinary subject and readers of this book are likely to be approaching it from a variety of scientific backgrounds. Consequently, although this book is an introductory text, suitable for use by undergraduates for whom the subject is but one part of a wider course, it is also expected that specialists, expert in their own field, may wish to set their own expertise in perspective or to superimpose a knowledge of pesticides upon their pre-existing expertise. Thus specialists in chemistry, biology, agriculture, entomology, plant pathology, ecology, food industries, soil science and toxicology may know far more about their chosen discipline than the present writer, yet still acknowledge a need to broaden their horizon by references to chapters dealing with matters in which they are not specialists. This second edition reflects the dramatic progress that has been made in the last several years towards an understanding of how pesticides function, how metabolism contributes to selectivity and safety, and of how the development of resistance is linked to biochemistry and molecular biology. Since the appearance of the first edition, a deeper insight has been gained into causes of the neurotoxicity of several groups of insecticides. In addition, more use is being made of newer insecticides which harm insects by altering behaviour or by interfering with the insect life cycle. The increased importance of substances such as the formamidines, insect growth regulators and avermectins has been recognized in this edition by an allocation of an additional chapter on newer compounds. Similarly, since much new information has become available on the causes of resistance in insects, this subject is now considered in a separate chapter, rather than piecemeal under several groups of insecticides. Advances have also been made in the last few years into an understanding of how fungicides work. This has permitted a more rational function-based classification than was hitherto possible, including a regrouping of the numerous types of substances used as systematic fungicides. An important aspect of some newer systemic fungicides is that they have not, so far, encouraged the development of resitance at the demanding rate characteristic of certain benzimidazoles and pyrimidines. On the other hand, there has been, for safety reasons, a decline in the use of several types of fungicides, including the formerly valuable dinitrophenols. An ELBS/LPBB edition is available.Read More