Pesticide contamination of non-target plants as a result of drift is a well-known fact now-a-days. Similarly, the medicinal plants which grow nearby an area where pesticides are often applied, also encounter the same problem. A short duration study was done on pesticide drifting to three medicinal plants i.e. Centella asiatica (Thankuni) Bryophyllum pinnatum (Dupor tenga in Assamese), and Ocimum sanctum(Tulsi) with two pesticides endosulfan and chlorpyriphos. Pesticide residue analysis revealed high levels of residue just after application up to one week or so, which gradually decreases with time. Depending on distance and days after sampling we have found that sometimes it exceeded even maximum residue limit. Pesticide drifting also affected the growth and chlorophyll content of the plants. Endosulfan proved more detrimental.
This is worth thinking because as farmers many a times use medicinal plants for curing diseases, consumption of such contaminated medicinal plants may create negative health effects.
Replies
Pesticidal drift in medicinal plants can be potentially dangerous when medicinal plants are used frequently specially in rural areas. it is an alarming trend..
we must make efforts to reduce this if not completely eliminate it
Dr b n das
I have a limited knowledge about the bio-pesticides that are available in the market. But if they contain chemicals like cyanide, may be we need to reconsider it once again. The problem is that farmers at any cost need their crop so that they can earn their living. At the same time there lies a gap between the labs or institutes who do the research and the field. But in my view, if we want to save our crop, our agriculture and the farmer's lives too, the requirement is to opt for IPM by popularizing it. There are so many indigenous technologies to control pests in the field which are forgotten by the farmers. A thrust should be given on revitalizing all those traditional knowledge along with enhancing the environment for natural bio-control agents. That may be able to handle the situation in the long run. Otherwise, a doom is definitely waiting for us.
I will be happy to get more information sharing and discussion in this issue.
Here is the report on drifting of pesticides. In this process pesticide particles may go ta distant place. So, it might not be possible to find pesticide-free medicinal plants from forest.
Dr. A.K.Pandey said:
This is very alarming trend that pesticides are found in medicinal plants. We must analyse the pesticidal constituents very carefully because it will affect entire sector. I my opinion the medicinal plants being collected from the forest are almost free from pesticides. Normally farmers are not applying pesticiedes while doing cultivation. It is coming with the water flowing over paddy fields etc.
Dr.A.K.Pandey
Scientist,
Regarding endosulfan:
"SC bans endosulfan production, sale and use
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered a countrywide ban on manufacture, sale and use of the cheap and popular pesticide endosulfan citing its toxic effects on humans and environment.
Applying precautionary principle to order the eight-week interim ban, the court said right to life was above all other interests and considerations and it could not "take on its head" a single child getting affected by the pesticide during the period when the Centre-appointed expert committee conducted tests to determine endosulfan's toxicity."
(as reported in: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-14/india/295428...)
As against the proposition of pesticide toxicity we may read the book:
Entine, J. (Ed.). (2011). Crop Chemophobia: Will Precaution Kill the Green Revolution? The AEI Press, Washington, D.C.
(as mentioned in:http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/jsass/whats_wrong_with_our_nation...
and
http://www.amazon.com/Crop-Chemophobia-Precaution-Green-Revolution/...
Here is another addendum regarding chlorpyriphos:
"EPA began phasing out non-agricultural uses of the insecticide chlorpyrifos 10 years ago because it can wreak havoc on developing brains and bodies. Chlorpyrifos (PDF) is an acute neurotoxin that remains widely used in U.S. agriculture (PDF) with about 8 million pounds applied to U.S. crops each year. Children in farming communities across the country face regular exposure to chlorpyrifos..............
PAN is working with partners, including the Farm Worker Pesticide Project, to urge EPA to complete the chlorpyrifos ban. If chlorpyrifos is too dangerous for urban kids, it’s too dangerous for rural and farmworker kids (as referred by http://www.panna.org/resources/panups/panup_20100226).
Agreed sir. Good info.
Dr. SUBHABRATA PANDA said:
sir,
I started my relation with biopesticide since from my MSc project and from there itself I have a moulded knowledge that it is not going to be in wide practice though it is effective in its bordered respects. But my thought get completely vanished now while delting with the biopesticides from cassava (tapioca) who's sole constitution is Hydrogen Cyanide its very effective and economic. I expect a doubtfull emotion in ur face since the matter is cyanide, realise the fact that all pesticides are toxins which are classified as good/bad based on its degradable capacity and systemic behaviour. Similarly HCN is also toxin but has a star value that it is a highly reactive ligand which easily degrades in nature and is non systemic also. Hoping not only for an additional income for cassava farmers but also for the sake of coming future I want to dream for a 'new green revolution'.
Dr. SUBHABRATA PANDA said:
Dear J.U.Krishnan,
You cannot directly make allegation on farmers.
Because "Endosulfan's chemical characteristics and behavior in the environment make it a "persistent organic pollutant," eligible for a global ban under the Stockholm Convention (as referred by http://www.panna.org/resources/specific-pesticides/endosulfan).
So, the good governance is required in controlling such misuse of pesticides. This requires also inclusion of knowledgeable persons in such programmes to empower governance.
Biopesticides may be the answer. But all of ourselves know about 'Betty Botter' a tounge-twister written by Carolyn Wells. Then Betty apprehended that a pinch bitter butter might spoil the whole.
Now, take our situation when we claim ourselves as able environmentalist, having sound scientific background, we remain one eyed about misuse of harmful pesticides and at the same time close another eye towards the fact that those hazardous poisons are the result of fruitful scientific endeavour of chemical laboratories followed by its introduction in the cultivation of crops through continued strides from the authority for extending such innovation among farmers' community.
So, considering all such facts time calls us to think about the matter in a holistic way.
Please, do not take this as a conclusion, rather we can now continue the discussion further.
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