Muzafar Riyaz

By Muzafar Riyaz, Rauf Ahmad Shah and Kuppusamy Sivasankaran

Pesticide residues are the traces of pesticide compounds that remain on or in the crop, water, soil and air after the application. Pesticide residues get into the environment as a result of application or by accident and can be found in the air, water and soil. Pesticide residues, if present in air, soil and water can pose a serious threat to biological diversity and human health. After depositing in the environment, the pesticides start to break down and forms metabolites that are more or less toxic. Pesticide residues decline as the pesticide breaks down over time, therefore the levels of residues are highest immediately after the application and diminish as the crops continue to grow. When exposed to sunlight or microorganisms in the soil, most pesticides degrade easily however, the utmost number of pesticides after application scatter into non-target areas or leach into groundwater or move in surface runoff by misuse and misapplication while handling or spraying. The impact of widespread usage of chemical pesticides has made an uncountable number of effects on human health, environment and other life forms and has turned into a serious issue across the globe. The present study aims to present an introduction to the environmental pesticide residues and various aspects highlighting their impact on nature and biodiversity.

Part of the book: Biodegradation Technology of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants

By Muzafar Riyaz, Rauf Ahmad Shah and Soosaimanickam Maria Packiam

Insects play a very vital role in divergent ecosystems and have gained great economic and medical importance as pollinators, pests, predators, parasitoids, decomposers and vectors. With the large-scale practice of synthetic pesticides, the diminishing rate of beneficial and pollinator insects is increasing rapidly. Environmental pollution, climate change, global warming, urbanization, industrialization and some natural calamities like wildfires add more fuel to the acceleration of insect decline all over the world. Alternative steps should be employed to replace the toxic pesticides and implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) should be put forward to reduce the overuse of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which have a great impact on beneficial insects as well as birds, aquatic organisms, and also on human health. The present study aims to create awareness among the researchers and general public by providing a brief review of insect importance, decline and conservation strategies.

Part of the book: Global Decline of Insects

By Muzafar Riyaz, Saqib Hassan and Gulzar Ahmed Rather

Nanotechnology: A promising field of advanced interdisciplinary research has unlocked an extensive range of scenarios in the sectors like agriculture, electronics, pharmacy, healthcare, pest management and much more. In agriculture, the potential uses and benefits of nanotechnology are enormous. With the use of Nanotechnology, the management of insect pests through the formulations of nanomaterial-based insecticides have changed the course of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Traditional strategies in Integrated Pest Management used in agriculture are insufficient and the application of chemical pesticides have caused adverse effects on animals, human health and the environment. With the utilization of nanotechnological approaches, the green and efficient alternatives would provide the management of insect pests without causing an impact on animals and the environment. The present study aims to focus on the management of insect pests utilizing modern nanotechnological approaches.

Part of the book: Insecticides