Pesticide use for cereal crops

The increases in crop yields throughout this century have been partly credited to pesticide technology. Pesticides have contributed greatly to increased agricultural productivity and crop quality.

While cereals command the highest share of the insecticide, per hectare application, level are the lowest. Pesticides are applied annually to the majority of the crops. One or more pesticides are used to control weeds and other pests of crops. Use of pesticide in corps is dependent on the disease and pest infestations and also type of crops grown.

Pesticides were seen both as a guarantee against crop failure and as a means of realizing the full potential yield of the crops. There is widespread acceptance that modern varieties of crops are much more prone to insect, pest and disease infestations.

Herbicide resistance is an increasing problem particularly on mainly cereal farms. Herbicide resistance is the inherited ability of a weed to survive rates of chemicals that normally control the weed. Technological change is dramatically reducing the need for pesticide use in cereal crop production systems.

Today, with improved host-plant resistance, improved crop management, and advances in integrated pest management, along with a reformed policy environment that is beginning to discourage the use of pesticide.
Pesticide use for cereal crops