Introduction: Crop Protection

Introduction:

The use of agricultural chemicals in developing countries will continue to grow because of the economic advantages that they bring Agricultural chemicals are used to increase both the level of production and maintain the quality of the final product.  Agricultural chemicals include pesticides, fertilizers and other chemical products such as cleaning agents. Care must be taken when selecting and using agricultural chemicals as any movement of the chemical away from the target reduces the efficacy of the chemical and may cause damage to the environment. For a pesticide is to work properly it must be applied correctly at the right stage of development of the pest.  Insecticides must be applied to maximize, directly or indirectly, the uptake of the pesticide by the insect. Herbicides are most effective when good spray coverage is obtained on small, unstressed weeds.

To attain this effectiveness, care needs to be taken to:

• select the most appropriate target
• choose the best means of  application
• use sufficient water volume of an acceptable quality
• spray when environmental conditions are suitable.