Introduction
You, as a farmer, have done so much to prepare your lands, sow your seeds, use organic fertilizer, and take care of your crops. However, after a couple of days, you see wilted plants, gummy residue on stems, or holes in leaves. Insects such as aphids, caterpillars, and whiteflies can cause crop loss and reduce yield.
In India, farmers often use pesticides to manage insects in crops such as cotton, rice, sugarcane, and vegetables, which helps to prevent crop damage and increase yields. An MDPI analysis found that 51.4% of all pesticides consumed in India are insecticides, making them a significant contributor to pesticide use. Insecticides are necessary for farmers because they safeguard crops against harmful insects. By using insecticides after understanding the damage to crops, farmers can protect their crops and get a better yield. It also allows for easy management of chewing insects, beetles, and caterpillars. It mostly involves restricting sucking insects like aphids and whiteflies.
In this blog, we'll understand various types of insecticides, how they work, how to use them properly, and the important signals that indicate it's time to take action against pests.
What are Insecticides?
Insecticides are chemical or natural solutions that are used by farmers to kill or control insects on crops. It is used in agriculture to safeguard crops, manage disease sources, and control harmful pests.
Insecticides are a part of a larger pesticide group (which includes weeds, fungi and insects) and insecticides only target insects.
Mainly, there are 2 ways insecticides work:
- It kills insects immediately on contact or after they eat plants.
- It restricts and affects the growth or the nervous system of insects, making them weak and restricting their reproduction.
Types of Insecticides in Agriculture
Insecticides can be divided based on composition and mode of action. Understanding the types and workflow of these insects helps in selecting the right insecticides for specific crop problems.
Let’s understand both categories in detail.
Based on the Mode of Action:
Based on this category, insecticides are categorized according to their effects on insects.
Contact Insecticides:
When insects come in close contact with these insecticides, they lose their lives. The insect does not need to eat the plant. Farmers usually spray these on the leaves and stems of crops. It is fast-acting and useful for visible pests like mealybugs and aphids.
- Farmers usually spray contact insecticides on stems and leaves.
- It is fast-acting and is beneficial when the pest is already visible on plants.
- These are most preferred against aphids, mealybugs, thrips, and mites.
Systemic Insecticides:
Systemic insecticides are pesticides that are taken up by the plant and distributed in the roots, stems and leaves. Insects that feed on the plant ingest the insecticide and die. The technique is particularly applicable in the management of pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs, which are hard to spray. Systemic insecticides offer long-term protection and can be used less frequently.
- These insecticides move within the plant and protect new leaves also, which are about to grow in the near future.
- It is a long-lasting solution used primarily as a preventive measure.
- These are best suited for sucking pests, such as whiteflies, jassids, and aphids.
Stomach Insecticides:
These insecticides work by killing insects that eat the treated part of a plant or crop. It is effective in controlling leaf-eating insects like caterpillars and beetles. Once ingested, this creates a negative impact on the digestive system.
- It is useful to control pests that chew or bite leaves and stems.
- It restricts the growth of caterpillars, beetles, armyworms, and borers.
Based on Chemical Composition:
Insecticides are also classified based on their ingredients.
Organic Insecticides:
These are made from various natural sources like neem, bacteria, and plant extracts. It is generally safer for the environment and other beneficial insects. Organic insecticides mainly work more slowly than synthetic ones, but are an ideal approach for organic farming.
Organic insecticides are:
- It is generally safer for the environment, soil, and water.
- It is gentle on beneficial insects, such as bees and ladybugs.
- It is usually slower in action but more sustainable in the long run.
Ideal for organic farming or for farmers who want to reduce chemical use. It helps in keeping nature balanced.
Synthetic Insecticides:
These are chemical-based insecticides manufactured in factories. They are potent, fast-acting, and effective against a wide range of pests. It may also harm the environment and should be used carefully to avoid resistance and harm to beneficial insects that pollinate crops.
- It acts faster than organic insecticides.
- It is often cheaper and widely available.
- It is strong and must be appropriately applied.
Improper and excessive use of synthetic insecticides can harm beneficial insects, reduce soil productivity, and lead to pesticide resistance. One should take precautions not to use label instructions and dosage guidelines.
Popular Insecticides Used By Indian Farmers
Farmers can use insecticides to overcome specific hurdles. Here are some commonly used insecticides that Indian farmers use to ensure healthy crops. Each has its role, processing duration, and target pests. It is advisable to consult with an agriculture expert before using them.
Imidacloprid 17.8% SL
It is a systemic insecticide, and it is applied against sucking pests such as aphids, jassids and whiteflies. It is effective against crops such as cotton, rice, and vegetables. Once applied, it travels through the plant and infects the pest once it sucks plant sap.
Thiamethoxam 25% WG
It is also a systemic insecticide, with its primary application in rice, sugarcane, and pulse crops. It kills pests in their early stage and secures the plant over a longer period. It works against hoppers and whiteflies.
Lambda Cyhalothrin 5% EC
It is a stomach insecticide and a contact poison. It is effective against several pests, including caterpillars, bollworms, and beetles. It is widely applied to cotton, rice, and vegetables.
Neem Oil 1500 ppm
Neem oil is an organic insecticide that is harmless to beneficial insects and human beings. It can be effective by preventing the reproduction and nourishment of pests. It is a common practice in vegetable farming and organic agriculture.
Emamectin Benzoate 5% SG
It is a strong stomach poison and an excellent insecticide for caterpillars and fruit borers. It is applied in cotton farming in the cultivation of okra and brinjal. It immobilizes the pests and stops further damage.
These insecticides are chosen based on the crop and the type of pest. Let’s now understand how to identify if your farm needs them.
How to Identify If Your Crops Need Insecticides
It is always advisable to know whether your crops require insecticides before applying them. Your farm does not have all harmful insects. There are beneficial insects, which comprise ladybugs, spiders, dragonflies, and honeybees. It is helpful as it consumes bad pests or assists in pollination, which raises the crop.
Insecticides can kill beneficial insects and create an imbalance in your farm if used unnecessarily. Therefore, you should use insecticides at the first signs of pest attacks only. The common signs are:
- Yellowing, curling, or drying of leaves with no cause whatsoever.
- Holes, small or large, in the fruit, stem, or leaves.
- Sticky fluid, white or black spots on the leaf surface.
- The plants look weak or wilted even when sufficient water is supplied.
- Pests seen on the plants include worms, aphids, whiteflies, and beetles.
Go out onto your farms frequently. In the case of a few plants being infected, you can pluck off the pests or naturally find a solution. Insecticides should be the last resort when the proliferation of pests has reached a very high rate and caused severe damage.
How to Apply Insecticides the Right Way?
Insecticides should be applied correctly to preserve your crops and not kill beneficial insects and destroy the environment. The following are some tips for the basics:
- Use and read labels and make sure you use the right dose. Do not use excessively.
- Apply with a clean, dedicated working sprayer evenly. Beware/watch for leakage before taking it.
- Spray during the early morning or late evening when there is not too much glaring sunlight.
- Ensuring that both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are covered. The pests usually go under leaves.
- Never spray in rain or when the wind is so violent, as this can dissolve the spray or blow it in the wrong direction.
Precautions Farmers Must Follow While Using Insecticides
Insecticides are substances prepared to eliminate pests, but these pollutants can also be harmful to humans, animals, and the environment unless managed appropriately. These safety measures must be observed at all times:
- When spraying, wear protective clothes like a mask, gloves, long sleeves, and shoes.
- Children, aged individuals, and animals should not be in the fields when the fields are being sprayed and after the spray.
- When using insecticides, you should not eat, drink, or smoke.
- It is essential to wash your clothes, as well as your hands and face, after spraying.
- Place insecticides in tightly capped containers where they can not be reached by food, water, and animal feed.
- Never fill up or refill insecticide containers that have been used. Dispose or destroy them as told by local agriculture officers.
By following these few steps, you will ensure that you safeguard your health and that of your family members, while also maintaining the quality of your farming land and produce.
Final Words for Farmers
Insecticides can be an effective way to protect your crops, but they must be used with care and responsibility. Surface monitoring of your farm, targeting pests effectively, and applying insecticides should be used when necessary.
It is essential to employ the most effective approach and types of insecticides to protect your crops. This can yield the best crop and leave your field in good condition to cultivate in the years to follow.
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