Friday, January 6, 2012

Insecticides/Patents Dead Fish & Birds

How Long Ace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQvRoTpGmbQ&feature=related

http://www.patentgenius.com/image/6399861-20.html
Excerpt:



This invention relates to a reproducible system for the production of stable, genetically transformed maize cells, and to methods of selecting cells that have been transformed. One method of selection disclosed employs the Streptomyces bar gene introduced by microprojectile bombardment into embryogenic maize cells which were grown in suspension cultures, followed by exposure to the herbicide bialaphos. The methods of achieving stable transformation disclosed herein include tissue culture methods and media, methods for the bombardment of recipient cells with the desired transforming DNA, and methods of growing fertile plants from the transformed cells. This invention also relates to the transformed cells and seeds and to the fertile plants grown from the transformed cells and to their pollen.

http://www.ota.com/organic/environment/cotton_environment.html
Excerpts:
1) Cotton is considered the world's 'dirtiest' crop due to its heavy use of insecticides, the most hazardous pesticide to human and animal health. Cotton covers 2.5% of the world's cultivated land yet uses 16% of the world's insecticides, more than any other single major crop (1).

Aldicarb, parathion, and methamidopho, three of the most acutely hazardous insecticides to human health as determined by the World Health Organization, rank in the top ten most commonly used in cotton production. All but one of the remaining seven most commonly used are classified as moderately to highly hazardous (1).

Aldicarb, cotton's second best selling insecticide and most acutely poisonous to humans, can kill a man with just one drop absorbed through the skin, yet it is still used in 25 countries and the US, where 16 states have reported it in their groundwater (1).

2) The cottonseed hull, where many pesticide residues have been detected, is a secondary crop sold as a food commodity. It is estimated that as much as 65% of cotton production ends up in our food chain, whether directly through food oil or indirectly through the milk and meat of animals (1).Cottonseed and field trash is usually sold for animal feed. Studies in Brazil and Nicaragua have show traces of common cotton pesticides in cow milk, fueling concerns about chemical residues on the cottonseed (1).

The developing world is home to 99% of all cotton farmers and produces 75% of the world's total cotton, so it bears the brunt of cotton's environmental and health concerns (1).


http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/plantpath/extension/fact_sheets/Tobacco_-_Tomato_Spotted_Wilt_Virus.htm
Excerpt:
Pesticides
Thrips are able to transmit TSWV very quickly, and most of these virus-carrying thrips come from outside the tobacco field. Over-the-top insecticides do not kill these thrips quickly enough to stop the spread of the virus. This type of spraying has not been successful in reducing disease incidence. However, some disease suppression has been noted on imidachloropicrin-treated plants in Georgia and North Carolina. Therefore, applying Admire in the greenhouse to control aphids and other insect pests may help suppress TSWV.
The application of Actigard, alone or in combination with an insecticide, as a foliar spray (drench) to seedlings in the greenhouse shows promise for being an effective and economical management tactic. Most economically important TSWV infections apparently occur within the first week or two after transplanting; many may occur during the first few days. Thus, protection should be in place before transplanting. Application of any chemicals after the virus has infected the plant will be of little, if any, benefit. The best treatment in our studies averaged about 45 percent control.
Cultural PracticesField selection and the transplanting date do impact disease, but the effect of the transplanting date is not consistent enough from year to year to include in a management plan. TSW is most severe in early-planted fields in most years; but in some years late-planted tobacco is most affected. Generally, tobacco planted in the middle of the transplanting season is least affected. Removing infected plants does not prevent disease spread because infected thrips do not usually spread the virus from tobacco plant to tobacco plant.

http://www.syngentacropprotection.com/prodrender/index.aspx?prodid=644
Excerpt:
Highlights:
•Minimal impact on beneficial insects
•Activates plants for protection against a variety of pathogens
•Unique mode of action means resistance development is unlikely
•Designated by the EPA as a Reduced Risk Pesticide
•Low use rates

http://www.coffeehabitat.com/2006/12/pesticides_used_2/
Excerpt:

Pesticides used on coffee farms, part 3: Common pesticides

December 12, 2006
Even though many chemicals that have been found to be harmful to the environment have been banned or are strictly regulated in the U.S. or Europe, they remain legal to use in less-developed countries, including many countries that grow coffee.  This is troubling on many levels, beyond the fact that dangerous chemicals are being applied to crops.
For instance, workers in these countries may be less likely to be well-informed about the dangers of the chemicals, less likely to be provided with protective gear, and less informed about proper application methods (see this abstract, for example).  These regions are also much higher in biodiversity and ecosystem complexity, increasing the risk to the environment.
Here are just some of the more common chemicals used on coffee farms to control major pests and pathogens (which were described in a previous post).  I’ve included the World Health Organization classification, based on human risk.  Click on the link for more information.
Endosulfan (brand name Thiodan) — used against coffee cherry borer. (UPDATE:  As of early 2011, Endosulfan has now been slated to be banned globally, although it does not take place immediately). Does not dissolve readily (but does degrade) in water and sticks to soil particles, so may take years to completely break down. Its breakdown products are more persistent than parent compounds. It is toxic to mammals, birds, and fish. Effects the central nervous system, and in animals causes kidney, testes, and liver damage. Class II (moderately hazardous). Colombia has considered endosulfan worse than the coffee cherry borer. In that country, more than 100 human poisonings and one death were attributed to endosulfan use in coffee during 1993; more than 100 poisonings and three deaths were reported in 1994.  Here is an article on growing coffee without endosulfan.
Chlorpyrifos (brand name Dursban). A broad spectrum organophosphate used against coffee cherry borer and coffee leaf miner. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency banned most household uses in 2000.  It is a contact poison.  It has caused human deaths, and has been linked to birth defects. It is extremely toxic to birds, freshwater and marine organisms, bees, and other wildlife.  It can bioaccumulate and effect bird reproduction. Class II. A recent report on exposure and risks (especially to children) of chlorpyrifos from the Organic Center is here.
Diazinon (brand name Basudin). Used against coffee borer. Not very toxic to mammals unless inhaled, it is nonetheless highly toxic to wildlife and beneficial insects, and acutely toxic to birds.  In the U.S. where it is still commonly used on turfgrass, diazinon has caused the second largest number of total known incidents of bird mortality of any pesticide. Class II. Another profile here.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/05/dead-birds-fall-from-sky-_n_804591.html
Excerpt:

Dead Birds Fall From Sky In Sweden, Millions Of Dead Fish Found In Maryland, Brazil, New Zealand

The Huffington Post   First Posted: 1/5/11 09:11 AM ET Updated: 10/1/11 05:34 PM ET
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