Using pesticides to protect crops dates back thousands of years. Ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese and Romans used natural substances like sulfur, arsenic, and extracts from plants like beautiful pyrethrum flowers (picture above) [1].
Since the mid-20th century, chemists have learnt from nature and developed synthetic pesticides* with the same biological modes of action, but with enhanced performance, safety, selectivity, and integrated pest management practices. Scientists have also harnessed and improved naturally occurring microbial pesticides**.
* e.g. Phenylamide, triazole, strobilurin and carboxamide fungicides, as well as pyrethroid and neonicotinoid insecticides.
** e.g Avermectins, Spinosads, Bacillus thuringiensis |
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