Pesticide Use in California: Benefits and Trends Leonard P. Gianessi
Data Sources Benefits- CropLife Foundation Reports Herbicides- 23, Updated 26 Fungicides- 25 Insecticides- For Release, June 28 Fumigants- Ongoing Growth Regulators- Ongoing Use Trends- Cal DPR 199-26
CALDPR Data Project State-Level Treatments 4 Crops Categories Herbicides Insecticides Fungicides Fumigants Growth Regulators
Preliminary Crop Analysis Walnuts Kiwi Rice Pistachios Asparagus Lettuce Carrots Garlic Dates Olives Celery Strawberries
Walnut Blight: California Production losses of 5% in the early 19 s. Copper sprays became standard practice in the 194 s.
WALNUTS: Fungicide Use, Walnut Blight 4 35 3 25 Treatm ents 2 COPPER 15 1 Total s 5 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
4 WALNUTS: Fungicide Use, Walnut Blight 35 3 25 Treatm ents 2 15 1 COPPER MANEB Total s 5 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Rice Blast Disease: California First found in the state in 1996. Fungicides prevent yield losses of 15-3%. Rice Blast Spores
RICE: Fungicide Use, Blast 6 5 4 Treatm ents 3 AZOXYSTROBIN 2 Total s 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Garlic: Rust Untreated Fungicide Treated First Discovered in California in 1998.
12 GARLIC: Fungicide Use 1 Treatments 8 6 Fungicide Use Total s 4 2 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
5 GARLIC: Fungicide Use, Rust 4 AZOXYSTROBIN CHLOROTHALONIL Treatments 3 2 MANCOZEB MEFENOXAM METALAXYL PYRACLOSTROBIN SULFUR 1 TEBUCONAZOLE 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Carrots: Cavity Spot Fungal Infection Infected Carrots Unacceptable for Fresh Market Entire Fields have been Abandoned
CARROT: Fungicide Use, Cavity Spot 12 1 Treatments 8 6 METALAXYL Total s 4 2 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
CARROT: Fungicide Use, Cavity Spot 12 1 8 Treatments 6 MEFENOXAM METALAXYL Total s 4 2 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Pistachios Healthy Panicle & Shoot Blight
225 PISTACHIOS: Fungicide Use, Panicle & Shoot Blight/Alternaria 2 175 15 125 Treatments 1 Fungicide Use Total s 75 5 25 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
9 8 7 PISTACHIOS: Fungicide Use, Panicle & Shoot Blight/Alternaria AZOXYSTROBIN BENOMYL BOSCALID 6 COPPER 5 Treatments 4 3 2 1 IPRODIONE PYRACLOSTROBIN TEBUCONAZOLE THIOPHANATE- METHYL TRIFLOXYSTROBIN 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
9 PISTACHIOS: Fungicide Use, Panicle & Shoot Blight/Alternaria 8 7 BENOMYL 6 5 Treatments 4 3 COPPER 2 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
9 PISTACHIOS: Fungicide Use, Panicle & Shoot Blight/Alternaria 8 7 BENOMYL 6 5 Treatments 4 COPPER 3 2 IPRODIONE 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
9 PISTACHIOS: Fungicide Use, Panicle & Shoot Blight/Alternaria 8 BENOMYL 7 6 5 Treatments 4 COPPER IPRODIONE 3 2 TEBUCONAZOLE 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
9 PISTACHIOS: Fungicide Use, Panicle & Shoot Blight/Alternaria 8 AZOXYSTROBIN 7 6 BENOMYL 5 Treatments 4 3 COPPER IPRODIONE 2 1 TEBUCONAZOLE 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
9 PISTACHIOS: Fungicide Use, Panicle & Shoot Blight/Alternaria 8 AZOXYSTROBIN 7 BENOMYL 6 5 Treatments 4 COPPER IPRODIONE 3 PYRACLOSTROBIN 2 1 TEBUCONAZOLE 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
9 PISTACHIOS: Fungicide Use, Panicle & Shoot Blight/Alternaria 8 AZOXYSTROBIN 7 BENOMYL 6 BOSCALID 5 Treatments 4 3 2 1 COPPER IPRODIONE PYRACLOSTROBIN TEBUCONAZOLE 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
9 PISTACHIOS: Fungicide Use, Panicle & Shoot Blight/Alternaria 8 7 6 5 Treatments 4 3 2 1 AZOXYSTROBIN BENOMYL BOSCALID COPPER IPRODIONE PYRACLOSTROBIN TEBUCONAZOLE THIOPHANATE- METHYL 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
9 8 7 PISTACHIOS: Fungicide Use, Panicle & Shoot Blight/Alternaria AZOXYSTROBIN BENOMYL BOSCALID 6 COPPER 5 Treatments 4 3 2 1 IPRODIONE PYRACLOSTROBIN TEBUCONAZOLE THIOPHANATE- METHYL TRIFLOXYSTROBIN 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
OLIVES: Insecticide Use 12 11 1 CARBARYL 9 Treatm ents 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 METHIDATHION PETROLEUM OIL Total s 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Olive Fruit Fly First noticed - 1998 Very few natural enemies in Europe or U.S.
OLIVES: Insecticide Use 12 11 1 9 8 CARBARYL METHIDATHION Treatm ents 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 PETROLEUM OIL SPINOSAD Total s 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
RICE: Insecticide Use, Rice Water Weevil 6 5 Treatm ents 4 CARBOFURAN 3 2 Total s 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
RICE: Insecticide Use, Rice Water Weevil 6 5 (S)- CYPERMETHRIN 4 Treatm ents 3 CARBOFURAN DIFLUBENZURON 2 LAMBDA- CYHALOTHRIN 1 Total s 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
RICE: Herbicide Use 15 125 1 Treatm ents 75 5 Herbicide Use Total s 25 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
425 RICE: Herbicide Use 4 Tre atments 375 35 325 3 275 25 225 2 175 15 125 1 75 5 25 2,4-D BENSULFURON BISPYRIBAC CARFENTRAZONE CLOMAZONE CYHALOFOP FENOXAPROP GLYPHOSATE MCPA MOLINATE PROPANIL THIOBENCARB TRICLOPYR 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
425 RICE: Herbicide Use 4 375 35 325 3 BENSULFURON Tre atments 275 25 225 2 175 15 125 1 MOLINATE 75 5 25 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
425 RICE: Herbicide Use 4 375 35 325 2,4-D 3 275 25 BENSULFURON Tre atments 225 2 175 15 MCPA 125 1 75 5 MOLINATE 25 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
425 RICE: Herbicide Use 4 375 35 2,4-D 325 3 275 BENSULFURON 25 Tre atments 225 2 MCPA 175 15 125 MOLINATE 1 75 5 THIOBENCARB 25 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
425 RICE: Herbicide Use 4 375 35 2,4-D 325 3 BENSULFURON 275 Tre atments 25 225 2 175 MCPA MOLINATE 15 125 1 75 5 PROPANIL THIOBENCARB 25 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
425 RICE: Herbicide Use 4 Tre atments 375 35 325 3 275 25 225 2 175 15 125 1 2,4-D BENSULFURON MCPA MOLINATE PROPANIL THIOBENCARB 75 5 TRICLOPYR 25 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
425 RICE: Herbicide Use 4 Tre atments 375 35 325 3 275 25 225 2 175 15 125 1 75 5 2,4-D BENSULFURON CYHALOFOP MCPA MOLINATE PROPANIL THIOBENCARB TRICLOPYR 25 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
425 RICE: Herbicide Use 4 Tre atments 375 35 325 3 275 25 225 2 175 15 125 1 75 5 25 2,4-D BENSULFURON BISPYRIBAC CYHALOFOP MCPA MOLINATE PROPANIL THIOBENCARB TRICLOPYR 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
425 RICE: Herbicide Use 4 Tre atments 375 35 325 3 275 25 225 2 175 15 125 1 75 5 25 2,4-D BENSULFURON BISPYRIBAC CLOMAZONE CYHALOFOP MCPA MOLINATE PROPANIL THIOBENCARB TRICLOPYR 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
425 RICE: Herbicide Use 4 Tre atments 375 35 325 3 275 25 225 2 175 15 125 1 75 5 25 2,4-D BENSULFURON BISPYRIBAC CARFENTRAZONE CLOMAZONE CYHALOFOP MCPA MOLINATE PROPANIL THIOBENCARB TRICLOPYR 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
425 RICE: Herbicide Use 4 Tre atments 375 35 325 3 275 25 225 2 175 15 125 1 75 5 25 2,4-D BENSULFURON BISPYRIBAC CARFENTRAZONE CLOMAZONE CYHALOFOP GLYPHOSATE MCPA MOLINATE PROPANIL THIOBENCARB TRICLOPYR 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
425 RICE: Herbicide Use 4 Tre atments 375 35 325 3 275 25 225 2 175 15 125 1 75 5 25 2,4-D BENSULFURON BISPYRIBAC CARFENTRAZONE CLOMAZONE CYHALOFOP FENOXAPROP GLYPHOSATE MCPA MOLINATE PROPANIL THIOBENCARB TRICLOPYR 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Unfumigated Carrots: Nematode Damage 25% Yield Loss w/o Fumigant Use Field May be Abandoned USDA
1 CARROT Fumigant Use 9 8 7 6 Treatments 5 1,3-D 4 Total s 3 2 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
1 CARROT Fumigant Use 9 8 7 6 Treatments 5 4 3 1,3-D CHLOROPICRIN METHYL BROMIDE Total s 2 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
1 CARROT Fumigant Use 9 8 7 6 Treatments 5 4 3 1,3-D CHLOROPICRIN METAM- SODIUM METHYL BROMIDE Total s 2 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Herbicide Experiment 196s Carrots: Linuron Treated Untreated
CARROT Herbicide Use 1 9 8 7 6 Treatments 5 4 3 LINURON TRIFLURALIN FLUAZIFOP CLETHODIM Total s 2 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Asparagus Harvest: California Asparagus is a perennial plant producing spears for 15-2 years.
U.S. Fresh Asparagus Market 16 14 12 1 Thousand Metric Tons 8 Exports Imports Production 6 Consumption 4 2 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2 21 22 23 24
Costs & Returns to Produce Asparagus, California (27) 55 5 45 4 35 $/ 3 25 2 15 1 5 Pesticide Costs Other Costs Labor Costs Total Costs Returns
Asparagus: Fungicide Use, Rust 4 35 3 25 Treatments 2 Fungicide Use Total s 15 1 5 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Asparagus: Fungicide Use, Crown & Spear Rot 4 35 3 Treatments 25 2 Fungicide Use Total s 15 1 5 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Asparagus: Insecticide Use, Aphid 6 55 5 45 Organophosphates 4 Treatments 35 3 25 2 Insecticide Use Total s 15 1 5 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Asparagus: Herbicide Use 9 8 7 6 5 Treatments 4 Herbicide Use Total s 3 2 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Weedy Asparagus: California Without weed control, it is difficult to harvest. Workers will not enter weedy fields.
PISTACHIOS: Sulfur Use, Mite Control 12 11 1 9 Treatments 8 7 6 5 SULFUR Total s 4 3 2 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
PISTACHIOS: Soil Residual Herbicide Use 13 12 11 1 9 Treatments 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ORYZALIN OXYFLUORFEN Total s 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
PISTACHIOS: Glyphosate Use 25 225 2 175 15 GLYPHOSATE 125 Treatments 1 Total s 75 5 25 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Pistachio Herbicides $/ Oxyfluorfen 14 Oryzalin 22 Glyphosate 2 Hembree & Beede
35 PISTACHIOS: Navel Orangeworm Insecticide Use 3 25 2 Treatments 15 Insecticide Use Total s 1 5 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
PISTACHIOS: Navel Orangeworm Insecticide Use 24 22 2 18 16 Treatments 14 12 CARBARYL 1 8 6 4 2 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
PISTACHIOS: Navel Orangeworm Insecticide Use 24 22 2 18 Treatments 16 14 12 AZINPHOS-METHYL 1 8 CARBARYL 6 4 2 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
PISTACHIOS: Navel Orangeworm Insecticide Use 24 22 2 Treatments 18 16 14 12 AZINPHOS-METHYL CARBARYL 1 8 6 PHOSMET 4 2 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
PISTACHIOS: Navel Orangeworm Insecticide Use 24 22 2 Treatments 18 16 14 12 1 8 6 AZINPHOS-METHYL CARBARYL PHOSMET SPINOSAD 4 2 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
PISTACHIOS: Navel Orangeworm Insecticide Use 24 22 2 Treatments 18 16 14 12 1 8 6 AZINPHOS-METHYL CARBARYL METHOXYFENOZIDE PHOSMET SPINOSAD 4 2 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
PISTACHIOS: Navel Orangeworm Insecticide Use 24 22 2 Treatments 18 16 14 12 1 8 6 AZINPHOS-METHYL CARBARYL METHOXYFENOZIDE PERMETHRIN PHOSMET SPINOSAD 4 2 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Celery: Pink Rot Yield decline of 1-15% without soil treatment.
CELERY: Fungicide Use, Pink Rot 7 6 DICLORAN 5 4 Treatments 3 2 Total s 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Bacterial Blight of Celery This disease organism infects only celery.
CELERY: Fungicide Use, Bacterial Blight 7 6 COPPER 5 4 Treatments 3 2 Total s 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Celery: Late Blight 5 million spores can be produced on a single celery plant.
14 CELERY: Fungicide Use, Late Blight 12 1 Total Fungicide Use Treatments 8 6 4 Total s 2 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
7 CELERY: Fungicide Use, Late Blight 6 ANILAZINE 5 BENOMYL 4 Treatments 3 THIOPHANATE- METHYL 2 Total s 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
7 CELERY: Fungicide Use, Late Blight 6 ANILAZINE 5 BENOMYL Treatments 4 3 CHLOROTHALONIL THIOPHANATE- METHYL 2 Total s 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
7 CELERY: Fungicide Use, Late Blight 6 ANILAZINE 5 BENOMYL 4 Treatments 3 CHLOROTHALONIL PROPICONAZOLE 2 THIOPHANATE- METHYL Total s 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
7 CELERY: Fungicide Use, Late Blight ANILAZINE 6 AZOXYSTROBIN 5 BENOMYL CHLOROTHALONIL 4 Treatments 3 2 PROPICONAZOLE PYRACLOSTROBIN THIOPHANATE- METHYL TRIFLOXYSTROBIN 1 Total s 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Lettuce Downy Mildew Plant resistance to Downy Mildew broke down in the early 199 s.
LETTUCE, HEAD: Fungicides, Downy Mildew 35 3 COPPER 25 FOSETYL-AL Treatments 2 15 MANEB METALAXYL 1 Total s 5 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
LETTUCE, HEAD: Fungicides, Downy Mildew 35 3 COPPER 25 FOSETYL-AL Treatments 2 15 MANEB METALAXYL 1 Total s 5 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
LETTUCE, HEAD: Fungicides, Downy Mildew 35 3 COPPER 25 FOSETYL-AL Treatments 2 15 MANEB MEFENOXAM METALAXYL 1 Total s 5 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
LETTUCE, HEAD: Fungicides, Downy Mildew 35 3 25 COPPER CYMOXANIL/ FAMOXADONE DIMETHOMORPH FOSETYL-AL Treatments 2 15 1 MANEB MEFENOXAM METALAXYL FENAMIDONE ACIBENZOLAR Total s 5 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
Lettuce Drop Disease incidence can be as high as 7% in some fields.
LETTUCE HEAD: Fungicide Use, Lettuce Drop 18 16 14 Total s 12 1 Treatments 8 Total Fungicide Use 6 4 2 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
LETTUCE HEAD: Fungicide Use, Lettuce Drop 18 16 BOSCALID 14 12 DICLORAN 1 Treatments 8 IPRODIONE VINCLOZOLIN 6 Total s 4 2 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
3 Strawberry Yields 25 2 Tons/ 15 1 5 1949 1954 1959 1964 1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999
STRAWBERRY: age 4 35 3 25 s 2 Total s 15 1 5 1998 1999 2 21 22 23 24 25 26
STRAWBERRY: Fumigant Use 4 35 3 25 METHYL BROMIDE Treatments 2 Total s 15 1 5 1998 1999 2 21 22 23 24 25 26
STRAWBERRY: Fumigant Use 4 35 3 25 CHLOROPICRIN Treatments 2 15 METHYL BROMIDE Total s 1 5 1998 1999 2 21 22 23 24 25 26
STRAWBERRY: Fumigant Use 4 35 3 1,3-D 25 CHLOROPICRIN Treatments 2 15 METAM- SODIUM METHYL BROMIDE Total s 1 5 1998 1999 2 21 22 23 24 25 26
Strawberries: Gray Mold (Botrytis Fruit Rot) The fungus infests 1% of strawberry acreage.
STRAWBERRY: Fungicide Use, Botrytis Fruit Rot 2 18 IPRODIONE 16 14 BENOMYL 12 Treatments 1 ANILAZINE 8 6 VINCLOZOLIN 4 2 Total s 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
STRAWBERRY: Fungicide Use, Botrytis Fruit Rot 2 18 IPRODIONE 16 THIRAM 14 12 Treatments 1 THIOPHANATE- METHYL BENOMYL 8 ANILAZINE 6 4 VINCLOZOLIN 2 Total s 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
STRAWBERRY: Fungicide Use, Botrytis Fruit Rot 2 IPRODIONE 18 THIRAM 16 14 THIOPHANATE- METHYL FENHEXAMID 12 Treatments 1 8 6 4 2 CYPRODINIL/ FLUDIOXONIL PYRIMETHANIL BENOMYL BOSCALID ANILAZINE VINCLOZOLIN Total s 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
STRAWBERRY: Fungicide Use, Botrytis Fruit Rot 2 IPRODIONE 18 THIRAM 16 14 12 Treatments 1 CAPTAN THIOPHANATE- METHYL FENHEXAMID CYPRODINIL/ FLUDIOXONIL PYRIMETHANIL 8 BENOMYL 6 4 2 BOSCALID ANILAZINE VINCLOZOLIN Total s 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
WALNUTS: Growth Regulator Use 25 2 15 Treatm ents 1 Ethephon Total s 5 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
WALNUTS: Growth Regulator Use 25 2 15 Treatm ents 1 Ethephon Total s 5 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26 ($2/Treatment)
Walnuts: Growth Regulator Use Ethephon application advances harvest by 1-14 days. Early harvest avoids the need for final insecticide spray. Early harvest improves the quality of walnuts.
Kiwi: Growth Regulator Use 5% of the 1996 crop went unharvested due to small size. Research demonstrated that hydrogen cyanamide produces a uniform crop with larger sizes.
KIWI: Growth Regulator Use 8 7 6 5 Treatments 4 Hydrogen Cyanamide Total s 3 2 1 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
DATES: Miticide Use 15 135 12 15 9 75 Treatm ents 6 SULFUR Total s 45 3 15 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
DATES: Miticide Use 15 135 12 15 9 HEXYTHIAZOX Treatments 75 6 45 SULFUR Total s 3 15 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26
California Pesticide Trends Factors 199-26 Public Policy Section 18 s FQPA Water Quality Protection Methyl Bromide Phaseout OP Replacement Policy Biopesticide Registrations Non-Chemical Control Research
California Pesticide Trends Factors 199-26 Industry Developments Generics Product Price Changes New Active Ingredients Biotech Crops Nature New Pests Weather Changes Pest Resistance Crop Prices
Q: Has pesticide use increased or decreased in California?
Q: Has pesticide use increased or decreased in California? A: Yes.
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