pesticides Archives

Trifluoromethylpyridine: Its chemistry and applications

Written by

Tsukamoto and Nakamura study the chemistry of TFMP derivatives, which are used in the pharmaceutical industry and as chemical feedstock for pest control, fungicidal, and herbicidal agents.

Trifluoromethylpyridine (TFMP) and its intermediates are important ingredients for the development of agrochemical and pharmaceutical compounds. The presence of a fluorine atom and a carbon-containing pyridine are thought to bestow many of the distinctive physical–chemical properties observed with this class of compounds. Dr Masamitsu Tsukamoto and Mr Tadashi Nakamura, of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd, Japan, take a closer look at this […]

Investigating the biopesticide activity of guayule resin

Written by

A team of researchers focus on the development of guayale, a perennial shrub with silvery leaves, and its industrial exploitation in the realms of natural rubber and resins, which may have a dual use as a biopesticide thanks to the compounds guayulins and argentatins.

A team of researchers, led by Dr Manuel Carmona in the Institute for Regional Development at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, have unveiled recent discoveries about a unique plant called guayule. The silver-grey perennial shrub is an alternative source of natural rubber. Until now, guayule has not been commercially viable as its other co-products have not been considered to […]

Saving sweet oranges: Catching plant diseases before they act

Written by

Dealing with pests and disease is often the bane of a farmer’s life. Anything that causes plant damage or death has huge economic implications and many plant diseases are highly transmissible. However, disease can only be treated when it is detected, and that often means waiting for symptoms to appear. Dr Maria Fatima das Graças Fernandes da Silva at the […]

Strains of honeybee viruses provide intelligence in the battle against global bee extinction

Written by

The large-scale death of bees could culminate in an ecological and agricultural disaster. This may present as significantly reduced wild and domestic flora, as well as drastically reduced availability of various fruits, vegetables and nuts. There are several pressures on the global bee population, e.g., use of pesticides, destruction of habitat and infection with pathogen-carrying mites. Professor Ivan Toplak, an […]

Untangling cross resistance patterns in the brown planthopper
Using long-term monitoring of insecticide susceptibilities

Written by

In many countries, rice is a staple crop within people’s diets. There are many insect pests to rice. Of these pests, one of the most devastating to crops is the brown planthopper. Recently, in Asia, the brown planthopper has become resistant to various pesticides, including the frequently used imidacloprid. Dr Tomohisa Fujii from Kyushu Okinawa Agricultural Research Center, NARO and […]