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However, the use of herbicides can cause phytotoxic effects on non-targeted plants through wind-blown spray drift or from the use of herbicide-contaminated material (such as straw or manure) being applied to the soil. [5] Herbicides can also cause phytotoxicity in crops if applied incorrectly, in the wrong stage of crop growth, or in excess. [1]
Pesticides, because they are toxic chemicals meant to kill pest species, can affect non-target species, such as plants, animals and humans. Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of herbicides reach a destination other than their target species, because they are sprayed or spread across entire agricultural fields. [1]
Herbicidal warfare is the use of substances primarily designed to destroy the plant-based ecosystem of an area. Although herbicidal warfare use chemical substances, its main purpose is to disrupt agricultural food production and/or to destroy plants which provide cover or concealment to the enemy, not to asphyxiate or poison humans and/or destroy human-made structures.
An obvious side effect of using a chemical meant to kill is that one is likely to kill more than just the desired organism. Contact with a sprayed plant or "weed" can have an effect upon local wildlife, most notably insects. A cause for concern is how pests, the reason for pesticide use, are building up a resistance.
The herbicide is meant to kill nonnative plants such as hyacinth, South American spongeplant, Uruguay water primrose, Alligator weed, Brazilian waterweed, curlyleaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil ...
Health effects of pesticides may be acute or delayed in those who are exposed. [1] Acute effects can include pesticide poisoning, which may be a medical emergency. [2] Strong evidence exists for other, long-term negative health outcomes from pesticide exposure including birth defects, fetal death, [3] neurodevelopmental disorder, [4] cancer, and neurologic illness including Parkinson's disease ...
The effects of pesticides at high concentrations on human health is a thus a matter of much study, resulting in many publications on the toxicology of pesticides. However the maximum residue limits of pesticides in food are low, and are carefully set by the authorities to ensure, to their best judgement, no health impacts.
One major complication to the use of herbicides for weed control is the ability of plants to evolve herbicide resistance, rendering the herbicides ineffective against target plants. Out of 31 known herbicide modes of action, weeds have evolved resistance to 21. 268 plant species are known to have evolved herbicide resistance at least once. [ 59 ]