IMPACTO AMBIENTAL POR USO DE PLAGUICIDAS Y SUSTENTABILIDAD DEL SISTEMA PRODUCTIVO DEL MAÍZ AMARILLO DURO EN HUAURA, PERÚ

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Hard yellow maize (MAD) is one of the main crops in economic, social and environmental terms worldwide, however, it is managed through conventional agriculture which entails a high dependence on agrochemical inputs, which cause a negative impact on the agroecosystem and through this study it will be possible to identify the critical points and establish solutions for them. <strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the coefficient of environmental impact of pesticides in the field and find the general sustainability index of the MAD production units. <strong>Objective:</strong> Determine the coefficient of environmental impact of pesticides in the field and find the general sustainability index of the MAD production units. <strong>Methodology:</strong> The environmental impact (EI ha<sup>-1</sup>) of pesticides in the field was evaluated by calculating the environmental impact coefficient (EIQ), concentration of the active ingredient, dose and number of applications. In addition, sustainability was determined through multicriteria analysis by applying 85 questionnaires with structured questions to farmers whose main activity is MAD, with economic, social and environmental indicators standardized on a scale of 1 to 5. <strong>Results:</strong> The study showed that the EI ha<sup>-1</sup> of MAD was 105.11 rated as high, which generates a negative impact on the environment and a high risk for farmers who apply these pesticides. It was also found that the sustainability index of the social and economic dimensions was 3.56 and 3.18 respectively, while the environmental index (2.64) obtained a value below the minimum sustainable threshold, therefore the MAD production system in Huaura is not sustainable. The analysis found the critical points: levels and types of fertilization (2.74), incorporation of organic matter (2.33), crop residue management (1.51), living barriers (1.36), pest control method (2.49), frequency of pesticide applications (2.53), irrigation system (2.54), level of education (2.96), quality of technical assistance and training (2.8), income from other activities (2.9) and marketing channel (1.82). <strong>Implications:</strong> Timely intervention on critical points allows establishing solution options and improving pesticide management.<strong> Conclusion: </strong>The study showed that the IE ha<sup>-1</sup> of MAD was high, indicating that the pesticides used for chemical pest and disease control generate a negative impact on the environment and a high risk for farmers who apply these pesticides. Likewise, it was found that the MAD production system is not sustainable. Therefore, the identification of the critical points allows the establishment of strategies to strengthen the MAD agroecosystem in Huaura, Peru.</p>