Evaluation of Environmental Effects of Applied Pesticides on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Fields in Fazel Abad Region, Ali Abad Katool County

IntroductionExcessive use of pesticides in agriculture creates many consequences for public health and environmental pollution. Numerous measures have been implemented in pest management and pesticide use to minimize the harmful effects of pesticide products. The Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) has been developed to quantify the risks of pesticides to humans and the environment. We can identify the most detrimental pesticides by measuring such a quotient and then enhancing society's biological health through replacing them with safer alternatives. The environmental effects of pesticide application by using that the environmental impact quotient were considered in this study. This study investigated the environmental effects of pesticides used in wheat and barley fields in Aliabad Katool county, Golestan province. Materials and MethodsThis study was conducted in wheat and barley fields in Fazel Abad of Ali Abad Katool County during 2021-2022. For this purpose, 22 wheat fields and 12 barley fields were randomly selected. The information related to pesticide spraying, field area, crop rotation and crop yields was collected from farmers as questionnaires. Then the amount of environmental effect of pesticides per hectare (EIQ-FUR) was obtained from the product of their EIQ value in the amount of effective substance and the consumption amount per hectare. Results and DiscussionAccording to the results of this study, the highest amount of damage to farm workers is in the group of herbicides related to Bromicide, in the group of insecticides related to Dursban, and in the group of fungicides to Altocombi, Raxil and Folicur determined. Also, Raxil, Folicur and Altocombi fungicides showed more damage to consumers and leaching risk. In addition, two insecticides, Diazinon and Dursban, were introduced as the most dangerous pesticides to environmental organisms. Also, Pumasuper, Altocombi, Folicur, and Raxil were known to be harmful pesticides on ecological components. In general, based on the EIQ index for each pesticide, Altocombi, Pumasuper, Dursban, Diazinon and Folicur were introduced as the most dangerous pesticides. Based on the EIQ index for each pesticide, Altokambi, Pumasuper, Dursaban and Folicor were introduced as the most dangerous pesticides in the fields. Considering the average consumption of pesticides per hectare and the amount of their effective substance in addition to the EIQ index, Inovor (18.48), Dursban (17.83), Bromicide (17.01), Diazinon (16.66), Malathion (13.68), 2,4-D (13.44), Bazagran (13.44) and Artea (13.25) were considered as dangerous pesticides in the region and therefore more planning should be done in using or replacing them. ConclusionThe classification of the environmental impact of pesticides used in the study area indicated that environmental damage was greater in wheat fields than in barley fields. Barley fields fell into the very low to low damage categories, while wheat fields were classified as having moderate damage. This suggests that wheat farmers relied more heavily on chemical pesticides. Considering the necessity of planning for the use of pesticides and informing farmers about the risks of consumption and paying attention to the use of low-damage pesticides, it is suggested that this index be calculated for all pesticides used in the region and the selection of pesticides in integrated pest management programs should be done according to this index. AcknowledgmentsWe would like to thank Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, wheat and barley farmers, and the Agricultural Jihad Management of Fazel Abad region, Ali Abad Katool county for their cooperation in conducting this research.