An Overview of Pesticide Residue in Agricultural Soils

Abstract

Agriculture has become the main stay of most growing economies. This has given rise to changes in traditional farming methods. One of such change is in the use of pesticides.  Pesticides are substances used inside or outside to prevent, control, repel, or kill insects, plants, fungi, and other pests. Application of pesticides for agricultural production has risen to an alarming level particularly in developing countries often living behind residues which persists in the ecosystem. The mechanism of action of pesticide is aimed at killing pests or rendering them ineffective. However, they can also act upon unintended organisms, such as humans.  A number of health issues have been linked with pesticides in the environment.  It is against this background that the recent paper attempts to discuss pesticide residue in the soil with a view to providing guidance to pesticide users and policy makers. The paper focuses on classification of pesticides, fate of pesticides in the soil, degradation of pesticides, factors affecting levels of pesticide residue in the soil, health hazards associated with pesticides, present situation of pesticide residue in agricultural soil and way forward.

Keywords: Pesticides, Agricultural soil, Organochlorides, DDT, Health

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-4-02

Publication date: February 28^th 2022