A detailed guide to the basics of safe pesticide use: scientific application for greater peace of mind

The safety of pesticide application is of vital importance. Pesticide damage occurs frequently in agricultural production, and the causes are relatively complex. Apart from the safety of the pesticide itself, many cases are caused by improper use, such as excessively high concentrations, applying pesticide under high temperatures, or applying pesticide during the flowering period, all of which can cause pesticide damage.

Rational pesticide selection

1. Select the appropriate pesticide according to the target pest to be controlled.

2. Give priority to pesticides with high efficiency, low toxicity and low residues. Give priority to biological pesticides, and resolutely do not use pesticides explicitly banned by the state.

3. Choose environmentally friendly formulation products such as aqueous emulsions, microemulsions and water-soluble granules.

Safe preparation

1. Use the correct dosage. Use according to the requirements of the plant protection department or the dosage recommended on the pesticide label. Do not mix pesticides at will, or arbitrarily increase the dosage.

2. Use the “two-step method” to dilute pesticides. For pesticides diluted with water: first use a small amount of water to dilute the pesticide into a “mother liquor”, then dilute the “mother liquor” to the required concentration; for pesticides applied by mixing with soil, sand, etc.: first use a small amount of diluent carrier (fine soil, fine sand, solid fertilizer, etc.) to evenly dilute the pesticide formulation into a “mother powder”, then dilute it to the required amount.

Scientific use

1. Apply at the appropriate time. Use within the appropriate control period according to the occurrence period of diseases and pests and the characteristics of the pesticide's action.

2. Use sufficient water. When applying pesticides, some farmer friends often add more pesticide and use less water in order to reduce workload, resulting in uneven application, poor control efficacy, and enhanced resistance of pathogens and pests; exceeding the safe concentration can also cause pesticide damage.

3. Choose application equipment with good performance. Choose equipment produced by legitimate manufacturers, and regularly replace worn nozzles.

4. Pay attention to rotating pesticides. Inhibit resistance.

5. Add high-efficiency adjuvants: such as vegetable oil adjuvants and silicone adjuvants, which can effectively improve efficacy and reduce the amount of chemical pesticides used.

6. Strictly observe the pre-harvest interval regulations. The pesticide pre-harvest interval refers to the number of days from the last application to crop harvest, that is, the number of days during which pesticide use is prohibited before harvest. In actual production, the time from the last spraying to the harvest of the crop (product) should be longer than the pre-harvest interval specified on the label. To ensure that agricultural product residues do not exceed standards, harvesting is not allowed during the pre-harvest interval.

Safety protection

1. Applicators should be in good health, have received training, and possess certain plant protection knowledge. The elderly, the infirm, children, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding must not apply pesticides.

2. Before application, check whether the application equipment is intact, and do not fill the sprayer tank too full with the pesticide solution during application.

3. Wear protective equipment. Such as gloves, masks, protective clothing, etc., to prevent pesticides from entering the eyes, contacting the skin, or being inhaled into the body.

4. Pay attention to safety during application. Do not apply pesticides in rain, strong wind or high temperature weather; in the high-temperature season, apply after 4 p.m. when the temperature drops, so as not to affect efficacy and safety; always apply from an upwind position and do not apply against the wind; eating, drinking and smoking are not allowed during application; do not use your mouth to blow through a clogged nozzle.

5. Master knowledge of poisoning first aid. If pesticide splashes into the eyes or onto the skin, immediately rinse with plenty of clean water; if symptoms of poisoning such as headache, nausea and vomiting appear, immediately stop working, take off contaminated clothing, and bring the pesticide label to the nearest hospital for treatment.

6. Correctly clean application equipment. Application equipment should be washed clean after each use. Do not wash it in rivers, streams or beside wells, so as to avoid polluting water sources. Discarded pesticide packaging must never be used for other purposes and must not be discarded randomly; it should be stored in a centralized place and properly handled.

Safe storage

1. Minimize the amount stored and the storage time as much as possible.

2. Store in a safe and suitable place. Pesticides should not be placed near or mixed with food, grain or feed. Do not store them together with seeds.

3. Stored pesticide packaging should have complete, firm and clear labels.