Pesticides used on the cultivation of Brassica oleracae var capitata L. (cabbage) in the Niayes area (Senegal): Impact on the environment and the health of producers

Abstract

The Niayes area, by its climate and its morpho-pedology, is a favorite area for market gardening in Senegal. For vegetables, it is accredited to more than 60% of harvests. Among the cultivated speculations is the cabbage (Brassica oleracae var capitata L.). With a view to alleviating the negative effect of pests, a variety of pesticides are used by producers. This study was undertaken with a view to contribute to a better knowledge of the pesticides used in the production of Cabbage (Brassica Oleracea) in the Niayes. Specifically, it aims to characterize the pesticides used in the area and to determine their impacts on the environment and the health of producers. To carry out this study, a survey was carried out among 163 cabbage producers in the Niayes area (Mboro and Diogo) from February 06 to March 03, 2018. The data entry and processing of the results were made thanks to the Epi info software and Excel spreadsheet. The results showed that 87.1% of producers use chemicals. At the end of this study, 24 active ingredients, mainly comprising four (4) major chemical families, were identified. The most widely used pesticides are insecticides, insecticides-acaricides-nematicides and herbicides with respectively 56%, 12% and 11% of citations. Profenofos is the most cited active ingredient with 21.1% followed by emamectin benzoate with 14%, pendiimathalin (12%) and carbofuran (11%). In addition, Organophosphates and Amino-Phosphates are the most representative chemical families with 48% and 15% citations, respectively. Among the producers; 85.9% have already suffered from poisoning from the use of pesticides. 43% of producers reported the death of insects and other animals as a result of the treatments.