Environmental and Economic Impacts of Reducing U.S. Agricultural Pesticide Use

Abstract

19%, onion 21 and 4%, cucumber 15 and 21%, pea 23 and 4%, and pepper 14 and 7%. Losses in greenhouse lettuce, cucumber and tomato are similar, but pest damage may necessitate replanting the whole crop. Until resistant cultivars of tomato became available, this was regularly the case with fusarium crown and root rot. Post-harvest losses-Reduced yield and quality from pest damage in the field may be equalled or exceeded by losses in storage. This is especially the case where freshly harvested produce is not rapidly cooled or where it is not transported and stored under controlled conditions. For example, it is not unusual to see truckloads of perishable vegetables parked on farms, at roadside truck-stops and at food terminals rapidly deteriorating in the full summer sun. Similarly, attempts to dry onions in primitive storages with humid air frequently result in wetter, not drier, onions in production areas of the Great Lakes region. Such crops are often destroyed by diseases, such as neck rot and sour skin. Poorly stored carrot, potato and cabbage crops also are subject to substantial losses. Selected references Kim, S.H., L.B. Forer, and J.L. Longnecker. 1975. Recovery of plant pathogens from commercial peat-products.