ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ESTIMATION OF PESTICIDES APPLIED BY WINE GROWERS IN MENDOZA ESTIMACIÓN DEL IMPACTO AMBIENTAL DE LOS PLAGUICIDAS APLICADOS POR VITICULTORES MENDOCINOS

MENDOZA, Graciela*; VAN DEN BOSCH, María Eugenia; BECERRA, Violeta; SANCHEZ, Jésica INTA EEA Mendoza, San Martín 3853, Luján de Cuyo (5507), Mendoza, Argentina *Corresponding author: mendoza.graciela@inta.gob.ar

Abstract: Pesticides in agriculture may cause undesirable effects on the environment. In Mendoza, these products are sprayed mainly for the control of Lobesia botrana and fungal diseases. The impact on agricultural environment may differ depending on the crop protection strategies. Application timing and doses of pesticides were investigated in northern oasis vineyards. For non-organic farmer a random sampled were taken and the whole organic and biodynamic farmers were surveyed. The environmental impact quotient (EIQ) was used in order to estimate the pesticide exposure of each strategy. This index evaluates the farmworker, the consumer and the ecological components. Protection strategies showed EIQ value less than 1500, whereas EIQ values under 600 were more often. Sulfur and copper fungicides, in particular copper sulphate, had the highest EIQ. Chlorpyrifos showed the highest EIQ within insecticides. Although this index was lower than the fungicides mentioned. Glyphosate was ranked in the top of the herbicides group. The index values showed a high dependence on the doses used per hectare, according to the pesticides toxicities.

Keywords: pest management, index, pesticide, environmental impact, vineyard.
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