Scientists in Italy are experimenting with sound vibrations to replace pesticides. Adapting different eco-friendly methods they are able to boost harvests and open up a new chapter in sustainable farming.
Scientists in Northern Italy are experimenting with unusual and totally eco-friendly sound and odor devices to fight off insects from their cultivated fields. And their studies suggest that these methods could be as efficient in protecting crops as using chemical based pesticides. In the meantime, in a field study near Pisa, Italy, researchers are learning how important it is to keep semi-natural habitats next to cultivated fields. These areas are an important resource for pollinators and it now seems they even have an impact on the yield of the cultivated crops.
The European grape berry moth and the cicada Scaphoideus titanus are considered to be the major pests of cultivated grape. Commonly farmers use plant protection products like insecticides or plant growing regulators to protect their crops against pests and diseases. But used in a wrong way, pesticides can pose a risk to humans and the surrounding environment.
At the Fondazione Edmund Mach in Italy, Ilaria Pertot and her team of the EU research project PURE have found ways to reduce the high pesticide rate in the European grapevine sector by disturbing the mating processes of the pests. The use of special vibrations and the odor of pheromones will in future help to prevent an offspring of the pests and this could reduce the use of pesticides close to zero.
The Latest on: Reducing pesticides
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Reducing pesticides” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Reducing pesticides
- A Little-Known Pesticide May Have Slipped Into Your Dieton April 26, 2024 at 11:00 am
92% of non-organic oat products purchased in the U.S. in May 2023, including Quaker Oats and Cheerios, were contaminated with chlormequat. Related: Are There Jobs That Let You Set Your Own Hours?
- New Consumer Reports investigation digs into dangers of pesticides in produceon April 26, 2024 at 6:59 am
A healthy diet consists of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, but some of the chemicals that are often used by produce farmers to help control bugs, fungi, and weeds raise concerns when it comes ...
- Appeal to reduce pesticide use to protect water supplieson April 26, 2024 at 5:41 am
Significant progress has been made in recent years in reducing the impact of pesticide use on public water sources, with the number of pesticide exceedances in public water supplies down 50% since ...
- This startup helps plants talk to farmers, reducing pesticides and agricultural wasteon April 25, 2024 at 10:06 am
InnerPlant’s technology uses fluorescents in the plants, so the leaves emit a signal when they are in distress.
- Does Washing Produce Really Remove Pesticides?on April 24, 2024 at 8:00 am
Here are some practical steps to take if you're worried about harmful chemicals on your fruits and vegetables.
- Harmful pesticides on our fruit & veggies: How to reduce the risk of exposure.on April 23, 2024 at 12:44 pm
For years, evidence has been building, linking pesticide exposure to increased risks of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The good news is that there’s little to worry about in close to ...
- Are green beans high risk? What to know about Consumer Reports' pesticide in produce studyon April 19, 2024 at 8:24 am
Consumer Reports' latest analysis on pesticides in produce offers a look at the risk certain vegetables and fruits pose to consumers.
- Fresh and frozen imported strawberries highly contaminated with pesticides, report sayson April 18, 2024 at 11:04 am
"Ways to reduce pesticides in your food Cleaning fruits and vegetables before eating does reduce pesticide levels, but there is "no method of washing produce that is 100% effective for removing ...
- Fresh and frozen imported strawberries highly contaminated with pesticides, report sayson April 18, 2024 at 5:40 am
Fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables, including imported versions, may contain concerning levels of pesticides, a new report says.
- Produce Without Pesticideson April 17, 2024 at 11:00 pm
Some of our favorite fruits and vegetables carry unhealthy levels of chemicals. CR's exclusive ratings reveal how to get the benefits from these foods while minimizing your risk.
via Bing News