3 ms·

Thanks. That's an interesting response. However, the statement in question was explicitly regarding pesticides, not herbicides. And, implicitly, the context is

Thanks. That's an interesting response. However, the statement in question was explicitly regarding pesticides, not herbicides. And, implicitly, the context is those pesticides which are in use at scale on non-organic crops.

randomdata 12y ago
Nicotine would classify as insecticide that, while perhaps not completely benign, is considered to have minimal impact on human health (smoking it notwithstanding). A synthetically derived form of nicotine is the primary insecticide in use these days, although it's incredible success with the insect population is starting to give us second thoughts about using it.
- girvo 12y ago
  IIRC, nicotine is a seriously powerful poison that can be absorbed through your skin, and mLs are all that's needed to kill a person?
Blahah 12y ago
Herbicides are a sub-class of pesticides, so benign herbicides definitely count.
Dylan16807 12y ago
Keep in mind that even if a compound is suitable for use at scale it might cost slightly more than current methods and therefore see almost no use.
- unclebucknasty 12y ago
  Yes. But going back to my original question, it was in response to the statement that there are "almost unbelievably benign" pesticides with regard to human and environmental impact. So, while there was also an implication that we're talking about pesticides that might see practical use, I'm really not even holding out that requirement. I'm just inquiring into the names of those pesticides that are benign to both humans and the environment.
  - ramblingrain 12y ago
    I replied a few levels up mentioning kaolin spray (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaolin_spray http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaolin_spray). For more information about 'particle films' (like kaolin spray) see this document. There are numerous compounds mentioned and very interesting references too. These techniques also can be mixed with conventional pesticides and achieve the same efficacy as pure pesticide. Particle Films: A New Technology for Agriculture - http://blog.meyvelitepe.org/images/Book_Chapter_Particle_Film_Technolgy.pdf http://blog.meyvelitepe.org/images/Book_Chapter_Particle_Fil... "At the present time, a commercial particle film material, Surround crop protectant, is being used in about 90% of the Pacific Northwest pear market for the early season control of pear psylla and approximately 20% of the Washington State apple market to reduce sunburn damage."

randomdata 12y ago

Nicotine would classify as insecticide that, while perhaps not completely benign, is considered to have minimal impact on human health (smoking it notwithstanding). A synthetically derived form of nicotine is the primary insecticide in use these days, although it's incredible success with the insect population is starting to give us second thoughts about using it.

girvo 12y ago
IIRC, nicotine is a seriously powerful poison that can be absorbed through your skin, and mLs are all that's needed to kill a person?

Blahah 12y ago

Herbicides are a sub-class of pesticides, so benign herbicides definitely count.

Dylan16807 12y ago

Keep in mind that even if a compound is suitable for use at scale it might cost slightly more than current methods and therefore see almost no use.

unclebucknasty 12y ago
Yes. But going back to my original question, it was in response to the statement that there are "almost unbelievably benign" pesticides with regard to human and environmental impact. So, while there was also an implication that we're talking about pesticides that might see practical use, I'm really not even holding out that requirement. I'm just inquiring into the names of those pesticides that are benign to both humans and the environment.
- ramblingrain 12y ago
  I replied a few levels up mentioning kaolin spray (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaolin_spray http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaolin_spray). For more information about 'particle films' (like kaolin spray) see this document. There are numerous compounds mentioned and very interesting references too. These techniques also can be mixed with conventional pesticides and achieve the same efficacy as pure pesticide. Particle Films: A New Technology for Agriculture - http://blog.meyvelitepe.org/images/Book_Chapter_Particle_Film_Technolgy.pdf http://blog.meyvelitepe.org/images/Book_Chapter_Particle_Fil... "At the present time, a commercial particle film material, Surround crop protectant, is being used in about 90% of the Pacific Northwest pear market for the early season control of pear psylla and approximately 20% of the Washington State apple market to reduce sunburn damage."