Outlook

Many of the issues encountered during a century of chemical crop protection were formulated as early as the 19th century: toxicity for the experimenter and consumer, the risk of phytotoxicity, the risk of pest propagation linked to transport, the accuracy of residue analysis methods, respect for beneficials, biodiversity, organized phytosanitary surveillance, weather-related forecasts, discernment in treatment decisions, the need for regulations and international agreements, pest limitation rather than the desire for eradication. Two points, however, surprised the vigilance of the pioneers: pest resistance to pesticides and widespread water pollution.

There is growing social and regulatory pressure to reduce the toxicological and environmental risks associated with pesticide use. We know more and more about the physiological and biochemical modes of action of active...