Plant Protection specialist

Abstract Azole compounds have become one of the most widely used pesticide groups worldwide due to their high efficacy in the management of fungal pests and diseases. The majority of these compounds, especially triazoles, act by targeting the demethylase enzyme and inhibiting the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway in the cell membrane of fungi. The range of applications of these compounds has expanded from the protection of agricultural and horticultural crops to the food industry and the treatment of fungal infections in medicine. Despite the key role of azoles in food security, their concentrated and repeated use has led to serious environmental challenges, including persistence in ecosystems and bioaccumulation in non-target aquatic and terrestrial species. However, due to their favorable efficacy and relatively lower toxicity indices compared to previous generations of pesticides, various derivatives of this family such as triazoles, pyrazoles, imidazoles and oxazoles are still approved and used as the main active ingredients in the formulation of plant protection products. This article, while reviewing the mechanism of action and applications of these compounds, analyzes the balance between agricultural efficiency and their ecological risks.

Abstract Neonicotinoids, as the fastest growing class of insecticides, have revolutionized the protection of agricultural and horticultural crops. The unique properties of these compounds, including high efficacy against a wide range of pests, flexibility in application, and systemic nature leading to uniform distribution in plant tissues, have made them a key tool in modern agriculture. However, these same properties have provided high environmental stability, which is directly linked to ecological risks and potential toxicity to non-target organisms. Acetamiprid, as a new generation insecticide, was initially considered due to its lower toxicity to honeybees (as vital pollinators) and was considered a relatively safer alternative for pest control. Acetamiprid’s mechanism of action is through the specific targeting of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in insects; however, evidence suggests that its widespread and ongoing use has been associated with direct and indirect negative consequences on ecosystems. One of the key challenges addressed in this study is the evidence of the potential toxicity of acetamiprid to mammals, which, contrary to initial assumptions, has raised serious concerns for the health of non-target species. Finally, this article explains the need to review the use protocols of these compounds and the need for integrated pest management (IPM) approaches to reduce the environmental footprint of neonicotinoids.