NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
North Carolina State University
College of Agriculture & Life
Sciences
Department of Entomology, Box 7613, Raleigh, NC 27695
Telephone:
(919)515-2703 -- FAX: (919) 515-7746
PESTICIDE BROADCAST
Volume 8, Number 5
August 17, 1995
IN THIS ISSUE
DUKE POISON CONTROL CENTER
Telephone 1-800-672-1697
NATIONAL PESTICIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
Telephone 1-800-858-7378
Commercial applicator/dealer pesticide schools offered by the North
Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in the Fall of 1995 are listed below:
SEPTEMBER 12-13 - RALEIGH - Categories: Ornamentals and Turf, Wood Treatment,
Right of Way, Structural PWF, and Aquatic.
SEPTEMBER 26-27 - FLETCHER - Categories: Ornamentals and Turf, Ag. Pest
Plant, Ag. Pest Animal, and Forest.
OCTOBER 10-11 - WILMINGTON - Categories: Ornamentals and Turf, Aquatic,
Dealer, and Right of Way.
OCTOBER 24-25 - CHARLOTTE - Categories: Ornamentals and Turf, Public Health,
Right of Way, and Structural PWF.
NOVEMBER 7-8 - WINSTON-SALEM - Categories: Dealer, Ag. Pest Plant, Structural
PWF, and Ornamentals and Turf.
NOVEMBER 28-29 - GREENVILLE - Categories: Ornamentals and Turf, Dealer, Ag.
Pest Plant, and Forest.
One must apply for a school at least one month in advance. For
additional information or application forms, contact John H. Wilson, Jr.,
Department of Horticultural Science, Box 7609, North Carolina State
University, Raleigh, NC 27695 (Telephone: 919/515-3113).
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released the
results of surveys of fertilizer and pesticide use on selected vegetable
crops in fourteen major vegetable-producing states during 1994. Vegetable
growers in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan,
Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Washington,
and Wisconsin were personally interviewed to obtain information on their
chemical applications throughout the 1994 crop year. Vegetable crops for
which fertilizer and pesticide use data were collected from growers include
asparagus, lima beans (fresh, processing), snap beans (fresh, processing),
broccoli, cabbage (fresh, processing), carrots, cauliflower, celery, sweet
corn (fresh, processing), cucumbers (fresh, processing), eggplant, lettuce
(head, other), melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon), dry onions, green
peas (processing), bell peppers, spinach (fresh, processing), strawberries,
and tomatoes (fresh, processing). These surveys provide the USDA with data
on agricultural chemical use to address food safety and water quality issues.
Pesticide use data from the surveys are presented in Tables 1-5.
Agricultural Chemical Usage Vegetables: 1994 Summary, National Agricultural
Statistics Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture July 1995
Fig. 1. Percent of acreage of fresh sweet corn, fresh and processing
cucumbers,
strawberries, and fresh tomatoes in the U. S. treated with
herbicides in 1994.
Fig. 2. Percent of acreage of fresh sweet corn, fresh and processing
cucumbers,
strawberries, and fresh tomatoes in the U. S. treated with
fungicides in 1994.
Fig. 3. Percent of acreage of fresh sweet corn, fresh and processing
cucumbers,
strawberries, and fresh tomatoes in the U. S. treated with
insecticides in 1994.
Fig. 4. Percent of acreage of fresh sweet corn and fresh and processing
cucumbers
in North Carolina treated with herbicides, insecticides and
fungicides in 1994.
Fig. 5. Percent of acreage of strawberries and fresh tomatoes in North
Carolina
treated with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides in 1994.
According to the annual market survey from the American Crop Protection
Association (ACPA), pesticide sales in the United States, including imports,
was $7.23 billion in 1994. The domestic pesticide sales in 1994 were a 6.6%
increase over 1993 sales ($6.8 billion). Eighty-four percent of the domestic
sales of pesticides were for the agricultural market, with corn and soybeans
accounting for 25% and 17.5% of the total, respectively. Export sales of
pesticides in 1994 decreased 15.9% to $1.9 billion.
Data for the ACPA's annual market survey were provided by 24 companies
based in the United States. These companies represent more than 95% of the
nation's pesticide sales. Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News 23(37), July
12, 1995
EPA is cancelling approximately 1,215 pesticide product registrations
for non-payment of the annual registration maintenance fee which was due on
January 15, 1995. Late payments were accepted until April 15. The 1988
Amendments to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA), require that maintenance fees be paid each year for every registered
pesticide product. The Agency has waived the fee for 52 minor agricultural
use registrations at the request of the registrants. The 1990 Farm Bill
amended FIFRA to allow EPA to reduce or waive the maintenance fees for minor
agricultural use pesticides when the Agency determines that the fee would
likely cause a significant impact on the availability of alternative
pesticides. In addition the Agency is deferring for 90 days the cancellation
of four active ingredients which will totally disappear from the market
unless the registrant or other affected persons make arrangements to continue
these registrations: plant growth regulator, Glyphosate (Sesquisodium);
microbial pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis (subspecies san diego);
microbiocide, Amines, N-coco alkyl-trimethlenedl-, adipates; bacteriostat,
Quaternary ammonium compounds, benzyl- C10-18-alkyl bis (hydroxyethyl)-,
chloride. The cancellation orders generally permit registrants to continue
to sell and distribute existing stocks of cancelled products until the due
date of the next annual registration maintenance fee, January 15, 1996.
Existing stocks in the hands of dealers or users, can generally be
distributed, sold or used legally until the stocks are depleted.
There were approximately 45,000 active product registrations before the
start of the 1989 maintenance fee program. Since that time, over 32,000
products have been cancelled for non-payment of these fees. Currently, there
are approximately 21,000 active product registrations, many of them being new
since the maintenance fee structure began. U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency August 4, 1995
The Environmental Protection Agency will not conduct a Special Review
(comprehensive assessment of risks and benefits) of pesticide products
containing lindane, based on kidney effects. The Agency has determined that
data showing that lindane produces non-reversible kidney effect in rats are
species-specific (i.e., occurs only in rats, but not in other animal species
or humans). Therefore, the effect is not relevant to human risk assessment.
The Agency said that available evidence does not establish a credible
relationship between lindane and potential kidney effects in humans. Lindane
is a broad spectrum pesticide (organochlorine) used to control insects on a
wide variety of sites including seed treatments, livestock, hardwood/lumber
logs, pecans, commercial ornamentals, households, forest trees, pets, and
assorted fruits and vegetables.
As the result of a Special Review in 1977-1983, many uses of lindane
were restricted to certified applicators. Use in smoke fumigation devices
for indoor domestic use was cancelled (effective May, 1986); use as a dog dip
for pests other than mites was restricted to veterinarians, and protective
clothing requirements were imposed.
Data concerning adverse kidney effects noted in this announcement were
received after the Agency had reached its final decision on the 1977-1983
Special Review. EPA recognizes that organochlorine pesticides, such as
lindane, may cause endocrine disruption that may be associated with human or
ecological risk concerns. The Agency is currently developing a strategy to
look at the remaining registered organochlorine pesticides as a group to
examine their role as potential endocrine disruptors. Although EPA is
closing the Special Review of lindane for kidney effects, the findings from
a comprehensive examination of this group of chemicals could lead to further
regulatory action on lindane. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency July
28, 1995
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it has reached an agreement with DuPont Agricultural Products of Wilmington, Delaware, to phase out over the next four years the production of the pesticide cyanazine for use in the United States. The agreement includes DuPont's voluntary cancellation of all DuPont cyanazine (common trade name, Bladex) products effective December 31, 1999. DuPont is the sole manufacturer and principal registrant of the technical ingredient cyanazine in the United States. EPA has classified cyanazine as a possible human carcinogen.
EPA initiated a Special Review of cyanazine, along with atrazine and
simazine (known collectively as the triazines), in November 1994. The review
is based on the Agency's concern that long term exposure to these pesticides
in food and drinking water may pose a risk of cancer. Studies indicate that
cyanazine causes cancer in laboratory animals. In addition, persons exposed
through mixing, loading and applying this pesticide may also be at risk of
cancer. Numerous ground water and surface water studies have shown the
presence of the triazines in drinking water, especially during the spring and
summer in Midwest agricultural areas. The Special Review of atrazine and
simazine will continue.
Cyanazine is a herbicide used on corn, cotton and sorghum to control
broadleaf weeds and grasses. An estimated 95% is used on corn. It is among
the most widely used pesticides in the United States. An estimated 36
million pounds are used annually.
Significant reduction in use and exposure to cyanazine will be realized
over the phase-out period. All products released for shipment after July 25,
1996, will state a reduction in maximum seasonal application rates from the
current six and one-half pounds per acre to five pounds by January 1, 1997,
to three pounds by January 1, 1998, and one pound by January 1, 1999. All
sales and distribution by DuPont are prohibited after December 31, 1999. In
addition, after January 1, 1998, all applications will require a closed cab
system.
The phase-out period will give growers time to change to appropriate
substitutes for cyanazine. Growers are not expected to incur additional
costs as a result of this action. There are major alternatives currently
registered and available, and others are under review by EPA. Growers can
use lower rate alternatives that are applied only when weeds are present
rather than as a preventive treatment, and that do not pose the potential
risk concerns of the triazines. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
August 2, 1995
EPA has issued a conditional registration amendment approving the full
commercial use of a plant-pesticide to combat insect damage in field corn.
The corn plant-pesticide is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) CryIA(B)
delta-endotoxin and the genetic material necessary for its production (p
CIB4431). The pesticide works by producing small quantities of a version of
the naturally occurring insect toxin, Bacillus thuringiensis CryIA(b)
delta-endotoxin, in the corn plant. The primary target of the toxin is the
European corn borer. EPA's registration is based on a thorough examination
to ensure that human health and the environment would be protected. The
registration is currently limited to commercial field corn production; sweet
corn and popcorn currently remain registered for seed corn propagation only.
EPA's initial registration for this plant pesticide was in late March,
which allowed planting limited acreage for seed corn. Ciba Seeds of
Greensboro, North Carolina, and Mycogen Plant Sciences of San Diego,
California, are the registrants and developers of the corn plant-pesticide.
The plant pesticide is produced when genetic material necessary to make a
truncated version of the naturally occurring Bt CryIA(b) insect toxin is
transferred to corn. Transfer of this genetic material into plants enables
them to produce an insecticidal protein similar to that produced in the
bacterium. The insecticidal protein is produced in very small quantities by
the corn plant, and is non-toxic to mammals, birds, and most other insects.
The use of this product is expected to increase corn yields 10 to 15% and
will help to eliminate the use of more toxic pesticides used to control
insects on corn plants. The Agency has reviewed and approved the resistance
management plan for Bacillus thuringiensis corn plant pesticide. EPA
concluded that the resistance plan submitted by the registrants would reduce
the possibility of resistance developing for three to five years following
use of the corn plant-pesticide. The management plan includes, among
numerous actions, close monitoring of the plant-pesticide to determine if
resistance is developing in target insects.
Commercial use of Bacillus thuringiensis corn plant-pesticide is the
second commercial registration of plant-pesticides. In early May, EPA
registered Bacillus thuringiensis (CryIII(a) delta-endotoxin and the genetic
material necessary for its production) in potatoes. U. S. Environmental
Protection Agency August 11, 1995
- Ciba Crop Protection is currently marketing and will continue to market
products for potatoes, soybeans, and peanuts on their Dual (metolachlor)
label. Despite EPA's failure to endorse these products for reregistration at
this time, there is no expected interruption in the availability of these
products for the foreseeable future. For additional information contact: Ms.
Karen Stumpf, Ciba Crop Protection, Telephone: 910-632-2169, Fax:
910-292-6374. Reregistration Notification Network, U. S. Department of
Agriculture 5(5), July 20, 1995
- The U. S. EPA has proposed that the exemptions for sodium propionate be
revoked because there are no registrations for pesticide products containing
this active ingredient. The last registrations for sodium propionate were
cancelled in 1986. This fungicide was registered for use on stored grain and
stored hay. Written comments, mentioning OPP-300389, should be sent to the
Public Response Branch of EPA by July 28, 1995. For information contact: Mr.
Philip Poli, EPA, Special Review Branch, Telephone: 703-308-8038, Fax:
703-308-8041, Electronic mail: poli.philip@epamail.epa.gov. Send written
comments to: Public Response Branch (7506C), EPA, Office of Pesticide
Programs, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460, Electronic mail:
opp-docket@epamail.epa. gov. Reregistration Notification Network, U. S.
Department of Agriculture 5(5), July 20, 1995
- The Rotenone Task Force has announced plans to delete all the agricultural
uses from rotenone labels due to the cost of reregistration. These uses of
this insecticide include: alfalfa, animal quarters, ant hills, apples,
apricots, asparagus, avocados, barley, beans, beets, blackberries, blackeyed
peas, blueberries, boysenberries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, buckwheat,
cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherries, chicory, citrus, clover,
collards, corn, cotton, cranberries, crown vetch, cucumbers, currants, dairy
animals, dewberries, eggplants, endive, garlic, ginseng, gooseberries,
grapefruit, grapes, grasses, guar, horseradish, horses, huckleberries, kale,
kohlrabi, kumquats, leeks, lemons, lespedeza, lettuce, loganberries, loquat,
mangos, melons, millet, mint, muskmelons, mustard, nectarines, nut crops,
oats, okra, onions, oranges, ornamental plants, ornamental shrubs, ornamental
trees, ornamental turf, ornamental vines, parnips, pastures, peaches, pearl
millet, pears, peas, peppers, persimmons, pimentos, plums, pomegranates,
ponies, potatoes, proso millet, prunes, pumpkins, quinces, rabbits, radishes,
rangeland, raspberries, rice, rutabagas, rye, sainfoin, salsify, sorghum,
soybeans, spice crops, spinach, squash, strawberries, sugar beets, sugarcane,
sunflowers, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, swiss chard, tangerines, teosinte,
tomatoes, trefoil, triticale, turnips, watermelons, wheat, wood structural
parts and youngberries.
The registrants plan to maintain rotenone uses for fish control in
reservoirs, lakes, ponds and streams, and flea, tick, lice, and mite control
on dogs and cats. They will reconsider the plans for deletion if someone is
willing to develop the necessary data for reregistration. For additional
information contact: Mr. Joe Conti, The Rotenone Task Force, AgrEvo
Environmental Services, Telephone: 201-307-3366, Fax: 201-307-3384.
Reregistration Notification Network, U. S. Department of Agriculture 5(5),
July 20, 1995
- DuPont Agricultural Products plans to voluntarily delete pecans from their
labels of terbacil (Sinbar) due to the cost of reregistration. DuPont, the
only registrant of this herbicide, is currently submitting this request to
the U. S. EPA. They are willing to consider maintaining this use if another
party develops the data required for reregistration. For additional
information contact: Mr. Donald Drane, DuPont Agricultural Products,
Telephone: 302-992-6028, Fax: 302-992-6470, Electronic mail:
dranedh@a1.csag1.umc.dupont. Reregistration Notification Network, U. S.
Department of Agriculture 5(5), July 20, 1995
Recommendations for the use of chemicals are included in this publication as
a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or
listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply
endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service nor
discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned.
Individuals who use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended
use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be
sure to obtain current information about usage and examine a current product
label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact an agent of the
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in your county.
Stephen J. Toth, Jr.
Extension Specialist
Pesticide Impact Assessment
Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of
race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. North Carolina State
University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.