New Chemistries for Phytomedicines and Crop Protection Chemicals

J.B. Unsworth; N.A. Shakil; J. Kumar

doi:10.1515/ci-2016-0635

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New Chemistries for Phytomedicines and Crop Protection Chemicals

J.B. Unsworth , N.A. Shakil und J. Kumar

Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 16. Dezember 2016

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Aus der Zeitschrift Chemistry International Band 38 Heft 6

The 3rd International IUPAC Conference on “Agrochemicals Protecting Crop, Health and Natural Environment—New Chemistries for Phytomedicines and Crop Protection Chemicals” was held at the National Agricultural Science Centre, New Delhi, India from 6-9 April 2016. The conference acted as a forum for scientists of different disciplines, from academia, government, and industry, to discuss the latest trends and discoveries in agrochemicals and phytomedicines and to suggest how these may impact future policies at State and National levels. The opening ceremony was opened by the Chief Guest, Dr. N. K. Krishna Kumar, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Science), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), who delivered his inaugural lecture and emphasised the need to develop Public Private Partnership (PPP), along with other priority areas. The conference attracted over 350 participants, coming mainly from India but also from both developed and developing countries such as Belgium, Canada, China, Japan, Sudan, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA, and including around 200 young scientists. The scientific programme was supplemented by an exhibition of scientific equipment and laboratory supplies.

Each day, the conference began with a plenary session. Over four days, eleven plenary lectures were given covering various topics, including the research and development of agrochemicals, integrated pest management, nutraceuticals, and medicinal plants. The lectures were delivered by scientists coming not only from India, but also from Canada, Japan, Switzerland, and the UK. The plenary sessions were followed by concurrent sessions at which a total of 40 invited lectures were given, covering topics such as pesticide residues, crop pests and diseases, exploring biodiversity for biopesticides and phytomedicines, genetically modified crops, pesticide resistance management, integrated pest management, and nanotechnology. In addition, two workshops were held as an integral part of the conference. These were a two-day Ecological Risk Assessment Workshop and a one-day Workshop on a Review for the All India Coordinated Research Programme on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and Betelvine. Young scientists were well represented in the poster sessions, at which a total of about 100 posters were presented. Each poster was judged on its scientific merit, content, and presentationPrizes were awarded to the three posters judged to be the most outstanding, a difficult choice between many excellent presentations. Nine recommendations from the lectures and discussions held during the conference were put forward to help guide future policy in India. These can be summarised as follows:

Dr N. K. Krishna Kumar, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Science), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), giving the inaugural lecture.

Chemical Pesticides

With a rapidly increasing global population, food security is of paramount importance. This is particularly true for India, which accounts for 17% of the world population. Chemical pesticides remain extremely important in ensuring a sustainable supply of food, even if their use raises the concerns of policy makers due to possible adverse environmental and health effects. Research into the discovery of new molecules and novel formulations which make for safer products is ongoing, including research into biopesticides derived from plants. Pesticide residues remaining on treated crops can be a concern, and monitoring programmes for residues, including on crops for export, should continue to ensure that residue levels are within legal limits.

Biopesticides

Interesting research is being carried out to find new pesticides derived from natural plant or microbial products. However, there are several potential limitations, such as their complex structures and, in some cases, their short life in the environment. It must be shown that the use of these biopesticides under normal agricultural conditions will protect the crop adequately from the pest which is to be controlled.

Integrated pest management

Integrated pest management (IPM) should be stressed and training of farmers by qualified experts should be carried out to ensure that this technique is used appropriately and effectively in controlling target pests.

Training

Training of farmers in the safe use of chemical pesticides should continue and be increased. This should include training courses on how to decipher a label, how to mix and load safely, what protective clothing must be worn, and how to apply a product according to the label recommendations to avoid contamination of themselves and water courses. Training on integrated pest management should also be included. Farmers and suppliers must be aware of the occurrence of sub-standard and counterfeit pesticides. Pesticide suppliers should also undergo appropriate training to ensure that they understand the potential issues with the pesticides they stock. There is also a need for a public/private partnership (PPP) for R&D programmes in India.

Regulations

Registration of pesticides should be sufficient to protect human health and the environment. However, the regulations must not be too complex or costly to meet. Where there is good scientific evidence that data from one country can be used to support registration in India this should be allowed. Similarly, studies carried out according to harmonised OECD protocols should not be repeated using local protocols. Proper risk assessments should be carried out for registration purposes, rather than just using the inherent properties of the molecule.

Participants at the 3rd International APCHNE Conference, New Delhi, 6-9 April 2016

Public awareness

The media still like to give the impression that chemical pesticides are inherently unsafe; industry, academia and government, together with the help of international organisations, should increase the awareness of the public that chemical pesticides can be used safely in ways that pose no problem to human health or the environment. In addition, the benefits of using these products to increase the food supply should be widely publicised in a way understandable to non-experts.

Biotechnology

New techniques are being enabled by biotechnology. These techniques should be built on in order to develop herbicide resistance and insecticidal properties, and, in addition, new traits in crops such as drought resistance and increased storage times (increased shelf life).

Phytomedicines

Due to the emerging global demand for phytomedicines, medicinal and aromatic plants that are collected from forests, etc. are overexploited, with many plants becoming rare and endangered. This situation requires conservation of natural habitats and sustainable utilization in order to maintain ecological balance. Genomics, molecular breeding, diagnostics and vaccines, nanotechnology, secondary agriculture, farm mechanization, energy, and technology dissemination are the critical areas that must be given priority. Agro-techniques could also be developed for the cultivation of phytomedicines on degraded land and in wastelands. Where possible, waste from medicinal and aromatic crops should be considered for potential use as value-added products. Additionally, the development of alternative uses for existing phytochemicals could be investigated. Bioassay-guided discovery approaches for product development, together with smart drug delivery systems to enhance the bioavailability of active molecules, could be established using Ayurgenomics (Ayurveda/traditional knowledge). The standardization of post-harvest management practices like drying, sorting, grading, packaging, storage, and transportation are important for the development of phytomedicines. The development of non-destructive techniques and bar coding for quality control, the framing of regulatory standards and traceability of products from source to supply (supply chain management and quality assurance, QA) are also important.

The Valedictory Function of the conference was Chaired by Dr. C. D. Mayee, Former Chairman, Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), New Delhi, India, who stressed the importance of close collaboration with participating delegates for future research. He also complimented the organisers for bringing together a group of young and seasoned researchers on one platform and hoped that this will help strengthen future research.

Online erschienen: 2016-12-16

Erschienen im Druck: 2016-12-1

Artikel in diesem Heft

https://doi.org/10.1515/ci-2016-0635