Chapter 25

Pesticides for Grapevines

Chemical Pesticides

Conventional pesticides (i.e., synthesized by the agrochemical companies) are man-made and are the largest group of pesticides used by growers. There are many classes of synthetic pesticides. The main classes consist of organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids. The synthetic compounds include most of the insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. If all other integrated pest management tactics are unable to keep an insect pest population below an economic threshold, then use of a pesticide to control the pest and prevent economic loss is justified.

Types of Chemical Pesticides

There are three groups of pesticides that dominate this category—insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Pesticides can be grouped according to their mode of action or the way a pesticide controls the target pest. In other words, the mode of action is the way the pesticide causes physiological disruption at its target site. This is also referred to the primary site of action. For example, one insecticide may affect an insect’s nerves while another may affect molting.

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