Why is SARS-CoV-2 so successful for outbreak? An ecotoxicological perspective

Synanthropic primary hosts carrying viruses may burden new dangers for humanity. The SARS-CoV-2 virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic presently infected near 2 million humans. Virus characteristics resulted in a successful outbreak due to various reasons: (i) patient are infectious before experiencing symptoms; (ii) carrying hosts might be symptomless, disease outcome in ill patients depends on underlying conditions, age and sex; (iii) intermediate hosts, acting as reservoirs living close contact with humans (e.g., livestock, pets); (iv) possible virus mutations from animal/person to person/person transmission; (v) the virus can spread through the air; (vi) the half-life of the virus is long, reaching some days, thus feces and street dust increase the hazard, and contact spread is also turned into critical

Silent Spring: Landscape after sixty years

The Silent Spring is now the zero-kilometer stone of environmental movements related to plant protection, a fundamental piece of work that projects visions for us in literary English. Compared to Carson’s era, the number of pesticides that can be used has increased by sixfold. It grew from 50 pesticide active ingredients in the 1960s to over 350 in 2001-2002 and stabilized at around 250 compounds in 2008 because of the EU’s re-registration activities. Based on the findings of the Rapid Alert System of Food and Feed of the EU, more than 400 actions per year were required between 2012 and 2015 on the EU import food market due to pesticide residues. We live in the Plastic Age, and we made the planet so much lame. A catch-22 if all this is projected on overpopulation. The balance between resources and consumers is fatally damaged, pollution has caused global warming, as well as a shortage in energy and raw materials

Attempts for undoing the ecological incompatibility of agricultural technologies: from ecological pest management to agroecology

Current agroecology is often categorized into three facets, science, practice, and movement. While the latter two aspects currently play significant and varying roles in different regions of the world, the fundamental aspect is the first one, the scientific approach that subsequently provided the possibility of the birth of the other two. The concept of integrated plant protection i.e., the emphasis on ecological considerations in chemical pest control emerged as a revolutionary novel concept in the middle of the last century. Among the priority principles, there are several similarities between ecological plant protection suggested by the pioneering Hungarian researcher Barnabás Nagy in 1957 and integrated pest management (IPM) initiated by US scientists Stern et al. in 1959, in given aspects such as the use of natural enemies, forecasting, and environmentally friendly strategies. In turn, the principles of ecological plant protection and IPM overlap on numerous points, but differences are also apparent. Neither of these strategies, however, emphases with due vigor the significance of persistence, pesticide residues, and chronic health-damaging effects. By today, properly assessing the environmental fate, behavior and chronic side effects of pesticides have become as important as taking the rapidly changing composition of local communities into consideration by the above three aspects of agroecology. The current pesticide re-registration strategy of the European Union focuses on prolonged changes from chronic effects. Ecological plant protection and IPM set preferences of sustainability e.g., the use of mechanical or biological protection methods and lowering the rate of agrochemical protection, but they have failed to establish transparent sustainability requirements that are easy to comprehend by general consumers. In contrast, ecological (organic) agriculture managed to formulate such clear regulations (a complete ban on synthetic pesticides), which is well-reflected in their rising preference by consumers but failed to prove that observed health benefits of organic produce is indeed due to the lack of the residues of those pesticides banned. In turn, the ecological approach currently has a strong presence in the form of the determined agroecological objectives of the European Green Deal. In retrospect, it is particularly impressive to observe the path of IPM, sustainable agriculture and all three aspects agroecology all rooted in the establishment of the ecological initiatives in the late fifties as their common historical scientific starting point

Determination of DDT and its metabolites in soil, tree bark and earthworm samples near the Budapest chemical works

An abandoned industrial site of the former Budapest Chemical Works (BVM) company has been found to contain 2000-3000 tonnes of leaking industrial waste and dangerous chemicals in corroded barrels on bare ground. The waste lot includes general industrial reagents and intermediates, some 100-200 tonnes of sulphuric acid, several hundred tonnes of 1.2 dichlorobenzene and isopropanol, and numerous other substances falling into toxicity categories from toxic to very toxic or carcinogenic, such as dinitrobenzoic acid, as well as chemical wastes from the pesticide production of the company. BVM used to manufacture numerous pesticide active ingredients, including chlorinated hydrocarbons. Thus, it produced the insecticide DDT in large quantities until the ban of the compound in 1968 and derogated approval for sales until 1974. The premises of the company has been reported previously to be contaminated, therefore, in the scope of our pesticide residue monitoring surveys between 2015 and 2019, we carried out sampling in its immediate vicinity. In our study, soil (8 samples), surface water (2 samples), tree bark (Robinia pseudoacacia, Sambucus nigra, Populus nigra) and common reed (Phragmites australis, (6 samples), as well as earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris; 1 sample) sampled next to BVM were analyzed for DDT and metabolite (~DDT) levels. Exceedingly high ~DDT levels above the accepted limit (0.1 mg/kg) were detected in soil samples: nearly 1.5 mg/kg in one sample and 0.11-0.484 mg/kg in other 5 cases. Among the biological samples (tree bark, common reed and earthworm) 0.184 and 0.190 mg/kg concentrations of ~DDT were determined in a black poplar and in an earthworm sample. These findings indicate that the wellknown persistency problem related to chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides, particularly to DDT remains actual to our days

Environmental analytical aspects of mosquito control practice

Aerial application of insecticides was monitored by determination of the active ingredient (deltamethrin) using a gas chromatograph coupled to an electron capture detector. The amount of pesticide active ingredient settled to trays after an hour indicated uneven distribution patterns influenced by micrometeorological conditions as well. Maximum half and typically about 30% of the applied insecticide settled in one hour after the treatment. Pesticide drift observed 50 meters away from the target treatment zone was significant in all cases. The measured values ranged between 7% and 31% of the applied deltamethrin and the highest value was observed for K-OTHRIN 10 ULV formulation. Parallel determination of the spray droplet size distribution and specific droplet numbers also confirmed that the drops reach the soil surface and indicated a substantial spray drift

Ínfű fajok és a lucerna másodlagos kémiai anyagai és hatástani vizsgálatai rovarokon = Allelochemicals from alfalfa and Ajuga plants and those of biological activity on different insect orders

Különböző Ajuga fajok teljes növényi őrleményét (Plodia interpunctella), teljes és frakcionált metanolos kivonatait (Acyrthosiphon pisum, Dysdercus cingulatus, Aedes aegypti, Daphnia magna), valamint tisztított ekdiszteroidok hatékonyságát vizsgáltuk. A Plodia-teszben az A. reptans 8 %-os dózisa azon túl, hogy kétszeresére növelte a posztembrionális kifejlődéshez szükséges időt és csökkentette a bábok súlyát - számottevő mortalitást (77 %) is okozott. Az A. aegypti esetében jelentős hatékonyságot csak az A. reptans 100%-os metanolos frakciója mutatott (0,1 %-os dózisban ~80 %-os mortalitás). A szívó szájszervű rovaroknál (A. pisum, D. cingulatus) A. chamaepitys 100%-os és az A. bracteosa 60%-os frakciói bizonyultak a leghatékonyabbak (0,1 %-os koncentrációban 100 %-os mortalitás). A tisztított ekdiszteroidok közül a 20E és a Polipodin B voltak hatékonyak a levéltetű tesztben (LC50 = 1,07 és 0,21 ppm). Az A. reptans-ból 10 különböző ekdiszteroidot (20-hidroxiekdizon, 20-hidroxiekdizon 3-acetát, ciaszteron, ciaszteron 3-acetát, 29-nor-ciaszteron, ajugaszteron B', ajugalakton, szengoszteron, 23-hidroxi-kapitaszteron, 24-etil-24,26-dihidroxi-taxiszterol 26-metilát) sikerült izolálnunk. Ezek közül két vegyület (23-hidroxi-kapitaszteron, 24-etil-24,26-dihidroxi-taxiszterol 26-metilát) új természetes ekdiszteroidnak bizonyult. Az A. reptans-ból eddig izoláltak közül a 20-hidroxiekdizon 3-acetátot és a ciaszteron 3-acetátot elsőként nyertük ki ebből az Ajuga fajból. | We studied the efficacy of whole plant grist (Plodia interpunctella), crude and fractionated methanolic extracts (Acyrthosiphon pisum, Dysdercus cingulatus, Aedes aegypti, Daphnia magna) as well as pure ecdysteroids from different Ajuga spp. In the Plodia-test the strongest effects were found at 8% concentration of A. reptans grist, which reduced the pupal weight, doubled the postembryonic developmental time, and caused 77% mortality until emergence of adults. In the Aedes-test the crude as well as the 100% methanolic fraction from A. reptans showed high efficacy (80% mortality at 0.1% concentration). In the case of sucking insect species (A. pisum, D. cingulatus) the 100% methanolic fraction of A. chamaepitys and the 60% methanolic fraction of A. bracteosa were highly effective on A. pisum (100% mortality at 0.1% concentration) Polipodine B and 20-hydroxyecdysone were the most effective pure phytoecdysteroids on aphids (LC50 = 0.21 ppm and 1.07 ppm). We have identified 10 different ecdysteroids from the Ajuga reptans var. reptans (20-hydroxyecdysone, 20-hydroxyecdysone acetate, cyasterone, cyasterone 3 acetate, 29-nor-cyasterone, ajugasterone B', ajugalactone, sengosterone, 23-hydroxi-kapitasterone, 24-ethyl-24,26-dihydroxi-taxisterol 26-metilat). Among these 23-hydroxi-capitasterone and 24-ethyl-24,26-dihydroxi-taxisterol 26-metilat are new phytoecdysteroids while, 20-hydroxyecdysone acetate and cyasterone 3 acetate were firstly isolated from A. reptans

Application rates of neonicotinoids in seed coating as sources of environmental contamination

To assess technical variability in actual dosages, the application rates of neonicotinoid insecticide active ingredients in seed coatings were determined and compared for commercial seeds of different maize varieties. Theeffect oflong storage and coating by unique equipment were assessed. Application rates in different pesticide treatment modes (seed coating, spray or soil granule applications) were also compared. Results indicate that the three technologies utilize similar amounts of the active ingredients per hectare

The importance of biological vision in the control of plant pests

Animal populations living on one or more plants, as well as the parasitic and predatory populations built around them, and those living from the carcass, waste, and other populations of all these plants constitute a life-changer held together by specific laws. It is therefore essential that the ratio between plant protection products, on the one hand, and entomological ecological research, on the other hand, should very soon change. Only agrocoenologists are capable to carry out the research task, which is very closely related to plant protection already that examines the immediate and more distant effects of the broad variety of protection methods, particularly those by chemical control. We allude to the agronomist, familiar with biology and not changing his farmland exceedingly often; who can gradually, year after year, compile the building blocks of experience; who can keep an eye on the major alterations in wildlife upon the anthropogenic activities that transform nature; who can record changes in the bulk of pests, their disappearance and reemergence; and who could observe the impacts of plant protection work with a critical eye. We must strive to find processes based on biological-ecological research, practically pest by pest, that allow the greatest use of natural limiting factors by restraining chemical treatments to the narrowest and most appropriate schedule. In our article, we describe some methods and principles of the implementation of a biological approach and ecological plant protection

Study on Soil Mobility of Two Neonicotinoid Insecticides

Movement of two neonicotinoid insecticide active ingredients, clothianidin (CLO) and thiamethoxam (TMX), was investigated in different soil types (sand, clay, or loam) and in pumice. Elution profiles were determined to explore differences in binding capacity. Soil characterized by high organic matter content retained the ingredients, whereas high clay content resulted in long release of compounds. Decrease in concentration was strongly influenced by soil types: both CLO and TMX were retained in loam and clay soils and showed ready elution through sandy soil and pumice. Elution capability of the active ingredients in sandy soil correlated with their water solubility, indicating approximately 30% higher rapidity for TMX than for CLO. Soil organic carbon-water partitioning coefficients (Koc) determined were in good agreement with literature values with somewhat lower value for CLO in sandy soil and substantially higher values for TMX in clay soil. High mobility of these neonicotinoid active ingredients in given soil types urges stronger precautionary approach taken during their application

Neonicotinoid insecticide uptake by maize and appearance in guttation liquid

Movement of clothianidin (CLO) and thiamethoxam (TMX) applied as maize seed dressing or spray application has been investigated in different soil types (sandy, clay or loam), and subsequent appearance of these compounds in the guttation liquid of maize are presented. Elution profiles for different soil types were determined in order to explore differences in binding capacity. Soil characterized by high organic matter content retained the ingredients, whereas high clay content resulted in delayed release of the compounds. Neonicotinoid uptake by non-coated maize plants was also determined via guttation liquid measurements after the neonicotinoid ingredients had been applied in spray format. The highest peak concentrations of TMX and CLO (0.546 and 1.83 µg/ml, respectively) were measured from plants planted in sandy soil, but these levels were still substantially lower than levels in samples taken from plants emerged from neonicotinoid-coated seeds (above 100 µg/ml). Moreover, the time of ingredient appearance in guttation liquid was also strongly influenced by soil type. Cross-contamination was established by measuring neonicotinoid concentrations in guttation liquid in plants emerged from differently coated (CLO and TMX) seeds potted near to each other and the effect of soil type has also been explored. Results for coated (CLO or TMX) and non-coated plants also confirmed that cross-contamination may occur by uptake through soil from neighboring seeds. Differences between non-coated and coated seeds gradually disappeared. This is the first record of neonicotinoid levels in guttation liquid of plants emerged from non-coated maize seeds