Did you know?
Fumigants have significant consequences on several key aspects such as the environment, health and the economy. In the coming weeks, we’ll be telling you about all of them. Don’t miss this series on the consequences of fumigants.
We start with the effects of fumigants on the environment, an issue that concerns and occupies us from the LIFE NextFUMIGREEN project. The environmental consequences of the use of fumigants are significant and can have short- and long-term effects on ecosystems. Do you want to know which ones?
Soil contamination: fumigants can persist in soil for long periods of time, especially if they are persistent in nature. This can affect soil health, alter microbiota and reduce fertility, compromising the soil’s ability to support healthy crops.
Water contamination: fumigants can leach into the soil and reach groundwater sources, contaminating rivers, lakes and aquifers. This affects water quality, making it unsafe for human and animal consumption.
Biodiversity loss: exposure to fumigants can be lethal to various species of plants, insects and other organisms, leading to a decrease in biodiversity. Fumigants can affect non-target organisms, including beneficial insects, soil micro-organisms, and wildlife that depend on the agricultural environment. This can lead to a reduction in local biodiversity and imbalances in food chains.
Pollinator decline: many fumigants are toxic to bees and other pollinators, which can negatively affect pollination of crops and wild plants.
Effect on air quality: the volatility of some fumigants can lead to the release of toxic compounds into the air, contributing to air pollution and affecting local air quality.
Resistance and accumulation in the environment: continued use of fumigants may lead to the development of resistance in target pests, which in turn may require the use of stronger products or in greater quantities. In addition, some fumigants may accumulate in the environment and persist for extended periods, increasing long-term environmental health risks.
Impact on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems: natural ecosystems near agricultural areas may be affected by fumigant drift, altering the structure and function of these ecosystems and affecting sensitive species.
Effects on vegetation: depending on their formulation and application, fumigants may adversely affect surrounding vegetation, including non-target crops and natural vegetation, which may compromise the health and diversity of vegetation landscapes.
Contribution to climate change: some fumigants, such as those containing halogens, can contribute to stratospheric ozone depletion, exacerbating long-term climate change.
The environmental consequences of fumigant use underline the urgent need to adopt more sustainable and safer agricultural practices. The LIFE NextFUMIGREEN proposal that will test the efficacy of a new type of fumigant plant protection product based on natural actives in the protection of the most representative greenhouse crops will help to mitigate these negative impacts, thus protecting ecosystems, biodiversity and human health in the long term.
LIFE NextFUMIGREEN is a European project that aims to develop natural fumigants from plant extracts to control primary pest populations of horticultural greenhouse crops. The project, led by FumiHogar, in collaboration with Centro Tecnológico Tecnova, B&B Asesores, Comercial Química Massó, BrioAgro Tech and Finnova Foundation, and 60% funded by the European Union’s LIFE programme, will last four and a half years and will test the efficacy of a new fumigant biopesticide that is less toxic than conventional ones. With a total budget of 2,758,921.01 euros, this project aims to improve food security and biodiversity and contribute to the professionalisation of farmers in the use of biopesticides.