Review of Agrochemicals: Paraquat Dichloride & Carbosulfan

Why in News?

A Central expert Panel is reviewing safety profiles of 2 major plant protection chemicals Paraquat Dichloride (herbicide) & Carbosulfan (Insecticide).

• Reason for Probe – Impact on Public Health & Acute toxicity.
• Expert Panel recommended – For a Complete Ban.
• Phased regulatory approach- Advocated by Agro chemical industry rather immediate ban ahead of kharif sowing seasons.

Classifications -

• Paraquat Dichloride – Non selective Contact herbicide, it is highly toxic.

N0n- selective Contact – It can kill wide range of crops regardless of species, while contact implies it can destroy only that part of plant which directly touches by rapidly disrupting cell membranes within hours.

• Application – utilized in Modern Weed Management system across major commercial crops like coffee, rubber, Wheat, maize, cotton, paddy, tea & Sugarcane.
• Declared as – Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) it is strictly prohibited for domestic or residential use due to its toxicity.
• Banned in - 60 Nations, but it’s not banned under the Rotterdam Convention a multilateral treaty that promotes collective responsibility in relation to the imports of Harmful chemicals.

Carbosulfan –

• Type - It’s a carbamate insecticide that acts by inhibiting the acetylcholienesterase enzyme, disrupting the nervous system of target pests.
• Application – It is commercially distributed in Emulsifiable concentrate (25% C), preferred in Cotton & Rice farming.
• Target Pests - It effectively manages catastrophic field pests in rice (such as Gall Midge, Stem Borer, Leaf Folder, White Backed Plant Hopper (WBPH), and Brown Plant Hopper (BPH), and sucking pests (aphids and thrips) in cotton and cumin.

LIST OF MAJOR PLANT PROTECTION CHEMICALS BANNED IN INDIA IN LAST FEW YEARS