Effects of Pesticides Used in Controlling Pistachio Psyllid on Human Health, and Control Strategies

Due to the ever-increasing population growth, the need for agricultural and food products has increased. In this respect, the use of pesticides has increased significantly in the agricultural sector to control agricultural pests. In in the world's agricultural sector, about 0.08 kg of pesticides is consumed per hectare, with this amount being about 7 kg in Iran [1]. The global consumption of pesticides, in 2017, was estimated at 4.11 million tons, which increased by 80% as against 1990. Due to the unfamiliarity with correct spraying principles, spraying operations are performed incompletely or irregularly [2- 4]. Pistachios are among the most important agricultural products in Iran, which are exported and consumed to a considerable extent. The majority of crops become infected with some pests in various periods. Pistachio psyllid is one of the most damaging pests of pistachios. This insect uses the plant's leaves and sap and makes the leaves dry and fall off. In case this pest, i.e. pistachio psyllid, is not controlled and its population increases, it will damage the plant's buds and fruit, thereby causing pistachios to become blank (hollow) [5]. Thus far, various insecticides have been used in controlling pistachio psyllid, namely Amitraz, Chlorpyrifos, Acetamiprid, Imidacloprid, Spirotetramat, Lufenuron, Hexaflumuron, Thiamethoxam, etc. [6- 8]. However, the use of some of these pesticides, such as Chlorpyrifos, has been restricted in recent years. From among the aforementioned pesticides, Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid are the most widely used pesticides in the world, which are utilized in controlling pistachio psyllid [9- 11].