ECOLOGICAL ALTERNATIVES USED TO REPLACE PESTICIDES IN FRUIT CULTURE

Abstract

The increase in dependence on synthetic pesticides applied in fruit growing has raised, in recent years, a series of economic and environmental problems. Difficulties associated with contamination of the environment, acute or chronic poisoning for wildlife exposed to chemical compounds, non-selective elimination of beneficial microorganisms present in the soil and on plants, the persistence of substances in fruits and the acquisition of pathogen resistance are just some of the concerns of farmers. Many studies link the severe damage to biodiversity to the widespread use of pesticides, along with other practices implemented in modern intensive agriculture. This paper aims to analyze the impact of the use of pesticides in modern agriculture and present ecological plant-based alternatives that could replace the chemicals frequently used in fruit growing, for a sustainable agriculture.