Agrochemicals and sustainable agriculture
The latest chemistry news and research on agrochemicals, including pesticides, fertilisers and sustainable agriculture, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
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OpinionLosing sleep over pesticide exposure
Managing exposure risks poses questions about the extent of producers’ and regulators’ responsibilities for safety
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News‘I barely sleep for four hours’: Are pesticides robbing farmers worldwide of sleep?
Studies point to an emerging link between a range of pesticides and insomnia
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BusinessRNA as a replacement for chemical pesticides
Argentinian start-up Apolo Biotech is teaching plants to fight infections
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OpinionHow a herbicide illustrates the many ways chemicals are put to the test
The glyphosate debate highlights the complexity of chemicals regulation
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OpinionGetting into the weeds of the glyphosate debate
Assessments of the risk posed by the controversial herbicide depend on how the evidence is weighed
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ResearchShape-shifting carbon ring helps researchers test alternative weed management tactic
Pausing plant growth, rather than completely inhibiting it, might make weeds less inclined to develop resistance
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BusinessUS aims to reinstate chlorpyrifos insecticide ban
2021 ban on remaining food uses was overturned on appeal in 2023
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FeatureThe problem of plastic in our soils
Not just a marine issue, new research shows microplastics are also changing agricultural land. Bárbara Pinho finds out how and what we can do to prevent it affecting our food
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NewsCall for EU to ban sale of pesticides already outlawed in the bloc
Coalition of citizen groups argues that measure would cost few jobs and save lives, protect the environment in low- and middle-income countries
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ResearchProtecting wine from wildfire smoke taint with a nanotech coating
US researchers, prompted by vineyard losses from 2020 wildfires on the west coast, have developed protective cellulose nanofibre coatings for grapes
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ResearchField study reveals banned pesticide sulfoxaflor had no effect on pollination by bumblebees
Work adds to nuanced picture of pesticide’s effect on pollinating insects
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BusinessNature-inspired crop protection
Plant extracts, proteins and pheromones aiming to replace conventional chemical pesticides
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ArticleHow the chemical industry supports sustainable farming
Daniel Vennard, chief sustainability officer at the Syngenta Group, shares his perspective on why farming is an important part of the sustainability conversation
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BusinessUS bans chlorpyrifos on all food crops
Environmental agency removes remaining exceptions for agricultural use of controversial insecticide
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ArticlePestiMix: tackling the pesticide problem
Screening pesticide compounds just got smarter and faster
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ResearchPollen-mimicking antidote saves bees after pesticide exposure
Calcium carbonate microparticles deliver detoxifying enzyme to bees’ guts
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FeatureThe growing problem of pesticide resistance
Weeds and other plant pests can no longer be controlled by chemicals as easily as they could. Bárbara Pinho talks to the scientists finding solutions
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FeatureGetting to the root of soil nitrogen
The farming industry’s reliance on nitrogen compounds is altering the environment, but Ian Le Guillou finds a better understanding of the interplay between plants and microbes could help to reduce the impact
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NewsMystery illness that hospitalised hundreds in India stumps health experts
Authorities are looking at pesticide contamination of food and water as well as heavy metals
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ResearchSynthetic hormone stops water loss in crops
Virtual screening and scaffold merging behind compound that closes plant stomata