Statistics on use pesticides for Latvian fruit and vegetables

For the first time Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSB) has carried out survey and surveyed data on the use of pesticides in orchards, vegetable and potato areas, greenhouse cultures, as well as in maize areas. Using data obtained in 2014, as well as results from survey (1) on the use of pesticides for cereals and rape that was carried out in 2012, information is obtained to estimate possible risk to environment and health caused by pesticides.

Provisional data compiled by the CSB show that in 2014, 7 tonnes or almost 1% of total amount of pesticides1 on average used in Latvian agriculture annually were used in orchards, vegetable areas and greenhouse cultures, but for treatment of maize areas and potato areas, 3 and 21 tonne of pesticides was used respectively.

Use of pesticides for agricultural cultures surveyed for harvest of 2014 (kg of active substances of pesticides on average per one hectare)
Data source: Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia

Taking into account high occurrence of pests and diseases in Latvia in 2014 which occurred due to climatic conditions, amount of active substances of pesticides used in crops and plantations surveyed by the CSB is evaluated as suitable for compliance with optimal agrotechnology, considers State Plant Protection Service. Data are commensurable with the latest information published by Eurostat on the amount of active substances of pesticides sold to end users, which still is one of lowest among the European Union member states both in absolute numbers2 and per one unit agricultural area3.

With pesticides were treated 69% of pear plantations, 52% of raspberry plantations, 44% of cherry plantations, 36% of apple plantations, 29% of plum plantations, 92% of cabbage plantations, 89% of onion plantations, 77% of beetroot plantations, 17% of strawberry plantations and 64% of potato plantations.

80% of pesticides used for apple trees and pear trees were fungicides, for cherry trees – 86%, for plum trees – 67%, for raspberries – 76%, for potatoes – 89% and for onions – more than 60%.

Out of total volume of pesticides used in beetroot areas 98% were herbicides, in carrot areas – 87%, in cabbage areas – 69%, in strawberry areas – 59%, in maize areas – 98%.

Insecticides that are used in pest and crop management were used in a very small amount, which can be explained with small application rate per one hectare.

Structure of pesticides used for agricultural crops surveyed
Data source: Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia

In open field vegetable areas herbicides used the most for weed control were aclonifen and metazachlor. 42% of herbicides used in carrot areas were alconifen, in onion areas – 82%. 76% of herbicides used in cabbage areas were metazachlor. High share of fungicides used in onion plantations can be explained with the use of active substance mancozeb (79% of fungicide amount used), which is a wide spread active substance of fungicides used for limiting blight.

Active substance of fugnicides mancozeb is widely used for limiting late blight and dark spots of potato, share of which in the total amount of pesticides comprised 66% and in the amount of fungicides – 74%.

For the protection of vegetables grown in greenhouses (tomatoes and cucumbers) against various root and steam disease agents fungicide plant protection products with the share of active substances of 98% were used mainly.

Survey on the use of pesticides for agricultural crops is organized once in five years.

Comparison with other European Union countries will be available in the Eurostat database in section "Agriculture" in 2016.

Source: www.baltic-course.com