This survey reports on the pesticide usage practices on protected crops, both edible and ornamental, grown in Northern Ireland in 1991. Data were collected from 137 growers representing 93% of the holdings growing protected crops in Northern Ireland. Edible crops accounted for 73% of the total area of protected crops grown and lettuce crops represented 77% of the edible crop area and 56% of the total area of protected crops grown.

A total of 2,268 kilograms of pesticides were applied to 286 spray hectares. Pesticides were applied to 91% of the total area of protected crops with a mean of three applications.

Fungicides, applied to 59% of the total pesticide-treated area, represented 25% of the total pesticide usage by weight. The two fungicide active ingredients most commonly recorded were iprodione and zineb which were both extensively used in lettuce production.

Insecticides accounted for 30% of the pesticide-treated area, representing only 4% of the total weight of pesticides applied. The pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin, primarily used on chrysanthemums, was the insecticide active ingredient most frequently used.

Herbicides were applied to 6% of the total pesticide-treated area, accounting for 1% of the total weight of pesticides used. Paraquat and propyzamide, used predominantly in lettuce crops, collectively accounted for over half of the herbicide-treated area.

Growth regulators, applied to ornamental protected crops, accounted for 2% of the pesticide-treated area and 3% of the total weight of pesticides used. The active ingredient daminozide accounted for over 90% of the area treated with growth regulators.

Soil sterilants and disinfectants accounted for only 1% of the pesticide-treated area but represented 67% of the total weight of pesticides applied.

The molluscicides metaldehyde and methiocarb were applied to 2% of the pesticide-treated area and accounted for less than 1% of the total weight of pesticides applied.

Formulations containing active ingredients from different pesticide groups accounted for less than 1% of total pesticide usage in both area of application and weight applied.

Use of biological control agents accounted for less than 1% of the pesticide-treated area.

A total of 110 products comprising 79 active ingredients and four registered biological control agents were recorded in this survey.

A full list of published reports is available together with abstracts from other relevant published work.

For further information on this work please contact:

Pesticide Usage Survey Group
Agri-food and Biosciences Institute
Newforge Lane
Belfast BT9 5PX

Email: pesticide.science@afbini.gov.uk
Tel: +44 (0)28 90 255689
Fax: +44 (0)28 90 255035