Organic growers are permitted to use pesticides that are of natural origin and in some cases these organic pesticides can have higher environmental impacts than synthetic pesticides often because they have to be used in large doses.
According to a study, scientists compared the effectiveness and environmental impact of organic pesticides to those of conventional and novel reduced-risk synthetic products on soybean crops. They examined four synthetic pesticides: two conventional products commonly used by soybean farmers and two new, reduced-risk pesticides. They also examined a mineral oil-based organic pesticide that smothers aphids and another product containing a fungus that infects and kills insects.
An organic mineral oil-based product was among the less effective ones, as it killed ladybugs and flower bugs, which are important regulators of aphid population and growth. These predator insects reduce environmental impact because they naturally protect the crop, reducing the amount of pesticides that are needed.
[Source]
Chapter: Food :: 29 July 2010
