IMPACTOS ECONÓMICOS Y AMBIENTALES DE LOS PLAGUICIDAS EN CULTIVOS DE MAÍZ, ALFALFA Y NOGAL EN DURANGO, MÉXICO

Pesticides are inputs used to improve agricultural and forest production. However, their production, preparation, and application critically pollute the environment and affect human populations. In this work, the environmental and economic impacts of pesticides used in corn (Zea mays L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and walnut (Juglans illinoinensis Wangenh) crops in Durango, Mexico, were evaluated. The environmental impact quotient and the pesticide environmental accounting systems were used to estimate these impacts. Face-to-face interviews with producers, agricultural managers, and commercial stores were used to find out the main products used, doses, application frequencies, and the price of their active ingredients. Results indicate that insecticides have a greater environmental impact than herbicides and fungicides. Likewise, due to its extension, corn accounted for the greatest environmental and economic impact. The aggregated cost of the externalities generated by pesticides was estimated at around MXN $24 million per year. The most notable economic consequences were observed on consumers, agricultural workers, and aquatic life. This study can help in the identification of high-impact chemicals and the assessment of their future use in crop production.