Side Effects of Pesticides on Crops, Agricultural Systems and Associated Biodiversity

Pesticides are extensively utilised in agriculture for pest management, being associated with enhanced crop productivity. However, these chemical substances can exert both direct and indirect effects on crops and agricultural systems, potentially compromising productivity and the long-term sustainability of agroecosystems.

Direct impacts include reduced germination, inhibited root and shoot growth, and disruptions in nutrient metabolism that result in increased nutrient losses, particularly nitrogen. Additionally, changes in carbon metabolism, such as increased exudation of low molecular weight compounds and carbohydrate accumulation, have been observed. Indirectly, pesticide application can adversely affect soil health by disrupting the soil food web and microbiome, negatively impacting pollinators, natural pest predators, as amphibious reptiles, spiders, and ladybugs, and beneficial microorganisms, including plant growth-promoting microbes, beneficial fungi, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The disruption of these networks has numerous detrimental consequences for crops, such as impairing plants' ability to efficiently access essential nutrients and defend against pests and other stressors, thereby increasing the risks to plant health. compromise plant health and productivity, a deeper understanding of these impacts is essential. This Research Topic aims to advance knowledge on the side effects of pesticides that may undermine crop productivity and health, while also seeking to elucidate how pesticide use influences the sustainability of agroecosystems. The insights gained will be valuable for developing alternative pest control strategies that promote environmental sustainability.

Original Research, Reviews, and Opinion Articles are all welcome for submission.

Specific topics may include but are not limited to:
• Impact of pesticides on crops: yield, germination, growth and physiological aspects
• Impact of pesticides on the sustainability of agricultural systems
• Impact of pesticides on nutrient cycling: focus on nitrogen and sulphur
• Impact of pesticides on carbon cycle processes
• Impact of pesticides on spontaneous plants
• Impact of pesticides on pest and disease incidence in crops
• Impact of pesticides on soil microbiome
• Impact of pesticides on the soil food web
• Impact of pesticides on natural enemies

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Agrochemical, agroecosystems, soil health, environmental sustainability, crop health, environmental health, nutrients disorders

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.