The persistent and ubiquitous nature of various agriculture-based pesticides and other organic pollutants has posed havoc to the mankind due to their bioaccumulation properties and high toxicity. Injudicious use of pesticides and other persistent organic pollutants in agricultural soils have devastated future repercussions. However, in the last half of the nineteenth century, robust growth in the world economy including both industrial and agricultural sectors has led to the progressive mount in the generation and utilization of agriculture-based chemicals which often induce calamitous effects on the environment. Approximately, 45% of the annual food production is lost due to pest infestation therefore, effective pest management by using wide range of pesticides is required to confront pests and to increase the crop production. In the process of agricultural development, pesticides became a vital tool for plant protection and for enhancing crop yield. Pesticides include a wide range of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, nematicides, etc. Pesticides are the chemicals (natural or synthetic) employed in various agricultural practices to control pests, weeds and diseases in plants. In the present manuscript, an attempt has been made to critically review the global usage of different pesticides and their major adverse impacts on ecosystem, which will provide guidance for a wide range of researchers in this area. Diverse pesticides directly or indirectly polluted air, water, soil and overall ecosystem which cause serious health hazard for living being. Although pesticides are beneficial for crop production point of view, extensive use of pesticides can possess serious consequences because of their bio-magnification and persistent nature. However, by the year 2020, the global pesticide usage has been estimated to increase up to 3.5 million tonnes. Approximately, 2 million tonnes of pesticides are utilized annually worldwide, where China is the major contributing country, followed by the USA and Argentina, which is increasing rapidly. Pesticides are extensively used in modern agriculture and are an effective and economical way to enhance the yield quality and quantity, thus ensuring food security for the ever-growing population around the globe.

Insecticides and pesticides examples