Pesticide Use in U.S. Agriculture: 21 Selected Crops, 1960-2008

Pesticides—including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides—have contributed to substantial increases in crop yields over the past five decades. Properly applied, pesticides contribute to higher yields and improved product quality by controlling weeds, insects, nematodes, and plant pathogens. In addition, herbicides reduce the amount of labor, machinery, and fuel used for mechanical weed control. However, because pesticides may possess toxic properties, their use often prompts concern about human health and environmental consequences. The examination of pesticide use trends is critical for informed pesticide policy debate and science-based decisions. This report analyzes pesticide use trends using a new pesticide database compiled from USDA and proprietary data, focusing on 21 crops.