One is tempted to wonder what the losses would be without pesticide use. Chlordane This well-known insecticide was the first member of the cyclodiene class of pesticides introduced in 1945. The cyclodienes are persistent insecticides that are very stable in soil and relatively stable to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight. These insecticides are the most effective, long-lasting, economical, and safest termite control agents yet developed. Unfortunately, several soil insects have developed resistance to these chemicals in agriculture, which has resulted in a rapid decline in their use.
Pesticides are a big business with a lot of money at stake.
DCPA Chlorthal is the common name given to this arylaliphatic acid by the International Standards Organization, but the herbicide was renamed DCPA by the Weed Society of America. The mechanism of action of arylaliphatic acid pesticides is antagonism of auxin growth hormones. They induce cell elongation and tissue proliferation, produce adventitious roots, modify the arrangement of leaves and other organs and in some instances cause fruit to develop in the absence of fertilization. DCPA is used as a pre-emergence herbicide recommended for the control of annual weeds in many different crops. It is slowly hydrolyzed in soils with a half-life of about 100 days in most soils.