Analysis on the use of agricultural antibiotics
Agricultural antibiotics offer numerous benefits, including high effectiveness, strong selectivity, easy decomposition, low residual toxicity, safety for humans and animals, no environmental pollution, and ease of application. Many countries have already adopted antibiotics for pest control. According to the Pesticide Network, China has also achieved promising results in using antibiotics to manage plant diseases and insect pests in agriculture, forestry, and horticulture.
Antibiotics are naturally produced substances by microorganisms during their metabolic processes. They inhibit the growth and development of other microorganisms and interfere with their physiological functions. To date, over 2,000 types of antibiotics have been identified globally, with most being secretions from actinomycetes. Out of these, about 50 are used in medical applications, known as medical antibiotics, while more than 10 are specifically applied in agriculture, referred to as agricultural antibiotics. Common examples include streptomycin, jinggangmycin, endoxan, gentamicin, griseofulvin, cycloheximide, and quercetin, which are widely used today.
The application of agricultural antibiotics varies depending on the type of plant disease. For soil-borne diseases, antibiotics can be used as soil disinfectants. For seed and seedling infections, they can be applied through soaking seeds, roots, or seedlings, or by spraying the seedbed. For above-ground crops, foliar sprays are typically used at the right time. On fruit trees, antibiotics are often applied as ointments to manage bacterial blight. The concentration usually ranges between 100 ppm, rarely exceeding 200 ppm, except in cases involving fruit trees and ornamental plants.
To enhance the antibacterial effect, synergists and metal ions are often added during application. Synergists like glycerin help improve the absorption and spread of antibiotics. These compounds have strong hygroscopic properties, extending the effective period of the antibiotic and promoting hydration of the plant's outer layer, thereby increasing leaf permeability. Metal ions, such as copper sulfate, can form complexes with antibiotics, significantly boosting their efficacy. For instance, adding 1% to 2% copper sulfate to a compound of endoxan can increase its retention time on plants and improve disease resistance.
Several key agricultural antibiotics are currently in use:
Jinggangmycin is effective against root rot in melons and can be applied as a solution ranging from 20 to 100 ppm. It has a strong systemic effect and remains active for 20 to 35 days, with no phytotoxicity and low toxicity.
Griseofulvin is used to control melon wilt. A 5% to 10% ointment can be applied to the stem, once weekly for 3 to 5 times. For fruit rot, a 250 ppm solution can be sprayed before symptoms appear.
Gentamicin is commonly used to treat powdery mildew in wheat, melons, and flowers. A spray of 50 to 150 ppm is recommended.
Actinomycin, also known as Nongkang 101, is used to control cherry leaf spot with a 0.5 to 2 ppm solution. It has strong systemic absorption and a long-lasting effect in plants but may cause phytotoxicity. It is also toxic to humans and animals, causing skin and mucous membrane irritation. It should not be mixed with alkaline pesticides.
According to the China Pesticide Network, streptomycin can be sprayed at 50 to 100 ppm to control bacterial diseases in crops. Bacterial soft rot can be treated with a 50 ppm solution. For treating plant seeds affected by bacterial diseases, a 50 to 100 ppm solution is applied for 30 to 60 minutes.
These antibiotics provide a sustainable and effective alternative to traditional chemical pesticides, offering a safer and more environmentally friendly approach to crop protection. As research continues, the development and application of agricultural antibiotics will play an increasingly important role in modern agriculture.
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