Assessment of pesticide use by determination of environmental indicators: case study of watermelon from Loukkos (Northwest Morocco)

The Loukkos large perimeter is one of the most important agricultural regions in Morocco, characterized by intensive agricultural activities. It encompasses several agricultural activities, such as the cultivation of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.), which is one of the crops that receives the most pesticides in this zone. The intensive use of pesticides has certainly led to significant increases in yields by reducing multiple pest attacks and diseases that cause product damage and significant economic losses. Nonetheless, such widespread use has consequences for both human health and the environment. In this context, we evaluated the intensity of pesticide use on the watermelon crop and the impacts of the pesticides on the environment and human health using currently applied pesticide pressure indicators, including the number of treatments (NT), the treatment frequency indicator (TFI), and the quantity of active substances indicator (QASI), through survey data collected from a sample of 41 randomly selected farms. This study is part of a large program to update information on pesticides and promote safer use of them as well as to develop guidance and regulation for their application. The results showed that watermelon cultivation is under pressure from many diseases and pests, including powdery mildew, downy mildew, leafminers, and mites. These surveys revealed that a diversity of pesticide products was used on the watermelon crop. Regarding the quantification of the pesticides used, our results show that NT = 26.54, QASI = 14.76 kg/ha, and TFI = 28.46. Further studies using health and environmental risk indicators will be required in the future to complete this study. On the other hand, the progress made in Morocco regarding environmental security, which is judged worldwide through the use of sustainability indicators, will allow the rapid multiplication of the means of controlling pesticide use and the sustainable use of pesticides for future generations. This commitment has been translated at the Moroccan level into the strengthening of varietal and environmental research and into the programs of the National Food Safety Office (ONSSA) since its creation in 2009 and other compartments.