Evaluation of the environmental impact of the pesticides applied in processing tomato cropping

Reducing the quantity of pesticides is the main objective of integrated pest management. However, this concept requires assessing environmental impact of pesticides. Among several proposed methods, none being exhaustive, the rating system of the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) (Kovach et al., 1992, updated 1999) allows a relatively simple evaluation of the non-intentional impact of different pesticides spray programmes on the environment. This EIQ index was used to estimate the impact of spray programmes applied in a European research project aimed at improving the management of processing tomato crop (QUALITOM). This research programme was conducted on ten sites, nine which are distributed in the northern Mediterranean arc. Significant differences in EIQ values between treatment programmes were observed. The analysis showed that the strongest impact resulted from fungicides, particularly copper and sulphur. Although the range of variations was large, there was no close correlation between the EIQ values calculated and the number of pesticide sprays. The impact of pesticides on farm workers and consumers varied according to the treatment programmes, but was lower than on non-human organisms. These results should be taken into consideration to adapt spray decision rules within the scope of integrated production of processing tomato.