Environmental Risk Indicators for Weed Management: A Case Study of Ecotoxicity Assessment Using Fuzzy Logic

Abstract

Herbicide use is a key element in the current intensification of agriculturalproduction systems that usually leads to increases in crop yield. However,development of theoretical frameworks and tools is necessary to allow for environmentalassessment of herbicides. In this chapter, we present a series of elements thatshould be considered for designing these types of tools. In addition, we describe thestructure of RIPEST, a simple model based on fuzzy logic that evaluates the ecotoxicologicalhazard of pesticides (herbicides, fungicides and insecticides). RIPESTwas run using a time series of pesticide use and actual soybean yields from Argentina.Results from this cropping system assessment allows for discussion of the ecotoxicologicalrisk of herbicide use, in particular, and pesticides, in general.