CATEGORIES OF CHEMICALS USED CONT'

HERBICIDE - is a chemical used to get rid of unwanted plant life such as; weeds, bushes or trees. Many are synthetic and can be toxic to "good" plants, as well as to animals and humans, while there are organic varieties, it is important to read the labels carefully. Herbicides are available in two main types: non-selective and selective. The non-selective variety is used to kill all growth or for clearing large or heavily overgrown areas. Selective herbicide is used to target certain types of plant life to curb growth, usually through some type of hormone disruption, and should not affect other plants. If not used properly or protective gears are not worn, herbicides can cause burning, irritation in eyes, nose, and throat; nosebleeds; coughing; muscle cramps; muscle weakness; blisters; and stomach cramps.

INSECTICIDES- are chemicals used to control insects by killing them or preventing them from engaging in behaviours deemed undesirable or destructive. They are classified based on their structure and mode of action. Many insecticides act upon the nervous system of the insect while others act as growth regulators or endotoxins. Insecticides are applied in various formulations and delivery systems (e.g., sprays, baits, slow-release diffusion). Mobilization of insecticides can transpire via runoff, either dissolved or absorbed to soil particles, atmospheric deposition (primarily spray drift), or sub-surface flow. Some insecticides are gathered by aquatic organisms and transferred to their predators. Insecticides are designed to be lethal to insects, so they pose a particular risk to aquatic insects, but they also affect other aquatic invertebrates and fish. If inhale or ingested insecticides can cause sweating, headache, flu-like symptoms, blurred vision, sleepiness, and vomiting.

PESTICIDES – is a chemical or biological substance intended for attracting, seducing and destroying any pests that damage or interfere with the growth of plants, shrubs and trees. Practically all chemical pesticides, are poisons and pose long term danger to the environment and humans through their persistence in nature and body tissue. Most of the pesticides are non-specific, and may kill life forms that are harmless or useful. Pesticides can be classified based upon their biological mechanism function or application method, systemic pesticide moves inside a plant following absorption by the plant. Pesticides may cause acute and delayed health effects in people who are exposed. Pesticide exposure can cause a variety of adverse health effects, ranging from simple irritation of the skin and eyes to more severe effects such as affecting the nervous system, mimicking hormones causing reproductive problems, and also causing cancer.

Can you differentiate chemicals?

CATEGORIES OF CHEMICALS USED

There are a various types of chemicals however not all are used for landscaping, the commonly used types are; algaecides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and pesticides.

ALGAECIDES- is a chemical treatment for swimming pools, fish ponds, and other water features that kills algae, which is a very small organisms that grow in water or very damp environments. Algae in pools and ponds can cause the water to become cloudy and in some cases, can form a scum over the surface that blocks sunlight from the water. Usually, their presence unsightly, but it can also be dangerous, certain kinds of algae give off toxins that can be hazardous to humans, fish, and plants. Commercial algaecide is a quick and easy way to remove algae from your pool or pond. When it's used in a swimming pool, it allows for less chlorine to be use or water purifiers, resulting in water that is more pleasant to swim in, without the stinging eyes and nose that too much chlorine can cause.

FUNGICIDES- are biocidal chemical compound or biological organism used to kill any group of unicellular or syncytial spore producing organisms that feeds on organic matter including; molds, yeast, mushrooms, moss and toadstools (fungi). Fungi can cause serious damage in landscaping resulting in losses of quality, and profit. Fungicides can be bought retail in liquid and powdered form. A very common active ingredient is sulphur, present at 0.08% in weaker concentrates, and as high as 0.5% for more potent fungicides. Fungicides in powdered form are usually around 90% sulphur and are very toxic. Other active ingredients in fungicides includes; neem oil, rosemary oil, jojoba oil, copper and bacterium Bacillus subtilis.

When a swimming pool is turning green what do you do?

CHEMICALS

Chemicals have an important role in land management and protecting plants from damage caused by insect, pests, weeds or disease. Chemicals consist of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and pest animal baits. Chemical agents such as fungicides and insecticides are used to control organisms (e.g., fungi, nematodes, mites, insects, and rodents) or viruses.

Chemicals are classified as follows by application target.

A Insecticides	Agents for controlling harmful insect pests that damage field crops.
B Fungicides	Agents for controlling diseases that damage field crops.
C Insect-fungicides	Agents that simultaneously control harmful insect pests and diseases that damage field crops.
D Herbicides	Agents for controlling weeds
E Rodenticides	Agents for controlling rats and other rodents
F Plant growth regulators	Agents to promote or inhibit the growth of field crops.
G Attractants	Agents that attract mainly harmful insect pests by odor or other means.
H Repellents	Agents for having repellent action on harmful mammals and birds that damage field crops.
I Spreaders	Agents that are mixed with other agricultural chemicals to enhance the adherence of these chemicals.

To protect yourself from chemical exposure, you need to understand the ways in which chemicals can enter your body.  Chemicals can enter through the nose by breathing in dusts or fumes, the mouth by swallowing, through the skin or eyes causing rashes or burns. The skin could become red and itchy, and blisters may form. Eye redness and soreness can be caused from splashing a chemical in the eyes or rubbing the eyes with a hand or clothing that has chemicals on it. Skin rashes and eye irritation can become serious injuries and need to be treated by a doctor.

Safe practices for handling Chemicals are as follows; Wear protective clothing, wash protective clothing such as gloves and boots, before taking them off. Wash work clothes separately from other laundry, using detergent and hot water, before wearing them again. Wash hands and arms after putting work clothes into the wash. Shower with soap and water, and shampoo your hair after work each day. Always wash face and hands with soap and water before eating, drinking, smoking, or using the toilet.

Do you wear Personal Protective Equipment when using chemicals?

TRACE ELEMENTS (MICRO NUTRIENTS)

Trace elements or micro nutrients are required by plants throughout its life in small quantities to orchestrate a range of physiological functions. Micro nutrients are essential for plant growth, photo-synthesis, respiration, the synthesis of enzymes, in the transport and transfer of molecules within the plant’s cells, tissues and other functions. The micro nutrients contain iron (Fe), boron (B), chloride (Cl), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and molybdenum (Mo) etc. Micro nutrients also contains vitamins which are organic compounds required as nutrients in trace amounts. Whenever micro nutrients are in limited availability, best produce will be obtained if apply together with the main fertiliser elements. Micro-elements may be applied via the soil, foliar spray or infusion into a tree’s stem. The application technique should be adapted to the plant’s characteristics.

Micro nutrients deficiencies manifest themselves as changes in the tissue’s colour, as leaf spots, deformities in the plants’ organs and abnormal development: Small leaves, deformed leaves, fruit and short internodes.

Can you tell if your plants have micro nutrients deficiencies?

FERTILISERS (MACRO ELEMENTS)

Fertilisers are combinations of the nutrients that plants must have to grow, in a form they can use. The primary nutrients in fertilizers are three essential elements: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), which are often combined into an NPK blend, other elements includes sulphur (S), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg).  Fertilisers are any solid, liquid or gaseous substances which contains one or more plant nutrients in a percentage. It can be applied to the soil directly, on the plant (leaves) or added to aqueous solutions (as in fertigation) to maintain soil fertility, improve plant development, yield and/or plant quality. 

The purpose of fertiliser is specifically for healthier plants, it enhance the natural soil nutrient and build up soil fertility in order to satisfy the demand of the plant.  Fertilisers are classified into two major forms: organic and mineral manufactured. There are two types of combinations which are mixed fertilizers and bulk-blends. This is a  physical mixture of two or more single-nutrient or multi-nutrient fertilisers and complex fertilisers are products in which two or more of the nutrients are chemically combined (e.g. nitrophosphates, ammonium phosphates). The nutrient can be released by quick-acting water-soluble and immediately available; slow-acting transformation into soluble form required, e.g. direct application of phosphate rock; controlled-release by coating or stabilised by inhibitors.

Can you tell if your plant is in need of fertiliser? 

ANALYSING THE SOIL

A soil test is commonly refer to the analysis of a soil sample to determine nutrient content, composition, and other characteristics such as the acidity or pH level. The most crucial step in soil testing is collecting the sample. 

Identify the area that will be represented by the sample. The soil physical appearance, texture, color, slope, drainage, and past management should be similar throughout the area. Use a clean bucket and a spade or an auger to collect 12 or more sub samples to a depth of 6 -8 inches (4 - 6 inches for turf) from random spots within the defined area. Avoid sampling field or plot edges, when the soil is very wet or within six to eight weeks after a lime or fertilizer application. Next, break up any lumps or clods of soil, remove stones, roots, debris, and then thoroughly mix sub samples together. Once the sample is thoroughly mixed, scoop out approximately one cup of soil and spread on a clean sheet of paper to air-dry. Do not use wet soil samples for testing. 

Place approximately one cup of dry sample in a plastic zip-lock bag, include the estimated area represented by each sample. This information is useful and will be reported back with the results. Be sure to specify a Plant Code for each sample; without a Plant Code, the lime and nutrient recommendations cannot be made. 

Do you think you can conduct a soil analysis?

OTHER TYPES OF SOIL

CHALK SOIL - are highly variable and range from gravelly to clay-like. The clay-like element may in fact be finely divided calcium carbonate making it very poor for plant growth. However where true clay is present in the soil, nutrient levels may be higher and the water holding capacity greater. Chalky or lime-rich soil may be light or heavy but are largely made up of calcium carbonate and are very alkaline (they have a pH of 7.1-8.0). Very chalky soils may contain lumps of visible chalky white stones. Chalk soil is not suitable for elegantly coloured flowers such as rhododendrons but several varieties of bushes, lilacs and lilies will flourish.

PEATY SOIL – is a mixture of decomposed plant material which has accumulated in a water-saturated environment in the absence of oxygen, it is usually dark brown but it can also be black. The soil has a lot of organic material and is rich in water, which makes it one of the best types of soils for plants. Because of a high water and nutrient content, peaty soil keeps plants healthy even in dry weather and protects the plants from harm in rainy months. The water content of peaty soil is a little acidic but is good for controlling plant diseases and can be used to balance the pH level of other kinds of soils.

SALINE SOIL – is usually brackish because of its high salt content, it can stall plant growth, hinder germination, and cause difficulties in irrigation. The salinity is due to the accumulation of soluble salts therefore preventing water uptake by plants, resulting in drought stress. It’s easy enough to test for saline soil, there will be a white layer coating the surface of the soil, plants will be growing poorly and suffering from leaf tip burn, especially on young leaves.

Knowing where you stand with your soil helps you determine what fertilizers and amendments you need to add before you get started.

Can you identify soil types?