Persistence and Dissipation Kinetics of λ-Cyhalothrin in Okra Fruits and Soil
Bhupender Singh
*
SNIATTE, Directorate of Extension Education, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India.
Ram Karan Gaur
KVK, Rohtak, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India.
Anil Jakhar
Department of Entomology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India.
Reena Chauhan
Department of Entomology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India.
Akshay Kumar
Department of Entomology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Understanding pesticide residue levels in food items and soil is crucial for ensuring food safety. In this context, a study on persistence and dissipation kinetics of λ-cyhalothrin residues in okra fruits and soil was conducted for two consecutive years. λ-cyhalothrin was applied in okra at the recommended dose (15 g a.i. ha-¹) and double dose (30 g a.i. ha-¹). Okra fruit and soil samples were collected at different intervals after second spray and the residues were estimated using GC-MS/MS. The initial residue level in okra fruits was higher at double dose and declined gradually falling below the limit of quantification (0.01 mg kg-¹) within 7 to 10 days of application. Dissipation followed first-order kinetics, with half-life of 2.17 to 2.43 days. In soil, the initial residues dropped below the limit of quantification within 3 to 5 days of application. Since the initial residue levels in both okra fruits and soil were below the corresponding EU–MRL (0.2 mg kg-1), λ-cyhalothrin can be safely used in okra cultivation.
Keywords: Okra, persistence, dissipation, λ-cyhalothrin, half-life, residues, GC-MS/MS