Aldicarb residues in potatoes

Insecticidal schedule involving application of aldicarb (Temik) granules for the control of aphid vectors at first earthing time were evaluated for residues. It was observed from the data of two crop seasons (autumn & spring) that excessive residues of aldicarb persisted upto 55 days during spring from both the dosages and 55 and 60 days respectively from 1.0 and 1.5 kg. a.i./ha dose in autumn on/in unwashed and unpeeled potatoes. At normal harvest which was done on 70th day following the aldicarb application to the soil, residues were well within the tolerance limit of 1.0 ppm even on/in unwashed and unpeeled potatoes. Washing and peeling of such potatoes could bring down this toxicant to a considerable extent while washing, boiling and peeling of potatoes eliminated aldicarb residues to the non-detectability levels.