Potential of Soil Amendments in Reducing Fipronil Residues in Soil, Ground Water and Rice Crop under Sub-tropical Field Conditions

Efficacy of the soil amendments cereal straw (CS) and fresh cow dung (FCD) in reducing fipronil residues in soil, groundwater and rice crop under the sub-tropical field conditions is reported. The fipronil 0.3 G was applied at the rate of 25g a.i.ha⁻¹ and its residues were analysed using HPLC. Although both the amendments were helpful in reducing leaching of fipronil to groundwater as compared to the control, FCD was more effective with lesser leaching of the pesticide. The residues of the pesticide were detected in soil, water and straw but were within the recommended limits (MRL: 0.01 to 0.2 μg g⁻¹ in different commodities). In rice grains, the level of fipronil residues was below detection limit (<0.002 μg g⁻¹).