*Nuclear Research Laboratory, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012.
Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India
Online published on 15 December, 2011.
Fate of 14C-carbofuran was studied in a model ecosystem on maize plant. Carbofuran was applied through nutrient solution and direct application on leaves. Uptake from nutrient solution was rapid, 393% of applied activity was absorbed within 3 days. The concentration in shoot was less than roots and about 45–60% of the residues constituted water-soluble metabolites and their conjugates. The volatilization and insect pick up accounted for 11% of the applied activity.
Carbofuran was found to be quickly absorbed through leaf-surface and translocated downwards. In three days, 42% activity was lost from the leaves, out of which 4% was recovered from the roots, 1.8% released in the nutrient solution, 18.9% lost by volatilization and remaining in insect tissues and faeces.
