Residue and Risk Assessment of Spirotetramat in/on Apple

Persistence of spirotetramat and its metabolites is reported on apple fruit under field conditions at different locations of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir during 2015. Experiments conducted in four orchards in the two apple growing states revealed that at Matiana (2000 m above sea level), and Thanedhar (2200 m above sea level), both in H.P., spirotetramat sprayed twice at 20 d interval @ 150g (standard dose) and 300 (double dose) g a.i ha⁻¹ left initial deposits of 0.799–0.996 and 1.596–1.786 mg kg⁻¹ respectively on apple fruit. At harvest, the residues in fruits as well as the soil were below determination level of 0.05 mg kg⁻¹. Half-life (RL₅₀) was 1.90–2.02 and 2.00–2.32 d at the standard and double dose, respectively. No residues of spirotetramat-enol metabolite was detected. In J. & K., at Youngora (1600 m above sea level), and Lassipora (1800 m above sea level) harvest time residues were below determination level with no enol metabolite being detected. The data will enable establishment of maximum residue limits by the FSSAI and suggest a safe waiting period for harvesting apple fruit.