Safety Evaluation of Lambda-cyhalothrin and Quinalphos in Mango (Mangifera indica L.)

Persistence of lambda-cyhalothrin and quinalphos in mango (cv. Dashehari) following their foliar application is reported. Lambda-cyhalothrin and quinalphos dissipated from 2.01 and 3.45 mg kg^–1 and 1.52 and 2.78 mg kg^–1 at 0 d to 0.07 and 0.11 mg kg^–1 and 0.15 and 0.26 mg kg^–1 at 15 and 22 d of their application at single and double doses, respectively. No residue of these insecticides was detected in mature fruit and its pulp at the time of harvest. The rate of dissipation followed first-order exponential kinetics with half-lives of 3 d for lambda-cyhalothrin and 7 d for quinalphos. Based on their MRL values of 0.5 and 0.02 mg kg^–1, pre harvest intervals of 5.0 and 7.5 d for lambda-cyhalothrin and 42 and 48 d for quinalphos were suggested at the two respective rates of application. The theoretical maximum residue contribution (TMRC) values for both the insecticides were found below the maximum permissible intake (MPI) values on fruit. The residues of both the insecticides are harmless to consumers if sprayed at single dose and following the suggested PHI before consumption.