Forty six farm gate samples of seasonal vegetables namely cauliflower (6), cabbage (6), pea (10), brinjal (1), okra (4), tomato (1), bitter-gourd (4), smooth-gourd (4) and chilly (green and red) (10) were monitored for residues of different insecticides applied during their growth period. Residues of monocrotophos, quinalphos, BHC isomers, DDT analogues and endosulian were found in cauliflower, cabbage and pea peel samples whereas pea grain samples were found to contain monocrotophos and quinalphos. Only one sample of cabbage out of the six analysed contained 0.230 mg kg−1 of monocrotophos which was above the MRL value (0.2 mg kg−1)-Residues of monocrotophos and endosulfan were found in one sample of brinjal. Samples of green and red chillies were contaminated with aldrin and dimethoate. Phosphamidon and malathion residues were found in green chillies only. Residues of dimethoate were found in tomato, and monocrotophos residues below detectable level were found in the 12 samples of summer vegetables i.e. okra, bitter-gourd and smooth-gourd. The incidence as well as level of contamination of pesticides has decreased significantly as compared to previous years.
monitoring, pesticides, residues, vegetables, organochlorine, organophosphorus
