A survey based on the use of imidacloprid on green leafy vegetables in remotely located Sagar, India

Abstract

The low literacy level of the vegetable growers in the selected region of India is responsible for the use of highly toxic organophosphate pesticides on green leafy vegetables. Although in the Indian market imidacloprid (less toxic) is available but due to its high price and less effectiveness compared to that of organophosphates is not preferred to control pests on green leafy vegetables. The present research is a survey-based study designed to know the insecticide management practice among insecticide dealers, vegetable growers and comparison of obtained information with chromatographic results. The combination of survey and instrumental method (micellar liquid chromatographic technique) was utilized to determine whether the information collected from vegetable growers and insecticide dealers were similar and signicantly correlated with analytical data or not. Among the selected 48 samples of green leafy vegetables, imidacloprid was detected only in 6 samples. The survey of the insecticide dealers and vegetable growers conrmed that the vegetable growers used toxic organophosphates pesticides instead of less toxic imidacloprid. Survey data collected from vegetable growers and pesticide dealers were also tested by chromatographic method and a signicant correlation was found between them, which clearly demonstrates the minimum use of safe insecticide (imidacloprid). Imidacloprid insecticide was detected on green leafy vegetables after a preliminary survey of vegetable growers and pesticide dealers. Survey results revealed the use of potentially harmful pesticides other than imidacloprid which are banned from using in vegetables. Analytical results showed signicantly less use of imidacloprid on green leafy vegetables.