Status of Herbicide Residues in Haryana

Abstract

We reviewed the status of major herbicides used by the farmers in different cropping sequences of Haryana state by standardization of methodologies following suitable protocols for residues estimation in major environmental components like soil, underground water and crop products. In monitoring experiments at farmers’ field, it was observed that residues of sulfosulfuron, butachlor, anilofos, clodinafop, pendimethalin, meso-iodosulfuron and ethoxysulfuron were below the maximum residue limit (MRL), except pretilachlor in rice grains, straw and underground water samples. Dissipation behavior of pendimethalin, atrazine, metribuzin, oxadiargyl, oxyfluorfen, pretilachlor, butachlor, anilofos, imazethapyr and imazamox showed variable half-life period in soil from 1 day to more than a month. In subtropical humid climatic conditions of Haryana, the harvest time herbicide residues in soil and various commodities were found either below the detectable limits or below MRL except for imazethapyr and imazamox. Pretilachlor showed leaching and desorption potential at higher dose. Imazethapyr and imazamox showed poor leaching potential. It can be concluded that the application of herbicides for weed management at recommended doses following good agricultural practices does not cause herbicide residues problem in food commodities and environment, and therefore, can be considered safe for weed management in different crops.