Analysis of the Carbofuran Pesticide Residue in the Banana PlantedSoil of Wayanad District, Kerala

摘要

Wayanad is a fertile highland of greeneiy in Kerala state. It is noted for its less atmospheric pollution compared to other parts of the state. Most of the people in Wayanad depend on agriculture for their living. However, recently the unscientific and increased use of harmful pesticides in banana plantation is noted in the district in connection with efforts of the farmers to enhance the productivity. This resulted in the boosted production but also in the tragic increase in the number of cancer patients, according to recent surveys. The present study was undertaken to detect and estimate the amount of the carbofuran in the banana planted soil of Wayanad district. The locations for the collection of the soil samples were selected on the basis of two factors such as the extent of use and soil types of widely varying physico-chemical properties. The recovery of carbofuran from the soil varied from 11.7 to 43.76 mg/L. Extraction and quantification of pesticide residues from the soil was carried out by using optimized cleaning procedures and concentration methods using HPLC(High Performance Liquid Chromatography). Most of the soil samples contained carbofuran in varying concentrations. The amount of carbofuran retained from the soil from five different places in the district varied in the order Periya>Varayal>Vengoor->Alattil> Thavinjal. This result could be very well correlated with the organic matter content of the soil from the respective place. Other factors such as manuring of the soil, moisture content, climatic conditions and temperature (below 35°C) etc. were also examined for possible correlations but none of them was found to be directly influencing the presence and persistence of carbofuran in the soil.