Magnitude and frequency of pesticide residues in farmgate samples of cauliflower in Punjab, India.

Fifty samples of cauliflowers were collected from intensive vegetable growing areas in Punjab during 2007-08 to determine the magnitude and frequency of pesticidal contamination. The estimation of pesticide residues representing three major chemical groups i.e. organochlorine, organophosphorus and pyrethroids was done by using a multiresidue analytical methodology employing GC-ECD and GC-FTD systems with capillary columns and confirmed by GC-MS. Forty-two per cent samples were found to be contaminated with low but measurable amounts of residues. Among the three chemical groups, the organophosphates were dominant followed by organochlorines and pyrethroids. However, none of the samples were found to contain the residues of these insecticides above their respective maximum residue limits (MRL). On the basis of these limited observations, it is suggested that more extensive surveillance studies covering major cauliflower growing areas in the state be carried out to know the status of contamination, which may serve as a base for the national regulatory authorities to decide future policy of chemical use on vegetables.