Effect of spraying selected pesticides on the contents of specified minerals in cabbage.

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of spraying of pesticides on the content of minerals in cabbage harvested at varying waiting periods (0, 7, 14 and 21 days) after spraying. The amounts of phosphorus and zinc in cabbage were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased while those of iron, calcium and potassium were significantly (p < 0.05) increased by the sprayings of pesticides. At varying waiting periods after the spraying of pesticides calcium, phosphorus, zinc and potassium contents of cabbage were found to be decreased remarkably (p < 0.05) while the content of iron was increased significantly (p < 0.05). Between the two pesticides, the spraying of endosulfan exerted a more pronounced effect in altering the contents of minerals than the spraying of malathion.