Effect of Decontamination Processes on Insecticide Residues on Cauliflower

Residues of endosulfan, fenvalerate, and monocrotophos applied @ 500, 75, and 350 g a.i./ha on cauliflower crop dissipated by 99.34, 71.31, and 81.79%, respectively on leaves, and 100, 87.44, and 95.27%, respectively on curds in 15 days. These insecticides at 1000, 150, and 700 g a.i./ha receded to 98.35, 77.48, and 84.11%, respectively on leaves, and 100, 82.86 and 91.60%, respectively on curds in 15 days. The half-life values were 2.2, 9.1, and 6.5 days for endosulfan, fenvalerate, and monocrotophos respectively. Deposits were below the FAO/WHO tolerance limits for endosulfan and fenvalerate. Monocrotophos required a waiting period of 103 days. Cooking after washing mitigated 5 day old residues by 94.49 (95.68), 37.97 (1.30), 11.64% (6.82) from single (double) rates of application of endosulfan, fenvalerate, and monocrotophos, respectively.