DETERMINATION OF INSECTICIDE RESIDUES IN POMEGRANATE FRUITS

The residues of endosulfan and malathion were estimated in/on fruits of pomegranate 1,3, 7 and 15 days after insecticide spray at Horticultural Research Station, Yercaud. The initial deposit of endosulfan and malathion in/on fruits were 4.118, 6.149, 4.302 and 6.103 ppm for sprays of endosulfan at 0.07 and 0.14 per cent, malathion 0.1 and 0.2 per cent respectively. The safe waiting periods for the harvest of fruits after the spray of endosulfan and malathion at recommended doses were 2.58 and 0.94 days respectively. More than 99 per cent of residues dissipated within 15 days after the spray of endosulfan and within 7 days after the spray of malathion.