Comparative analysis of pesticide residue levels in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) treated with drone and knapsack sprayers analyzed by LC-MS/MS

Abstract

Indiscriminate insecticide use on vegetable crops results in pest resistance and harmful residues in produce, impacting human health and ecosystems. To reduce pesticide residues on brinjal crops, investigations were conducted utilizing drone sprayers for brinjal pest management during the rabi season of 2023-24 at the College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Following the application of insecticides namely, Chlorantraniliprole, Flubendiamide, Thiacloprid, and Imidacloprid against major pests of brinjal via drone and knapsack spraying methodologies, the brinjal fruits were subsequently harvested and subjected to a comprehensive pesticide residue analysis at Food Quality Analysis Laboratory (PRFQAL) at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka. The results indicated that Pesticide residue analysis of fruits drawn from 100% RDP through drone treated plots showed undetectable residues falling below the quantifiable limits except for thiacloprid which recorded 0.031 mg/kg while, the fruits harvested from 100% RDP through knapsack sprayed plots exhibited detectable pesticide residues: Flubendiamide at 0.036 mg/kg, Thiacloprid at 0.062 mg/kg, and Imidacloprid at 0.017 mg/kg but they remained below the MRLs established by the FSSAI.