Pesticide Residues in select components of an Agroecosystem adopting organic and conventional farming in Padayetti Village, Palakkad District, Kerala

Abstract

The ever increasing human population and the corresponding demand for food have forced the producers to intensify their efforts to increase the productivity. Among the grain crops, paddy is the highest pesticide consuming crop in India. Increasing awareness on health and many environmental issues associated with the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to interest in alternate methods of agricultural farming which are environment-friendly and economically feasib le. The Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) through Department of environment and Climate Change (DoEee) launched a demonstration project known as "Granary of Kerola" in Palakkad district in 2009 to conserve biodiversity associated with agroecosystems by totally avoiding chemical inputs in agriculture. To protect the paddy crop from weeds, insects and diseases, pesticides such as insecticides, herbicides and fungicides are used. Moreover, determination of pesticide residues in paddy has become increasingly essential for consumers, producers and authorities responsible for quality control. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate pesti cide residues in different environmental components adopting two different types of cultivation methods, namely organic and conventional.