Insecticide Toxicity and Pesticide Residues in Horticultural Crops

Pesticide-risk-analysis (PRA) is a key area in toxicology with wider relevance to horticultural crops. Though the pesticide consumption is comparatively low in developing countries like India, than developed nations, the unscrupulous and unscientific usage is the culprit. This makes commodities laden with pesticides exceeding the permissible limits, posing potential problem to human health and the non-targets. Reduced-risk pesticides with PHI, biosafety aspects to pollinators, safe waiting periods must be given due importance, and control interventions must be initiated based on Economic Threshold Level (ETL). Role of GAP in PRA is deliberated, with relevant information and examples. Robust crop management practices and good agricultural practices, vigilant monitoring system is necessary. Rapid in situ techniques must be developed to residues and contaminants in the concerned commodities. It is assumed that a strong extension system supported by ICT sector is necessary to accomplish the task.