Determination of pesticide residue levels in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) monech) plots by LC-MS/MS

Studies on the impact of IPM and non-IPM practices were undertaken during rabi season 2018-19 at College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh with an objective of estimating the pesticide residue levels in fruits harvested from okra plots. IPM plot of okra includes common IPM practices and need based sequential application of botanicals and bioagents. Whereas, sequential spraying of synthetic pesticides was undertaken in non-IPM plot of okra. Levels of pesticide residues in the okra fruits obtained from IPM and non-IPM plots was estimated at Pesticide Residue and Food Quality Analysis Laboratory (PRFQAL), University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka. The residues of imidachloprid (6.7 ppm), thiomethoxam (3.8 ppm), flubendiamide (7.9 ppm), chlorantraniliprole (6.5 ppm) were identified in the harvested okra fruits from non-IPM plot which are far above the maximum residue limits (MRL), however no pesticides were detected in the okra fruits from IPM plot.