Effect of different pesticide application methods on spray deposits, residues and biological efficacy on strawberries

In agricultural food production, positive results can be obtained by using appropriate pesticides through the application of appropriate methods. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of different spraying methods on spray deposits and drift, pesticide residues and biological efficacy on strawberries. For this purpose, strawberries were sprayed with dicofol by broadcast and band spraying. The effectiveness of different application methods was studied on 09 May, 2007 and 16 April, 2008. Broadcast sprayings were applied via hollow cone nozzles (HC) and air-assisted spinning cage nozzles (ASC). Band spraying was applied via flat fan nozzles (FF). Pesticide deposits on leaf surfaces, ground, drift and pesticide residues on strawberries were analyzed with Gas Chromatography/Electron capture detector (GC/ECD). Strawberries were analyzed based on dicofol residues up to 6 days after spraying. The results obtained showed that the highest pesticide deposits on leaf surfaces and also biological efficiency were obtained with FF in 2007 and 2008. The lowest pesticide deposits on ground were obtained by HC and the highest deposit of drift was obtained by ASC in 2007 and 2008. According to Commission Directive 2000/42/EC, the MRL's of dicofol on strawberry is 0.02 mg/kg. In this study, residues on strawberries for all types of nozzles were below the suggested maximum residue level (MRL) of dicofol by Commission Directive 2000/42/EC in 2007 and 2008. © 2011 Academic Journals