Plant Soil Environ., 2021, 67(6):353-359 | DOI: 10.17221/46/2021-PSE

Dynamics of herbicides degradation in carrot (Daucus carota L.) roots and leavesOriginal Paper

Jaroslav Šuk¹, Kateřina Hamouzová¹, Jana Hajšlová², Miroslav Jursík ORCID...^*,1

¹ Department of Agroecology and Biometeorology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

² Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

This research had two main aims. First, to analyse the degradation dynamics of herbicides commonly used in carrot (aclonifen, clomazone, flufenacet, linuron, metribuzin, pendimethalin, S-metolachlor). Second, to compare the amount of herbicide residues with the maximum residue level and with requirements of non-residual production. The field experiments were conducted in 2012-2016. All tested herbicides resulted in relatively low concentrations of residues in carrot roots (up to 10 µg/kg) when the recommended withdrawal period was followed between application and harvest. The concentration of S-metolachlor in carrot roots exceeded the maximal residual limit (MRL) if the application was carried out four days before harvest. The measured values of other tested herbicide residues in carrot roots did not exceed the MRL in any of the tested samples. Pre-emergent use of clomazone, linuron and flufenacet could be recommended for non-residue carrot production. Post-emergent use of metribuzin can be used for non-residue carrot production if the interval between application and harvest is at least 80 days. Concentrations of herbicide residues in carrot leaves were many times higher than in roots. All tested herbicides can be applied for safe carrot production if applicators adhere to the requirements for use.

Keywords: vegetable; pesticide; contamination; non-residue production; weed control

Published: June 30, 2021  Show citation