Degradation of Dicofol and Chlorpyrifos Residues in Kale Plots

Abstract

Degradation of Dicofol and Chlorpyrifos were studied in terms of time for the chemical degraded in organic plots, Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) plots, and controlled plots. Kale was chosen for the reference of annual crop to study the degradation in Chiang Mai and Sing Buri for 6 months. Dicofol had degraded within 2-3 months in control plot, 4-5 months in GAP plot and not detected in organic plot. Chlorpyrifos had degraded within 2 months in control plot, 4-5 months in GAP plot and not detected in organic plot. The pH of Kale plots was about Neutral to Slightly Alkaline. Understanding of the fate and behavior of pesticides under tropical conditions was important both in agronomical and environmental terms. The results can used as a scientific data base to determine time for appropriated transition periods of conventional agriculture to organic production in Thailand.