Effect of Planting Season on the Residue of Organophosphate in Chili (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

Background: Pesticide residues harm human health and are associated with hemopoietic disorders and many organ cancers. This study analyzes the pesticide residue content in chili cultivated by farmers in rainy and dry seasons, especially for organophosphates pesticides. The residual difference in chili was affected by planting seasons caused by farmers’ adoption of crop cultivation technologies, including pesticide application. Methods: The analysis was carried out using gas chromatography on 26 samples from 13 chili cultivation locations in Aceh province, Indonesia. Sixteen samples were harvested during the rainy season and the remaining ten were harvested during the dry season. Result: The results showed that pesticide residues were found in two red chili samples planted in the rainy season, while no residue was found from the dry season. In the rainy season’s harvested samples, the Organophosphate pesticide residues were chlorpyrifos 0.52 mg kg-1 and 0.16 mg kg-1 at Mutiara Tiga sub-district and Meurebo sub-district, respectively. From Meurebo sub-district profenofos 0.74 mg kg-1 was found. All detected pesticide residues samples are still below the maximum residue limit (MRL) set by the Government of Indonesia and CODEX Alimentarius.