Abstract
All intensive agriculture, like periurban agriculture, uses massive inputs such as agrochemicals. This study aims to assess the environmental impacts of agrochemical use in periurban agriculture in Togo. It was based on the chemical analyses of soil, water and vegetable samples. These analyses were carried out by gas chromatography on extracts from soil, water and vegetable samples. In soil samples, the concentrations of pesticide residues are lower than 20 µg/kg of dry material. For water samples, contamination levels vary from 0.02 to 1.1 µg/L ofdry material with the highest levels for metalaxyl M (1.1 µg/L) and for dimethoate (1 µg/L). In vegetables, the concentrations measured are between 0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg of dry material. All these concentrations are affected by a positive factor of the maximum limits of residues. These agrochemicals, coupled with periurban environmental management led to the high concentrations of trace elements. Lead and cadmium concentrations in water are 10 and 21 times respectively higher than the maximum concentration allowable for drinking water by the WHO. The study showed that inappropriate use of agrochemicals in Togolese periurban agriculture creates ecological disturbances that could affect produce quality. Key words: Togo, periurban agriculture, agrochemicals, pesticide residues, trace element
Highlights
Periurban agriculture has known very rapid growth in West Africa since Independence and allows meeting the supply of urban centres with fresh vegetables (Delamarche, 2007; Mougeot, 2005; Bouzid et al, 2005; Pélissier, 2000)
It is clear that the absorption of pesticide residues present in market garden produce may present a risk of poisoning when consumption is associated with a regular intake in small doses (Kamdem and Fofiri, 2008)
This study allows us to state that agrochemical application could pollute agro products like vegetables, and could be present in the soil and groundwater
Summary
Periurban agriculture has known very rapid growth in West Africa since Independence and allows meeting the supply of urban centres with fresh vegetables (Delamarche, 2007; Mougeot, 2005; Bouzid et al, 2005; Pélissier, 2000). It is a catalyst for job creation and generates substantial income for different stakeholders. In Togo, studies carried out to the present only deal with agricultural production and its commercial implications (Kanda, 2003; Talaki, 2002; Schilter, 1991a, b). These studies have tackled the use of pesticides, substances which have become indispensable to most agricultural practices, without assessing their environmental implications. This study aims to deepen knowledge on the eventual drawbacks of the use of agrochemicals in the gardening agriculture in Togo on the environment and the quality of vegetable products
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