Pesticide Residues in Estonian Fruits and Berries Toivo Univer, Krista Tiirmaa, Neeme Univer Estonian University of Life Science of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Polli Horticultural Research Centre Merike Toome Agricultural Research Centre 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

It was 4 years project of the Estonian Agricultural Ministry Purpose of project Improve the quality of the food produced and consumed in Estonia In order to examine the use of pesticides in the production and distribution of contaminants in the environment, to determine their residues in fresh fruit and berries 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

Leader of the project was Polli Horticultural Research Centre Pesticide residue analysis were carried out in Agricultural Research Centre Laboratory for Residues and Contaminants 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

The test matrices were different apple and strawberry varieties that were grown in Estonia 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

Pesticide residues in apples (1) During the years 2010 to 2013 were collected and analyzed »26 apple samples » 8 soil samples » 4 plant material samples (grasses) 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

Pesticide residues in apples (2) The apple samples were collected in Southern Estonia and Saaremaa apple plantations The following pesticides(formulations) used in apple plantations: Decis 25 EC Fastac 50 Score 250 EC Chorus 75 WG Topas 100 EC Roundup Agil 100 EC 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

Pesticide residues in apples (3) Pesticide residues are found in 4 different apple samples A long period of time between the spraying and picking of apples/analysis (3 months), explaind the low levels of pesticide residues in apples. The apple samples were taken for organic gardens do not contain pesticide residues. 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia Pesticide residueResidue level, mg/kg MRL, mg/kg Cyprodinil0,0111,0 alpha-cypermethrin0,0301,0 Glyphosate0,0780,1

Pesticide residues in apples (4) But there is another problem Rainfall wiped pesticides tree leaves and fruits on the base of crown grasses and soils The herbicides sprayed on apple tree crown bases. In this case was used glyphosate The fallen apples in contact with contaminated grass and soil, and this is also due to the higher concentration of glyphosate ( 0,078 mg/kg). Pesticide residueResidue level in apples, mg/kg Residue level in grasses, mg/kg α-Cypermethrin0,0300,838 Cyprodinil0,0110,063 DifenoconazoleNot detected0,026 Glyphosate0,0780,698 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

Pesticide residues in apples (5) Pesticide residue spectrum, which was found in the soil, is much broader. In the soil was also found at several cereals used fungicide residues Even in very small quantities were found residues of DDT, use of which is prohibited in some 50 years. Pesticide residueResidue level in soil, mg/kg DDT0,225 Fenpropimorph<0,010 Glyphosate1,8 Propaquizafop<0,005 Spiroxamine0,005 Thiabendazole<0,05 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

Pesticide residues in strawberries (1) During the years 2011 to 2014 were collected and analyzed 50 strawberry samples from Southern Estonia and Harjumaa strawberry plantations 100 strawberry samples from experimental fields of Polli Horticultural Research Centre 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

Pesticide residues in strawberries (2) Pesticide residues in strawberry samples from strawberry plantations (1) 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

Pesticide residues in strawberries (3) Pesticide residues in strawberry samples from strawberry plantations (2) 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia YearPesticide residueResidue level in berries, mg/kg MRL, mg/kg 2011Boscalid, Pyroclostrobin 2012Picking strawberries in the first – boscalid Picking strawberries in the second - boscalid 0,021 ÷ 0,069 <0,010 ÷ 0, Boscalid 0,042 ÷ 0, Boscalid Pyroclostrobin 0,067 ÷ 1,346 <0,010 ÷ 0,167 10,0 1,0

Pesticide residues in strawberries (4) As we know the grey mould is the most dangerous disease of strawberry growing The strawberry growers use to control the disease the following formulations Signum (boscalid, pyroclostrobin) Switch 62,5 WG (cyprodinil, fludioxonil) The strawberry plantation is recommended to spray twice with formulation solutions Waiting time three days What to do to reduce this disease? 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

Pesticide residues in strawberries (5) The experiments with strawberries in the fields of Polli Horticultural Research Centre For the experiments used Three different varieties of strawberries Polka Sonata Rumba The formulation „Signum“ 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

Pesticide residues in strawberries (6) The experiments with strawberries in the fields (1) Experiments and results in 2012 –The test patch sprayed three times with formulation solution (1,15/ha in 400 l water) before the picking of the strawberries –The experiment did not reduce crop caused by the grey mould (5,3 ÷ 6,5% on avarage) –The level of boscalid residues were 0,011 ÷ 0,174 mg/kg –(MRL – 10,0 mg/kg) 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

Pesticide residues in strawberries (6) The experiments with strawberries in the fields (2) Experiments and results in 2013 (1) Formed experimental fields for different levels of spraying solutions Strawberries sprayed three times during picking Used two different concentrations of Signum spraying solutions – 1,8 kg/ha and 5,4 kg/ha 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

Pesticide residues in strawberries (7) The experiments with strawberries in the fields (3) Experiments and results in 2013 (2) Signum spraying solution – 1,8 kg/ha sprayd three times during strawberries picking For residue levels analysis collected 15 samples Boscalid residues increased levels (MRL 10,0 mg/kg) 4,731 mg/kg in „POLKA“ 1,989 mg/kg in „SONATA“ 1,248 mg/kg in „RUMBA“ Pyroclostrobin residue levels exceeded MRL (1,0 mg/kg) In two samples of „POLKA“ (1,54 mg/kg and 1,383 mg/kg) In one sample of „RUMBA“ (1,248 mg/kg) 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

Pesticide residues in strawberries (7) The experiments with strawberries in the field (4) –Experiments and results in 2013 (3) Signum spraying solution – 5,4 kg/ha sprayd three times during strawberries picking For residue levels analysis collected 46 samples 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia Varieties of strawberries Boscalid Pyroclostrobin Total number of samples Number of samples exceeded MRL Total number of samples Number of samples exceeded MRL POLKA141 4 SONATA151 3 RUMBA (6%)4610 (22%)

Pesticide residues in strawberries (8) The experiments with strawberries in the field (5) Experiments and results in 2014 The experiment continued. The aim was to determine the spray and rain/irrigation water between the effects of residues One part of the experimental fields was coated with a film Used two different concentrations of Signum spraying solutions – 1,8 kg/ha and 5,4 kg/ha Strawberries sprayed three times during picking 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia Spraying solution, kg/ha Coated with a film Without a filmDecrease Residue level, mg/kg Residue level, % SONATA boscalidpyroclostrobinboscalidpyroclostrobinboscalidpyroclostrobin 1,84,711,112,770, ,45,041,194,340,811432

CONCLUSION A long period of time between the spraying and picking of apples/analysis (3 months), explaind the low levels of pesticide residues in apples. Frequent rain wiped off the pesticide spraying solutions The residue levels of boscalid and pyroclostrobin in strawberries is dependent on the concentration of Signum spraying solution and as well as biological properties of the plant The ability of plants to grow large berries is a factor of the residue accumulations in the berries Overdosing of the spraying solution causes abnormally high levels of pesticide residues in strawberries The decomposition of boscalid and pyroclostrobin on the berries is a smaller proportion Rain and irrigation water reduces boscalid and pyroclostrobin residues in strawberries 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia

Thank you for your attention! 11th NPRW June 01 – 02, 2015, Tallinn, Estonia