Persistence of some pesticides in peach fruit

Abstract

The persistence of five pesticides (acephate, azinphos methyl, carbendazim, diazinon and dimethoate) in peach fruit was studied in real operating conditions. Pesticides showed different degradation rates. Diazinon was degraded with a half-life (t1/2) of 5.2 days, acephate, azinphos methyl and dimethoate with t1/2 of ca 12 days and carbendazim with t1/2 of 15.5 days. After the pre-harvest interval (PHI) all pesticide residues were within the limits established by Italian law.