Acephate and methamidophos residue behavior in Florida citrus, 1976

The half-life of acephate and its hydrolysate, methamidophos, in the rind of Temple and Valencia oranges, and grapefruit, lemons, and tangerines was 10.3 days and 10.5 days, respectively. Half-lives of acephate and methamidophos in citrus pulp were 15.0 days and 6.1 days, respectively based on 7-, 14-, and 21-day data. Seven days after treatment, acephate and methamidophos reached maximum levels in rind and pulp. Acephate residue levels in rind were less than 3.0 ppm 14 days after treatment; acephate residues in pulp were less than 3.0 ppm throughout the experiment. Methamidophos residue levels averaged less than 0.25 ppm after 21 days.