Persistence and movement of phorate at high concentrations in soil

The entrance of a large number of chemicals into the agricultural market has caused concern to both cultivators and scientists because of their effectiveness at the target site, possibility of underground water contamination, and other undesirable effects such as phytotoxicity and effects on nontarget species. The persistence and movement of phorate--a systemic granular insecticide--were studied at high concentrations (4 and 8 kg a.i./ha) in field soil in two seasons, i.e., winter and summer. Periodic sampling for total phorate residues (TPR) at various vertical depths showed that it leached more efficiently at the higher dose (i.e., 8 kg a.i./ha) in both seasons. The horizontal mobility was also higher at this dose. Irrespective of the treatments, TPR leaching was significantly greater in winter with the higher dose, whereas its movement in the horizontal plane was comparatively greater in summer with this dose. The TPR concentration peaks remained stationary at 7.5 cm depth at all the redistribution times until the pesticide was nearly dissipated under both treatments and in both seasons. TPR persistence was higher at the higher dose. Its persistence was comparatively greater in winter than in summer. The present findings show that there seems to be no threat of underground water contamination by this pesticide even at a rate as high as 8 kg a.i./ha.