Uptake and Metabolism of Carbofuran in Groundnut Crop

Following in-furrow application to soil of granular formulation of carbofuran @ 1 and 4 kg a.i./ha, uptake and metabolism in groundnut crop was studied. Carbofuran residues after derivatization with l-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene were estimated by gas-liquid chromatography. Confirmation of the nature of residues was done by thin-layer chromatography. Initially the residues in plants were present as carbofuran and 3-hydroxycarbofuran, but with lapse of time the other metabolites appeared in substantial quantities. The combined residues of carbofuran and its metabolites reached below detectable level in groundnut plants after 60 days of sowing. Total carbofuran residues remained below MRL (0.1 mg/kg) in groundnut kernels at harvest.