The impact of organophosphorus pesticide on Solanum melongena, Capsicum annum and Soil

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) and green chilli (Capsicum annum) are an important vegetables crop grown throughout the year in the India. However, these vegetables crops suffer heavily from the ravages of various insect pests and disease, which reduce not only the yield but also the quality of the fruit. Malathion is part of the widely used insecticides all around the world. The present study emphasizes the effect of various concentrations and exposure periods of an organophosphorus pesticide. Malathion on two very important vegetative crops eggplant (Solanum melongena) green chilli (Capsicum annum). This study was performed at the department of environmental studies, Integral University, Lucknow (U.P.). The effect of Malathion on growth of the two vegetable crops was observed under greenhouse condition. Sampling of eggplant and green chilli were grown in assorted sets with 2, 4 & 6 ml/L foliar treatment of Malathion. Two sets of control plants were grown without Malathion treatment. They were harvested after 7 & 14 days. Experimental observation revealed that low concentration of Malathion had synergistic effect while higher level had an adverse effect on growth of plant and soil properties. This study infers that whereas lower levels are beneficial. Higher level of pesticides should be avoided and special care be taken to prevent their entry in the food chain.