Imidacloprid residues in cotton guttation fluid, pollen and soil when applied as seed dressings

Abstract

Guttation fluid and pollen are possible pathways where pollinators may be exposed to systemic insecticides. During the investigation, Gossypium hirsutum v. H 1098i seeds were coated with Gaucho (Imidacloprid 600 FS at 2.4 g a.i. kg-1seeds) and planted in the field. Guttation fluid, pollen, and soil samples were collected during the season and the samples were analysed by HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography). The guttation fluid and pollen were collected at three times after 50 per cent flowering. Soil samples were collected before sowing and at harvest. Method validation was achieved by performing a recovery experiment at two fortification levels of 0.05 and 0.10 mg kg-1. The average recoveries obtained from guttation fluid, pollen and soil samples were above 85 per cent. The residues of imidacloprid in guttation fluid, pollen and soil in treated and untreated seed were below detectable levels.