Potential threat of Pesticidal Drift in Medicinal Plants

[Manoshi Goswami]

            Pesticide contamination of non-target plants as a result of drift is a well-known fact now-a-days. Similarly, the medicinal plants which grow nearby an area where pesticides are often applied, also encounter the same problem. A short duration study was done on pesticide drifting to three medicinal plants i.e. Centella asiatica (Thankuni)   Bryophyllum pinnatum (Dupor tenga in Assamese), and Ocimum sanctum(Tulsi) with two pesticides endosulfan and chlorpyriphos. Pesticide residue analysis revealed high levels of residue just after application up to one week or so, which gradually decreases with time. Depending on distance and days after sampling we have found that sometimes it exceeded even maximum residue limit. Pesticide drifting also affected the growth and chlorophyll content of the plants. Endosulfan proved more detrimental. 

This is worth thinking because as farmers many a times use medicinal plants for curing diseases, consumption of such contaminated medicinal plants may create negative health effects. 

[Manoshi Goswami]

I have a limited knowledge about the bio-pesticides that are available in the market. But if they contain chemicals like cyanide, may be we need to reconsider it once again. The problem is that farmers at any cost need their crop so that they can earn their living. At the same time there lies a gap between the labs or institutes who do the research and the field. But in my view, if we want to save our crop, our agriculture and the farmer's lives too, the requirement is to opt for IPM by popularizing it. There are so many indigenous technologies to control pests in the field which are forgotten by the farmers. A thrust should be given on revitalizing all those traditional knowledge along with enhancing the environment for natural bio-control agents. That may be able to handle the situation in the long run. Otherwise, a doom is definitely waiting for us.

I will be happy to get more information sharing and discussion in this issue.

[BIJAYA NANDA DAS]

Pesticidal drift in medicinal plants can be potentially  dangerous when medicinal plants are used frequently specially in rural areas. it is an alarming trend..

we must make efforts to reduce this if not completely eliminate it

Dr b n das