Daminozide residues in cherries and peaches resulting from daminozide spray to enhance fruit maturity

Abstract

Cherries sprayed with 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/l daminozide solution were analysed for daminozide residues 7, 14, 21 and 28 d after the spray. The residues decreased with time and the difference between the first and fourth week residues was significant (P< 0.05) for each treatment. The residues in peaches were measured 18 weeks after the spray and were not significantly different for each treatment. There was a strong correlation (r=0.98) between the residues in cherries and the daminozide concentration in spray. The recommended concentration of darninozide spray (1000 mg/l) for cherries and peaches resulted in residues below the National Health and Medical Research Council limit of 30 mg/kg for pome fruit.