Evaluation of Cyantraniliprole Residues Translocated by Lettuce, Spinach and Radish

BACKGROUND: Cyantraniliprole is a systemic diamide insecticide that has been used to control lepidopteran pests in agriculture. Cyantraniliprole has become an issue due to its potentiality of unexpectable contamination in rotational crop cultivation. Thus, studies on the evaluation of cyantraniliprole translocated from soil into rotational crops are required. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cyantraniliprole was treated at a yearly maximum application level onto bare soil under greenhouse conditions in two geographically different regions. Lettuce was transplanted and spinach and radish were sown onto the soil 30 and 60 days-plant back intervals (PBIs) after cyantraniliprole treatment. The QuEChERS method was modified and coupled with LC/MS/MS analysis to determine the residues of cyantraniliprole in soil and plant samples. The methods for sample preparation and instrumental conditions were validated to meet the criteria of Codex guidelines and were successful to determine cyantraniliprole quantitatively and qualitatively in the samples. Cyantraniliprole residues in lettuce samples were 0.01 mg/kg for PBI 60 and 0.02 mg/kg for PBI 30, respectively. The residues in spinach samples were 0.01 mg/kg for PBI 60 and 0.01~0.02 mg/kg for PBI 30, respectively. Less than limit of the quantitation (LOQ) level (0.01 mg/kg) of cyantraniliprole was observed in radish samples. The residues in the plant samples were found as the levels less than maximum residue limit (MRL) for leafy and root vegetables. CONCLUSION(S): This study suggests PBI 30~60 days for rotational cultivation of lettuce, spinach and radish in greenhouse soil treated with cyantraniliprole at a yearly maximum application level.