In Argentina, the maximum residue limits (MRLs) or are established by the National Service of Agrifood Health and Quality (SENASA). These values are specific to each crop and, in the case of citrus, are established by species (i.e. oranges, lemons, etc). They may differ from one species to another, but when MRLs are fixed on all citrus species and coincide, they are considered as a MRLs for Citrus fruits in general. They are expressed in mg. of pesticide per kg of fruit and for the cultivation there are about 88 registered active principles.
The MRLs are framed in Resolution934/2010 of SENASA and are under permanent review, values are added when new pesticides are registered, or modified in case of new studies, such as extensions of use for a new pest, field to postharvest use, etc.
The latest changes within Resolution 934 are:
· The insecticides diazinon and aldicarb were dropped from the list of MRLs, basically because there are currently no products based on these active ingredients.
· The MRLs for the Imidacloprid insecticide in Citrus fruits in general is 0.2 mg/kg.
· The MRL for Pyrimicarb for all Citrus fruits is 0.05 mg/kg, except for oranges, where it has an MRL of 0.5 mg/kg.
· The MRL of the fungicide fluxapiroxad, registered only in mandarin, grapefruit, and lemon is 0.2 mg/kg
· The MRL for Buprofezin insecticides is 0.05 mg/kg in orange only; the MRL for Fenazaquin is 0.03 mg/kg in oranges and mandarin; and the MRLs of Tiacloprid for Citrus fruits in general is 0.2 mg/kg.
Producers should know the latest changes in order to avoid toxicological and commercial problems.
Source: infocampo.com.ar