The environmental issue of pesticide residues in agricultural soils in Serbia

Widespread use of pesticides in intensive agriculture indicates the need for permanent monitoring their residues soil. For this purpose, a total 22 evenly distributed sampling points arable land were chosen area Serbia. Soils divided into groups according to previous crop (pepper, vegetables, maize, wheat and soybean). Soil properties 68 pesticides, which herbicides, 25 insecticides 21 fungicides, analysed collected soil samples. The obtained data confirm heterogeneity samples regarding organic matter content (1.41–3.39%) pH value (pH 4.27–8.08). average number active ingredients detected per type was 1–2 14–16 insecticides, 3–4 while 3 20 9 fungicides found total. Insecticides with mainly organochlorine compounds represented majority ingredients. Although rapid degradability sulfonylurea herbicides is well-known fact, nicosulfuron, ranging from 0.15 1.99 μg/kg, three where maize grown as crop. Furthermore, triazoles prothioconazole (0.08 ± 0.11 μg/kg), tebuconazole (0.10 0.24 μg/kg) epoxyconazole (0.13 0.42 36%, 18% 14% samples, respectively, difenoconazole flusilazole only one sample. mostly correlated pesticides. levels agricultural soils should be monitored further, especially terms environmental risks posed by transfer groundwater surface waters.