Azadirachtin as a sustainable tool for zero pesticide residue production: Residue dissipation in open-field tomato production

Tahseen Chikte, Václav Psota, Michal Kumšta and Tomáš Kopta
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Tahseen Chikte: Faculty of Horticulture, Mendel University, Lednice, Czech Republic
Václav Psota: Farma Bezdinek s.r.o., Dolni Lutyne, Czech Republic
Michal Kumšta: Department of Viticulture and Enology, Faculty of Horticulture, Mendel University, Lednice, Czech Republic
Tomáš Kopta: Faculty of Horticulture, Mendel University, Lednice, Czech Republic

Plant Protection Science, 2026, vol. 62, issue 2, 177-187

Abstract: The growing demand for vegetables free from pesticide residues has fuelled the search for sustainable pest management solutions. This study assessed the efficacy of azadirachtin, a neem-derived biopesticide, in achieving no detectable pesticide residues in tomato production under open-field conditions. The experiment, conducted from April to September 2024, included a systematic application and residue analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The results showed that azadirachtin degraded rapidly, with residual levels in leaves, green fruits, and mature fruits falling below the detection threshold (0.01 mg/kg) after 8-10 days following treatment. The statistical analysis revealed strong time-dependent residue dissipation, with little systemic buildup in fruit tissues. The findings suggest that azadirachtin is a viable, environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides, aligning with food safety requirements and customer preferences for pesticide residue-free fruit. Future research should investigate the ecological factors that affect degradation rates to optimise its application in diverse agro-climatic conditions.

Keywords: pesticide-free vegetables; sustainable pest management; neem-derived biopesticide; liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS); residue analysis; synthetic pesticides; degradation rate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnlpps:v:62:y:2026:i:2:id:90-2025-pps

DOI: 10.17221/90/2025-PPS

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