Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Farm Soils of Yorro Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria

The objective of this paper was to determine level of pesticide residues concentration of farms soil from Yorro Local Government Area (LGA). Ten (10) soil samples were collected at 0-10 cm depth at ten different locations. The study focused on pesticide residues in soil samples. Thirteen pesticides were detected in soil samples of both villages. Concentrations varied across sampling sites. The mean values of pesticide residues in Kassa village were: Aldrin (43.394 mg/kg), alpha-lindane (18.558 mg/kg), p,p-DDE (12.441 mg/kg), methoxychlor (4.727 mg/kg), Gamma-Lindane (2.952 mg/kg), p,p-DDD (2.422 mg/kg), Heptachlor (2.369 mg/kg), p,p-DDT (1.608 mg/kg), Endosulfan I (0.871 mg/kg), Heptachlor epoxide (0.732 mg/kg), Endosulfan II (0.587 mg/kg), Delta-lindane (0.262 mg/kg) and Endrine (0.239 mg/kg) and that of Kunzang village were: Aldrin(35.330 mg/kg), alpha-lindane (26.90042 mg/kg), Gamma-lindane (15.5415798 mg/kg), p,p-DDE(6.988 mg/kg), methoxychlor (4.017 mg/kg), Endosulfan I (3.509 mg/kg), Heptachlor (2.587 mg/kg), p,p-DDT (1.717 mg/kg), Delta-lindane (1.196 mg/kg), p, p-DDD (0.740 mg/kg), Endosulfan II (0.382 mg/kg), Heptachlor epoxide(0.324 mg/kg) and Endrine (0.176 mg/kg) respectively. Aldrin and Alpha-lindane dominated the soil contaminants. The elevated pesticide residues were attributed to intensive pesticide application by local farmers in the study area. Regular monitoring of pesticide residues in the study area is necessary for the prevention, control, and reduction of environmental pollution.