Impact of weather parameters on the seasonal incidence of Helopeltis antonii (Miridae: Hemiptera) on neem

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), known for its extensive therapeutic properties, is susceptible to various pests, notably the tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis antonii Signoret). This study investigates the seasonal incidence of H. antonii on neem across different age classes and explores the correlation between meteorological factors and pest infestation. The survey monitored sixty neem trees categorized into three age groups: Category I (less than 2 years), Category II (2-6 years), and Category III (more than 6 years). Peak nymphal populations occurred in November for Categories I (12.70 nymphs/branch) and III (13.35 nymphs/branch), while Category II peaked in October (12.80 nymphs/branch). Complete drying (100% infestation) was observed from late January to mid-February for Categories I and III, and from early December to mid-February for Category II. Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between infestation levels and minimum temperature, while maximum relative humidity and sunshine hours positively correlated with pest abundance. Multi-linear regression indicated that over 90% of the variation in infestation rates could be attributed to meteorological factors. This study highlights the persistent threat of H. antonii to neem trees, regardless of age and is the first study to look at the seasonal incidence of H. antonii on different age classes of neem. Further research is required to assess the long-term implications of climate variability on H. antonii dynamics and its broader ecosystem effects.

Determination of 77 Multiclass Pesticides and Their Metabolitesin Capsicum and Tomato Using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS

A quick, sensitive, and reproducible analytical method for the determination of 77 multiclass pesticides and their metabolites in Capsicum and tomato by gas and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was standardized and validated. The limit of detection of 0.19 to 10.91 and limit of quantification of 0.63 to 36.34 µg·kg−1 for Capsicum and 0.10 to 9.55 µg·kg−1 (LOD) and 0.35 to 33.43 µg·kg−1 (LOQ) for tomato. The method involves extraction of sample with acetonitrile, purification by dispersive solid phase extraction using primary secondary amine and graphitized carbon black. The recoveries of all pesticides were in the range of 75 to 110% with a relative standard deviation of less than 20%. Similarly, the method precision was evaluated interms of repeatability (RSDr) and reproducibility (RSDwR) by spiking of mixed pesticides standards at 100 µg·kg−1 recorded anRSD of less than 20%. The matrix effect was acceptable and no significant variation was observed in both the matrices except for few pesticides. The estimated measurement uncertainty found acceptable for all the pesticides. This method found suitable for analysis of vegetable samples drawn from market and farm gates.</jats:p

Determination of 77 Multiclass Pesticides and Their Metabolitesin Capsicum and Tomato Using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS

A quick, sensitive, and reproducible analytical method for the determination of 77 multiclass pesticides and their metabolites in Capsicum and tomato by gas and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was standardized and validated. The limit of detection of 0.19 to 10.91 and limit of quantification of 0.63 to 36.34 µg·kg−1 for Capsicum and 0.10 to 9.55 µg·kg−1 (LOD) and 0.35 to 33.43 µg·kg−1 (LOQ) for tomato. The method involves extraction of sample with acetonitrile, purification by dispersive solid phase extraction using primary secondary amine and graphitized carbon black. The recoveries of all pesticides were in the range of 75 to 110% with a relative standard deviation of less than 20%. Similarly, the method precision was evaluated interms of repeatability (RSDr) and reproducibility (RSDwR) by spiking of mixed pesticides standards at 100 µg·kg−1 recorded anRSD of less than 20%. The matrix effect was acceptable and no significant variation was observed in both the matrices except for few pesticides. The estimated measurement uncertainty found acceptable for all the pesticides. This method found suitable for analysis of vegetable samples drawn from market and farm gates