Common Pests and Pesticides Used in Tea in Nepal pramod Koirala, Dambar B. Khadka ,Santosh Dhakal ,Jiwan Prava Lama Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Babarmahal, Kathmandu, Nepal Abstract The study is conduct to asses the common pests and pesticides uses in tea in Nepal. In Nepal, tea is consumed daily at almost every household. The study result revealed that during tea cultivation twenty five types of pesticides is applied. Contamination of pesticides in commonly used tea is an important unrecognized risk to public health and can have long term health implications. Even in small doses, continuous consumption can lead to many adverse health problems. Tea is one of the most potential exportable agri- products after Nepal's accession to WTO.Still, some of the pesticides applied in tea are prohibited and restricted pesticides in tea. Organic farming, promoting IPM approach, application of quality management system and adequate communication among stakeholders and modern tea pesticides residues analysis are some of the major approaches for assessing safety in tea cultivation and tea business. This article presents the existing practices of pesticides application in tea in Nepal. Key words: Tea, pest, Pesticide, Residue, Safety, Nepal Introduction The origin of tea as a popular wonder drink is steeped in legends. In 17 th century, tea begins to occupy the right place as a popular drink in china (Jhowar, 2002). Lu yu published first tea classic, contain the detail of cultivation and preparation of tea in china in 780 (Hill, 1998) and different types of green, black, and Oolong tea is made their first appearance of Ming dynasty during 1368-1644. In early 8 th century green tea was transferred to Japan for medicinal use (Chu Juneja, 1997). The tea drinking habit gradually spread along the trade routes of Asia and was introduced to Europe by Dutch traders in 17 th century. In Nepal, tea cultivation was started in 1863 AD. Late Gajaraj Singh Thapa initiated plantation of tea in Ilam district (Ghimire, 1997). At present tea has been extended to other districts where tea cultivation is made at commercial scale (Tea and Coffee news 2000). In Nepal, a total of 16012 hectare of land is occupied with tea and the current production of tea is 13043 MT. (Statistical Information on Nepalese Agriculture, 2006) Growths of tea sector in the country have several advantages. It substitutes the import and earns foreign currency, generate employment as it is labor intensive, benefit environment, as it utilizes hilly unproductive land to production of orthodox tea and thus decrease migration rate from hills to terai. Therefore, its growth develops nations' socio-economic status. Nepalese orthodox tea due to its smell, unique taste and its color of the extract is very famous in the international market (Thapa and Shakya, 2006). During cultivation of tea, many pests attack it. So, tea growers apply several agro- chemicals including pesticides. Pesticides being toxic in nature do not differentiate between target and non-target species and threaten the health and well-being of humans and wildlife in every region of the world (Wassemann 1972). These highly stable compounds can last for years and decades before breaking down. They are highly toxic, causing an array of adverse effects, notably death, diseases and birth defects among human and animals. Specific effect can include cancer, allergies and hypersensitivity, damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, reproductive disorders, and disruption of the immune system (Strecct 1981, Maroni 1990). In Nepal, 319 types of pesticides by trade name (Insecticides-213, Fungicides-71, Herbicides-23, Rodenticides-8, Acaricides-2 and others-2) have been registered for use under Pesticides Act and Rules. Highly persistent types (Chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, aldrin, heptachlor, mirex,toksafen, BHC, Lindane), Phosphamidon and Organo-mercury fungicides are banned in Nepal .Large persistent chemical pesticides have been banned for agriculture and public health from 9 th april, 2001 and also hazardous pesticides was phased out by the government from 9th april, 2001.At present, prohibition on the use of highly toxic pesticides in tea are Quinalphos, Ethion, Monocrotophos and Phorate (Palikhe B.R., 2005). A total of 74 samples were analysed in DFTQC during 1995-2004 for the detection of pesticides in tea. The laboratory analysis result showed that 22 samples (29.7%) were positive to pesticides contamination. Among the pesticides detected samples in tea, 12.5% samples showed presence of BHC (range Tr-1.4 ppm) followed by 8.3 % malathion (range 0.2-10 ppm), parathion and methyl parathion 2.7 % (range 0.2-2.5 ppm ) and by 1.35 % DDT (0.2 ppm ) (DFTQC Annual Bulletin 1994-2004) Methodology Three major tea producing districts in the country representing three different agro- climatic zones ( Jhapa, Illam and Panchthar districts ) which account for more than 95% of the total tea production in the country were selected for the survey purpose. The three greatest tea producing VDC were selected for this purpose. In each VDC of the district enlisting of largest tea growers were considered and from a single VDC, ten growers were selected and interviewed for the study purpose. The VDCs selected were Anarmani, Gaurigunj and Garmani in Jhapa district, Panchakanya, Shreeantu and Phikkal in Illam district; and Phidim, Yangam, Ranitar in Panchathar district. Interview with structured questionnaire served as data collection tool. Altogether sixty tea growers were interviewed for this purpose. Results and Discussion The survey results showed that different types of the pesticide are used in tea cultivation to control variety of pest. The use of organophosphate includes quinalphos, ethion, malathion, monochrotophus, propanofus, acefate, dichlorovous, chloropyriphos were found in the tea field to control large verities pest like cater pillar (Latoia sp ,Andraca bipunctata,Andraca bipunctataGracilaria theivora ), leaf roller (Gracilaria theivora,Stringlina glareola,Hamona coffearia ), tea mosquito (Heolipeltis febriculosa ), aphids (Toxopetra aurantii, Empoasca flavescens) , jassids (halopeltis spp.), flush worm (Lasperesia bipunctata ) and other pests. Similarly synthetic insecticides such as alfamethryene, cyper methryene and pyrethroid ester insecticides like fenpropathrin were also used in tea. Herbicides such as gramoxone, oxyflurene, glyphosphate and 2, 4 D were generally found to use to control dicot, broad leafs and grass bushes. Fungicides like copper oxychlorides, hexachonazol, carbandazim, mancozep, and copper sulphate were used in tea cultivation to prevent from fungal disease and foliar disease such as red rust (C. paraciticus) , black rot (Cephaleuros mycoldea) , and blister blight(Corticulum invisum ). To control and prevent the different mites problem during tea cultivation, accaricides such as dicofol, prapargite, sulphur and fenopthrin were used .The survey also revealed that use of prohibited pesticides in tea i.e.**quinalphos, ethion, monocrotophos were still in use. Some of the Pesticide (***dichlorovos) used in tea are under restricted pesticides which should be used under approval of the APPO (Asst. plant Protection Officer).Among these pesticides dichlorovos and monocrotophos are included in highly hazardous group (Ib) of pesticides by WHO. No evidence on application of banned pesticides by government of Nepal was seen in tea cultivation practice in Nepal. The details of the survey results were compiled on the Table 2 and Table 3. Table 2: Common insects and pests in tea Common name of pests Scientific name INSECTS Thrips Andraca bipuntata Scirtothrips dorsalis Hallothrips andressi H tenipennis Slug caterpillars Latoia sp Bunch caterpillars Andraca bipunctata Caterpillar Andraca bipunctata Leaf roller Gracilaria theivora Stringlina glareola Hamona coffearia Looper Biston suppressaria Tea mosquito Heolipeltis febriculosa Aphid Toxopetra aurantii Empoasca flavescens Jassids Helopeltis spp Halopeltis Lasperesia bipunctata Flushworm Lasperesia bipunctata FUNGUS Blister blight Corticulum invisum Black rot Cephaleuros mycoldea Red rust C. paraciticus MITES Pink ,purple and red mites Tetranychus biocuatus A theae Acerina gosspii Oligonychus coffeae Table: 3 Pesticides applied to tea cultivation S. Types of Trade Common Formulati Frequency Month Sensitive pests No. pesticides Name of name of the on used pesticide Pesticides /Group 1. Thiodane Endosulfan Chlorinated 2 January Green Fly Acaricides , , ,Looper ,Red Cychlodien Februar slugs, Thrips e y Aphids, Insecticides Flushwormes etc. 2. Farsa,Ge Alphamethryen Synthetic 2 April, Tea Mosquito, m e parathroids Septem Thrips, ber 3. Flash , **Quinal phos Organopho 3 March, Jassids, Aphids kinalaux sphate Aug, Broad spectrum acaricides, Insect Quinoxalli ne organothio phosphate insecticides 4. Emite **Ethion Organopho 4 March- Catterpillar , sphate August thrips, Red spider, acaricides, pink .scarlet and Aliphatic purple mite Organothio phosphate insecticides 5. Monosil **Monocrotoph Organopho 2 April, Systematic ( os sphates Octobe Green r Fly,halopaltis,Thi ps.Looper,Jasids, Caterpillar 6. Malathion Malathion Organopho 2 Tea mosquito Insecticides (includingInsecticides Miticides) 5% DP sphate March, Acaricides/ April Aliphatic Organothio phosphate 7. Propafos Propanophos Organopho 1 or 2 times as Thrips,Aphides, sphates necessa worms etc. ry 8. Emidagol imidacloprid Chloro- 1 or 2 times as Termites and d, Josh nicotinyl necessa other insect ry 9. Orthene,