RESIDUES OF CERTAIN PESTICIDES IN MEDICINAL PLANTS AND THEIR SIDE EFFECTS "

Abstract

The present investigation covered the study of insect pests infesting certain• medicinal and aromatic plants and their seasonal abundance. Roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa was infested with Aphis gossypii Glover; while Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare was mainly infested with Hyadaphis coriandri Das.Their weekly and monthly infestation during the vegetative stage was recorded for two years. The effect of infestation level on plant growth was also investigated. The response of aphids on roselle and fennel to Malathion, Protecto and Biofly was studied. Malathion residues on and in treated sepals of roselle decreased gradually throughout 21 days after treatment.

Histopathological changes were detected in liver and testes of Albino rat treated with Malathion. But no or mild histological changes were observed in such organs of rats treated with either Protecto or Biofly.