Dissipation kinetics of forchlorfenuron, 6-benzyl aminopurine, gibberellic acid and ethephon residues in table grapes (Vitis vinifera)

The residue dynamics of plant growth regulators (PGR) forchlorfenuron (CPPU), 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), gibberellic acid (GA3) and ethephon in grape are presented, corresponding to their field applications at recommended and double doses. Random samples were collected from each treated and control plot at regular time intervals. The optimised sample preparation technique involves extraction of 10 g homogenised sample with 20 ml methanol (+1% formic acid) and measurement by LC–MS/MS multiple reaction monitoring, offering limit of quantification ⩽0.0025 μg/g for all except ethephon with LOQ of 0.005 μg/g. The recoveries at LOQ and above were 84.8–109.5%. Residue dissipation of all the PGRs followed non-linear two-compartment first + first-order kinetics. CPPU, 6-BA and ethephon residues dissipated with preharvest intervals (PHIs) of 33.5, 12 and 32 days at recommended dose with no PHI applicable for GA3. The PHIs successfully minimised residue problems as observed from survey results of traceable field samples.