Unlocking the Potential of Fertilizer and Pesticide Integration: Investigating the Promoting Effect of Organic Water-Soluble Fertilizers on Pesticide Degradation for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract: In the present study, the dynamic degradation profile of the pesticide acaricide was investigated in the presence of varying concentrations of organic water-soluble fertilizers. Field experiments were carried out to assess the influence of organic water-soluble fertilizers on pesticide degradation rates. It was found that, under specific conditions, organic water-soluble fertilizers can promote the degradation of pesticides. To elucidate the factors responsible for this observation, both biological and abiotic aspects were examined. With regard to the biological factors, plant peroxidase activity was analyzed at different concentration levels of organic water-soluble fertilizers during the course of the field experiments. It was determined that organic water-soluble fertilizers can enhance peroxidase activity. Concerning the abiotic factors, high-pressure mercury lamps were utilized in ultraviolet (UV) degradation experiments on the acaricide, incorporating various concentrations of organic water-soluble fertilizers. Furthermore, washing experiments simulating rainwater effects were conducted on representative vegetable species from the Brassicaceae, Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae and Amaranthus tricolor families. The results of the UV degradation experiment showed no significant difference in the acaricide degradation rate, regardless of the presence or absence of organic water-soluble fertilizers. Additionally, the washing experiment demonstrated the effectiveness of organic water-soluble fertilizers in reducing pesticide residues in common vegetable varieties. The findings of this study have important implications for pesticide management and agricultural practices, emphasizing the potential of organic water-soluble fertilizers in facilitating the degradation of pesticides and minimizing their environmental impact.