Impact of agricultural activities on pesticide residues in soil of edible bamboo shoot plantations

Edible bamboo shoot is one of the most important vegetables in Asian countries. Intensive agricultural management measures can cause many negative influences, such as soil acidification and excessive pesticide residues. In the present study, more than 300 soil samples were collected from edible bamboo shoot plantations in six areas throughout Zhejiang province, China, to investigate the soil pesticide pollution and its change after different agricultural activities. Thirteen organic chemicals were detected; nine less than that detected during a similar study executed in 2003–2004. All the detected residues were far below the Chinese national environmental standards for agricultural soils. The pesticide residues in bamboo plantations showed a decline over the past decade. Organic materials used for mulching and plantation’s background of being formerly a paddy field are two important factors increasing the pesticide residues. Conversely, lime application to acidified soil and mulching with uncontaminated new mountain soil could decrease the residues significantly. Our results indicated that the current agricultural activities are efficient in reducing pesticide residues in the soil of bamboo shoot plantations and should be further promoted.