Influence of carbofuran on the concentration of primary soil macronutrients in potato growing areas in the Peruvian highlands

Abstract

Potatoes have a high production demand in the world, but they are constantly under threat from germination to harvest due to pest infestation; for control, insecticides are used, which are highly polluting chemicals, systemic insecticides of the carbamate group due to their mode of action, with contact activity against different pests. This research sought to evaluate the influence of carbofuran on soil macronutrients in the District of Chongos Bajo, in the highlands of Peru. Through the experimental study method, with a quantitative research approach in a deductive process. We worked with a representative area of 10 m2 with 6 analyses of soil samples every 15 days in a period of 3 months. The results showed a loss value of 7.85% of total nitrogen, 14.05% of available phosphorus and 10% of available potassium in the period of 90 days, where there was a variation in the pH in water with a tendency of acidity, and a decrease in organic matter with a loss value of 6.93%. It was possible to demonstrate that the toxicity of the insecticide carbofuran had an influence on the decrease in the concentration of the main macronutrients and on the physical and chemical properties of the soil.