Biodegradation of Pesticides in Table Grapes by Using Microorganisms

Grape is one of the most delicious and exotic fruit crops of India with great potential for domestic and foreign marketing as fresh fruits as well as processed products like wine and raisins. Many of the diseases and pests especially powdery mildew disease and insect pests like mealy bugs and mites attack grapes even near harvest. As there is no other viable alternative to chemicals for pest management, growers have no option to save their crop except by the use of pesticides, even at the risk of residue accumulations at harvest. These high numbers of sprays increases the problem of detection of pesticide residues at above maximum residue limit (MRL) at harvest, thus compromising food safety. The study will be directed at identifying the microorganisms, screening of the metabolites and the enzymes associated with the degradation of specific pesticide compounds. Many of these micro-organisms are considered safe for use in agriculture. Initial identification of the potential microorganisms will be done in vitro i.e. under controlled conditions, followed by in vivo studies.