Determination of the metal content of vegetables is important from the point of view of crop yield technology as well as food consumption. Successful vegetable yields under particular intensive technological conditions can be achieved by correctly supplying nutrient materials and adequate ratios of nutrient elements. It is necessary to know the composition of all materials used for treatment of vegetables, while control can be exerted by elemental analysis of plant tissues. The active components of pesticides are regularly and rigorously checked by authorities, but this does not apply to their elemental contents, in spite of the fact that several pesticides can contain large amounts of metals. In this study, pesticides with previously determined metal content were used both at recommended dosages and as an overdosage on different varieties of vegetables. The elemental content of plants was measured with atomic emission and atomic absorption spectrometric methods. Results prove that the concentrations of given elements increase considerably when metal-containing pesticides are used for the treatment of vegetables. Therefore, one can say that this type of spraying is virtually equivalent to a microelemental fertilization through the leaves of the plant. © 1992.
