Pesticide Occurrence in Spring Flower Bulbs
A new report from Naturskyddsföreningen (the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation; SSNC) highlights the presence of pesticide residues in ornamental flower bulbs sold in Sweden. The study analyzed 30 packages of flower bulbs—including tulips, crocuses, and daffodils—purchased from Swedish retailers, as well as flowers and leaves from 20 potted bulb plants. Both conventional and organically certified products were included. A total of 536 different pesticides and metabolites were screened at Eurofins.
Residues were detected in 19 of the 21 conventional bulb samples, whereas only one of the nine organic samples contained residues. On average, three pesticides were found per sample. Fewer detections were made in potted plants, with levels identified in only two of the 20 analyzed. In total, 14 different pesticides and several metabolites were detected, most of which were fungicides. Five substances were classified or suspected to be CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction). The most frequently detected compound was the fungicide pyraclostrobin, found in 14 samples. Other commonly identified substances included folpet and the “PFAS pesticides” fludioxonil and fluopyram. The metabolites prothioconazole-desthio and spirotetramat-enol were also frequently observed. Notably, three of the detected pesticides are banned in the EU, with prochloraz being the most prevalent. Detected concentrations reached up to 3.7 mg/kg.
SSNC concludes that the widespread and diverse pesticide contamination in flower bulbs raises serious environmental concerns, particularly regarding potential impacts on pollinators such as bees. The report recommends purchasing organic products and encouraging retailers to provide information about pesticide use. This study follows a previous investigation into “bee-friendly” plants and seed packets, which found pesticide residues in 53 out of 54 plant samples and 36 out of 65 seed packets.
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Links
The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (incl link to report; in Swedish)
“Bee-friendly” plants (Eurofins)
PFAS pesticides (Eurofins)