<![CDATA[Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) is an important horticultural vegetable with high nutritional and economic value and is widely consumed by the community. However, the intensive use of synthetic pesticides in its cultivation may leave chemical residues that can pose health risks if they exceed the permitted maximum residue limits (MRLs). This study aimed to evaluate the concentration of emamectin benzoate and propineb residues in Chinese cabbage based on different pre-harvest application intervals and to identify farmers’ levels of knowledge and attitudes toward pesticide use. The research consisted of two activities: a survey and a field experiment. The survey involved 40 farmers and was conducted in X Koto Subdistrict, Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra. The field experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design consisting of seven treatments combining an insecticide with emamectin benzoate (30 g/l) and a fungicide with propineb (70%), applied at intervals of 3, 7, and 14 days before harvest, including a control, with three replications. Residue analysis was performed using liquid chromatography. The results showed that propineb residue levels decreased from 0.0105 mg/kg at 3 days before harvest to 0.0035 mg/kg at 7 days before harvest and were undetectable at 14 days before harvest. Meanwhile, emamectin benzoate residues ranged from 0.0065 to 0.0075 mg/kg, all of which were below the Indonesian maximum residue limits. Farmers knowledge was generally moderate, while most farmers had poor attitudes toward pesticide use, highlighting the need for better education on proper pesticide use and compliance with the pre-harvest interval. Longer pre-harvest intervals resulted in lower pesticide residue levels in the plants. These findings emphasize the importance of applying appropriate pre-harvest intervals to ensure food safety and support good agricultural practices.]]>
