Endosulfan is used extensively, throughout the world, as
broad spectrum insecticide on cotton crops, field crops
such as paddy, sorghum, oil seeds and pulses, as well as
vegetables and fruit crops (Goebel et al. 1982). The major
crops grown in the area (Harran Plain) are cotton, wheat,
corn and pulse. Especially cotton which requires extensive
use of endosulfan is the main crop in the large irrigated
plains (Atasoy et al. 2009). The S¸ anlıurfa Agriculture
Directorate (The Plant Protection Branch Office) informed
the endosulfan consumption in the Harran Plain as 9,634 L
in liquid form and 73,850 kg in solid form in the year of
2009. The mean of endosulfan consumption for 5 years
(between 2001 and 2006) was on the top level in the pesticide
list (Atasoy 2007; Atasoy and Yesilnacar 2010). The
increasing cotton farming in the plain caused the extensive
use of endosulfan.