Effects of Tebuconazole Application on Soil Microbiota and Enzymes

Abstract

Identification of pesticide impact on the soil microbiome is of the utmost significance today. Diagnosing the response of bacteria to tebuconazole, used for plant protection, may help isolate the most active bacteria applicable in the bioaugmentation of soils contaminated with this preparation. Bearing in mind the above, a study was undertaken to test the effect of tebuconazole on the diversity of bacteria at all taxonomic levels and on the activity of soil enzymes. It was conducted by means of standard and metagenomic methods. Its results showed that tebuconazole applied in doses falling within the ranges of good agricultural practice did not significantly disturb the biological homeostasis of soil and did not diminish its fertility. Tebuconazole was found to stimulate the proliferation of organotrophic bacteria and fungi, and also the activities of soil enzymes responsible for phosphorus, sulfur, and carbon metabolism. It did not impair the activity of urease responsible for urea hydrolysis, or cause any significant changes in the structure of bacterial communities. All analyzed soil samples were mainly populated by bacteria from the phylum Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Chloroflexi. Bacteria from the genera Kaistobacter, Arthrobacter, and Streptomyces predominated in the soils contaminated with tebuconazole, whereas these from the Gemmata genus were inactivated by this preparation.

Tebuconazole-Loaded Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Encapsulated with Chitosan and Their Application in Wheat Growth

“…Annually, 20% of wheat, the world’s most widely grown crop and consumed food, is lost due to pests and diseases, − with fungal, viral, and bacterial pathogens causing the most serious damage. Currently, triazole-based pesticides, which provide protection, treatment, and eradication through their broad-spectrum bactericidal properties, represent the most commonly used class of antibacterial drugs during wheat growth. , Of these, tebuconazole (Teb) is the most widely applied one, − but being water soluble, its effective bacteriostatic time after applications tends to be short. , Thus, it is difficult to achieve long-term control of crop pathogens even by increasing the dosage of Teb. At the same time, large amounts of lost drugs can also result in significant pollution of the aquatic environment. ,, Therefore, as far as wheat production is concerned, it would be important to study new pesticide formulations that not only offer long-lasting effects but also allow an optimum use of Teb.…”

“…7,8 Of these, tebuconazole (Teb) is the most widely applied one, 9−12 but being water soluble, its effective bacteriostatic time after applications tends to be short. 13,14 Thus, it is difficult to achieve long-term control of crop pathogens even by increasing the dosage of Teb. At the same time, large amounts of lost drugs can also result in significant pollution of the aquatic environment.…”