Impact of Fungicide Mancozeb at Different Application Rates on Soil Microbial Populations, Soil Biological Processes, and Enzyme Activities in Soil

Abstract

The use of fungicides is the continuous exercise particularly in orchard crops where fungal diseases, such as white root rot, have the potential to destroy horticultural crops rendering them unsaleable. In view of above problem, the present study examines the effect of different concentrations of mancozeb (0–2000 ppm) at different incubation periods for their harmful side effects on various microbiological processes, soil microflora, and soil enzymes in alluvial soil (pH 6.8) collected from apple orchards of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh (India). Low concentrations of mancozeb were found to be deleterious towards fungal and actinomycetes population while higher concentrations (1000 and 2000 ppm) were found to be detrimental to soil bacteria. Mancozeb impaired the process of ammonification and nitrification. Similar results were observed for nitrifying and ammonifying bacteria. Phosphorus solubilization was increased by higher concentration of mancozeb, that is, 250 ppm and above. In unamended soil, microbial biomass carbon and carbon mineralization were adversely affected by mancozeb. Soil enzymes, that is, amylase, invertase, and phosphatase showed adverse and disruptive effect when mancozeb used was above 10 ppm in unamended soil. These results conclude that, to lessen the harmful effects in soil biological processes caused by this fungicide, addition of higher amount of nitrogen based fertilizers is required.

Effect of Chlorpyrifos and Malathion on Soil Microbial Population and Enzyme Activity

“…Soil is a living dynamic system containing many free enzymes, immobilized extracellular enzymes and enzymes within microbial cells. Pesticides affects many physiochemical phenomenon involving soil enzymes and microbial population like, the organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling [3]. The persistence of chlorpyrifos and malathion in human and environment has been reported earlier, but their effect on soil microbes and soil enzymes has not been studied in Jalandhar district of Punjab.…”

Pengaruh Fungisida Terhadap Keanekaragaman Bakteri Tanah Di Kota Batu

“…Hasil uji sensitivitas bakteri menunjukkan respon yang berbeda pada setiap bakteri uji di masing-masing tanah O1, K1, K2, dan K3.Bakteri yang sangat merespon fungisida yang dicampur dengan media umumnya berasal dari tanah ramah lingkungan (O1 Pengaruh aplikasi fungisida berbahan aktif mancozeb terhadap mikroba tanah telah diteliti oleh Walia et al (2014). Penelitian tersebut menyebutkan bahwa semakin tinggi mancozeb akan semakin menurunkan populasi bakteri yang terlibat dalam nitrikasi dan amonifikasi.…”

Interaction Between Pesticide and Soil Microorganisms and Their Degradation: A Molecular Approach

“…Understanding the effects on both processes is important in understanding pesticide interactions in soil and their role in supporting plant growth and overall ecosystem health. Walia et al ( 2014 ) evaluated the effect of mancozeb at different concentration (0-2000 ppm) and concluded that 0, 10, and 100 ppm of mancozeb had little effect on the average amount of available phosphorous released. Above 100 ppm, the amount of phosphorous increased signifi cantly with increase in mancozeb concentrations, and maximum value was obtained at 2000 ppm mancozeb (97.60 ppm).…”

“…Saha et al ( 2012 ) observed higher levels of β-glucosidase activity in soil samples treated with alachlor, butachlor, and pretilachlor. Walia et al ( 2014 ) studied the effect of mancozeb (0-2000 ppm) on soil enzymes, viz., amylase, invertase, and phosphatase that showed adverse and disruptive effect when mancozeb used was above 10 ppm in unamended soil. Khudsar and Askar (2013) studied the effect of some pesticides on growth, nitrogen fi xation, and nif genes in Azotobacter chroococcum and Azotobacter vinelandii isolated from soil.…”