Pesticides use and its Effect on Soil Bacteria and Fungal Populations, Microbial Biomass Carbon and Enzymatic Activity

The indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides disturbs the soil environment, thereby affecting flora and fauna including soil microflora, and also the physicochemical properties of the soil, viz. pH, salinity, alkalinity, leading to poor soil fertility. With the application of pesticides, possibilities exist that these chemicals may exert certain effects on non-target soil microorganisms. The soil microbial biomass plays an important role in the soil ecosystem, where they fulfill a crucial role in nutrient cycling and decomposition. A series of field experiments were conducted at farmer's field at Sitapur, UP with different modules of integrated pest management (IPM) including use of safe formulations. The impact of application of these pesticides on the soil properties including soil microbial populations, microbial biomass carbon and enzymatic activity was assessed. It was observed that soil microbial biomass C content and dehydrogenase activity was influenced by IPM interventions.