Exploring the influence of agrochemicals on beneficial microbial communities in soil

Abstract

Ensuring the safe value of agricultural products is crucial for the sustainable development of agriculture, which requires the rational use of both chemical and biological products. However, the use of current agrochemicals can adversely affect the beneficial microorganisms in soil and reduce their efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of 16 commonly used agrochemicals on five microbial species, including Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Saccharomyces sp., Azotobacter sp., and Trichoderma sp. The evaluation criteria comprised the assessment of direct effects at the time of exposure and after three days. The research results indicated that agrochemicals have a negative effect on experimental microorganisms. Specifically, when in direct contact, the chemical components ethoprophos, metalaxyl, and mancozeb contained in 2 out of 16 chemicals exhibited a 100% negative impact on all 5 species of microorganisms, while the other chemical components present in the remaining chemicals had an impact level of over 75%. Based on the experiments conducted, the results suggest that the appropriate time to use microbiological preparations is at an interval of 7 days after the application of the aforementioned agrochemicals.