Differential effects of pesticides on soil microflora in cultivated soil of Indian rice field agro-ecosystems

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of indiscriminant use of common pesticides especially insecticide on the population of soil micro flora in cultivated soil of Indian rice field agro-ecosystems. Endosulfan and Dichlorvos @ 1ml/l (normal dose) did not show any adverse effect on soil micro flora; but a high dose 2ml/l showed a negative effect. On the other hand Carbofuran @ 9 kg/acre (normal dose) and 12kg/ acre (high dose) showed an adverse effect on the growth of actinomycetes, bacteria and fungi. The important findings of the present study is that the effect on microbes by applying insecticides reflects the ecological imbalance of microbes in cultivated soil and hamper the microbial equilibrium to some extent. The study focused that the uses of the pesticides as a plant protection agent occasionally hamper the growth of soil micro flora in cultivated rice field.