PGPR-Enabled bioremediation of pesticide and heavy metal-contaminated soil: A review of recent advances and emerging challenges

The excessive usage of agrochemicals, including pesticides, along with various reckless human actions, has ensued discriminating prevalence of pesticides and heavy metals (HMs) in crop plants and the environment. The enhanced exposure to these chemicals is a menace to living organisms. The pesticides may get bioaccumulated in the food chain, thereby leading to several deteriorative changes in the ecosystem health and a rise in the cases of some serious human ailments including cancer. Further, both HMs and pesticides cause some major metabolic disturbances in plants, which include oxidative burst, osmotic alterations and reduced levels of photosynthesis, leading to a decline in plant productivity. Moreover, the synergistic interaction between pesticides and HMs has a more serious impact on human and ecosystem health. Various attempts have been made to explore eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable methods of improving plant health under HMs and/or pesticide stress. Among these methods, the employment of PGPR can be a suitable and effective strategy for managing these contaminants and providing a long-term remedy. Although, the application of PGPR alone can alleviate HM-induced phytotoxicities; however, several recent reports advocate using PGPR with other micro- and macro-organisms, biochar, chelating agents, organic acids, plant growth regulators, etc., to further improve their stress ameliorative potential. Further, some PGPR are also capable of assisting in the degradation of pesticides or their sequestration, reducing their harmful effects on plants and the environment. This present review attempts to present the current status of our understanding of PGPR's potential in the remediation of pesticides and HMs-contaminated soil for the researchers working in the area.

Changes in soil microbial communities after exposure to neonicotinoids: A systematic review

Neonicotinoids are a group of nicotine-related chemicals widely used as insecticides in agriculture. Several studies have shown measurable quantities of neonicotinoids in the environment but little is known regarding their impact on soil microbial populations. The purpose of this systematic review was to clarify the effects of neonicotinoids on soil microbiology and to highlight any knowledge gaps. A formal systematic review was performed following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses) guidelines using keywords in PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science. This resulted in 29 peer-reviewed articles, whose findings diverged widely because of variable methodologies. Field-based studies were few (28%). Imidacloprid was the most widely used (66%) and soil microbial communities were most sensitive to it. Spray formulations were used in 83% of the studies and seed treatments in the rest. Diversity indices were the most frequently reported soil microbial parameter (62%). About 45% of the studies found that neonicotinoids had adverse impacts on soil microbial community structure, composition, diversity, functioning, enzymatic activity and nitrogen transformation. Interactions with soil physicochemical properties were poorly addressed in all studies. The need for more research, particularly field-based research on the effects of neonicotinoids on soil microorganisms was highlighted by this review.

Distribution, Characterization and the Commercialization of Elite Rhizobia Strains in Africa

Grain legumes play a significant role in smallholder farming systems in Africa because of their contribution to nutrition and income security and their role in fixing nitrogen. Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) serves a critical role in improving soil fertility for legumes. Although much research has been conducted on rhizobia in nitrogen fixation and their contribution to soil fertility, much less is known about the distribution and diversity of the bacteria strains in different areas of the world and which of the strains achieve optimal benefits for the host plants under specific soil and environmental conditions. This paper reviews the distribution, characterization, and commercialization of elite rhizobia strains in Africa.

Paenibacillus sp. Strain UY79, Isolated from a Root Nodule of Arachis villosa, Displays a Broad Spectrum of Antifungal Activity

A nodule-inhabiting Paenibacillus sp. strain (UY79) isolated from wild peanut (Arachis villosa) was screened for its antagonistic activity against diverse fungi and oomycetes (Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium semitectum, Macrophomina phaseolina, Phomopsis longicolla, Pythium ultimum, Phytophthora sojae, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Trichoderma atroviride). The results obtained show that Paenibacillus sp. UY79 was able to antagonize these fungi/oomycetes and that agar-diffusible compounds and volatile compounds (different from HCN) participate in the antagonism exerted. Acetoin, 2,3-butanediol, and 2-methyl-1-butanol were identified among the volatile compounds produced by strain UY79 with possible antagonistic activity against fungi/oomycetes. Paenibacillus sp. strain UY79 did not affect symbiotic association or growth promotion of alfalfa plants when coinoculated with rhizobia. By whole-genome sequence analysis, we determined that strain UY79 is a new species of Paenibacillus within the Paenibacillus polymyxa complex. Diverse genes putatively involved in biocontrol activity were identified in the UY79 genome. Furthermore, according to genome mining and antibiosis assays, strain UY79 would have the capability to modulate the growth of bacteria commonly found in soil/plant communities. IMPORTANCE Phytopathogenic fungi and oomycetes are responsible for causing devastating losses in agricultural crops. Therefore, there is enormous interest in the development of effective and complementary strategies that allow the control of the phytopathogens, reducing the input of agrochemicals in croplands. The discovery of new strains with expanded antifungal activities and with a broad spectrum of action is challenging and of great future impact. Diverse strains belonging to the P. polymyxa complex have been reported to be effective biocontrol agents. Results presented here show that the novel discovered strain of Paenibacillus sp. presents diverse traits involved in antagonistic activity against a broad spectrum of pathogens and is a potential and valuable strain to be further assessed for the development of biofungicides.

Soil Microbiome Manipulation Gives New Insights in Plant Disease-Suppressive Soils from the Perspective of a Circular Economy: A Critical Review

This review pays attention to the newest insights on the soil microbiome in plant disease-suppressive soil (DSS) for sustainable plant health management from the perspective of a circular economy that provides beneficial microbiota by recycling agro-wastes into the soil. In order to increase suppression of soil-borne plant pathogens, the main goal of this paper is to critically discuss and compare the potential use of reshaped soil microbiomes by assembling different agricultural practices such as crop selection; land use and conservative agriculture; crop rotation, diversification, intercropping and cover cropping; compost and chitosan application; and soil pre-fumigation combined with organic amendments and bio-organic fertilizers. This review is seen mostly as a comprehensive understanding of the main findings regarding DSS, starting from the oldest concepts to the newest challenges, based on the assumption that sustainability for soil quality and plant health is increasingly viable and supported by microbiome-assisted strategies based on the next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods that characterize in depth the soil bacterial and fungal communities. This approach, together with the virtuous reuse of agro-wastes to produce in situ green composts and organic bio-fertilizers, is the best way to design new sustainable cropping systems in a circular economy system. The current knowledge on soil-borne pathogens and soil microbiota is summarized. How microbiota determine soil suppression and what NGS strategies are available to understand soil microbiomes in DSS are presented. Disturbance of soil microbiota based on combined agricultural practices is deeply considered. Sustainable soil microbiome management by recycling in situ agro-wastes is presented. Afterwards, how the resulting new insights can drive the progress in sustainable microbiome-based disease management is discussed.

Influence of Frequently Used Chemical Insecticides on Mycoflora Carried by Common Housefly, Musca domestica L

The housefly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), is a major medical and veterinary insect pest. It serves as a vector of many pathogenic microorganisms causing spoilage of food and diseases in human and animals. Use of chemical insecticides is adapted as a principal tool to manage housefly. Insecticides have many unforeseen ecological consequences including effects on non-target organisms. In the present study, we have assessed the effects of 10 different synthetic insecticides on the growth of mycoflora associated with the external body of the housefly by using poison food technique. Our results reveled that all synthetic insecticides enhanced the growth. Surprisingly, in most of the cases, mycelial growth of fungi was significantly increased at high concentration as compared with lower concentration. This study provides useful information about the dangerous effects of synthetic insecticides on environment by increasing the spread of various non-target pathogenic, mycotoxigenic, and food spoiling fungi, carried by houseflies.

Plant growth promoting rhizobia: challenges and opportunities

Modern agriculture faces challenges, such as loss of soil fertility, fluctuating climatic factors and increasing pathogen and pest attacks. Sustainability and environmental safety of agricultural production relies on eco-friendly approaches like biofertilizers, biopesticides and crop residue return. The multiplicity of beneficial effects of microbial inoculants, particularly plant growth promoters (PGP), emphasizes the need for further strengthening the research and their use in modern agriculture. PGP inhabit the rhizosphere for nutrients from plant root exudates. By reaction, they help in (1) increased plant growth through soil nutrient enrichment by nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production and phytohormones production (2) increased plant protection by influencing cellulase, protease, lipase and β-1,3 glucanase productions and enhance plant defense by triggering induced systemic resistance through lipopolysaccharides, flagella, homoserine lactones, acetoin and butanediol against pests and pathogens. In addition, the PGP microbes contain useful variation for tolerating abiotic stresses like extremes of temperature, pH, salinity and drought; heavy metal and pesticide pollution. Seeking such tolerant PGP microbes is expected to offer enhanced plant growth and yield even under a combination of stresses. This review summarizes the PGP related research and its benefits, and highlights the benefits of PGP rhizobia belonging to the family Rhizobiaceae, Phyllobacteriaceae and Bradyrhizobiaceae.

Mobility of indaziflam influenced by soil properties in a semi-arid area

Indaziflam, a broad-spectrum, pre-emergence herbicide was the focus of a field investigation conducted after the identification of sporadic injury symptoms on the pecan trees a few months after the application. The study was conducted in two pecan orchards located in southern New Mexico, USA, and southeastern Arizona, USA. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of indaziflam in the soil profile of areas where pecan trees were injured (impacted) and areas where no injury symptoms were observed (unimpacted), and to determine the relationship between indaziflam concentrations and soil properties in those locations. Soil samples were collected, one year after applications, from six depth representing 0–7, 7–15, 15–30, 30–60, 60–90 and 90–120 cm depth to determine the concentration of indaziflam in impacted and unimpacted areas of the two orchards. Soil samples were analyzed to determine texture, bulk density, organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, pH, nitrate, chloride and calcium concentrations. The detection frequency of indaziflam was higher in Arizona than in New Mexico, likely due to the differences between the tillage practices and sand contents of the orchards. No significant correlations were observed between indaziflam and soil properties, however indaziflam was mostly detected in areas where pecan trees were unimpacted probably as result of greater organic matter content and soil porosity. More research is needed to understand the causes of injury to pecan trees by indaziflam application.

Influence of insecticides flubendiamide and spinosad on biological activities in tropical black and red clay soils

A laboratory experiment has been conducted to investigate the ecological toxicity of flubendiamide and spinosad at their recommended field rates and higher rates (1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 kg ha⁻¹) on cellulase, invertase and amylase in black and red clay soils after 10, 20, 30 and 40-day exposure under controlled conditions in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) soils of Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Flubendiamide and spinosad were stimulatory to the activities of cellulase, invertase and amylase at lower concentrations at 10-day interval. The striking stimulation in soil enzyme activities noticed at 2.5 kg ha⁻¹, persists for 20 days in both soils. Overall, the higher concentrations (5.0–10.0 kg ha⁻¹) of flubendiamide, and spinosad were toxic or innocuous to cellulase, invertase and amylase activities, respectively. The results of the present study thus, clearly, indicate that application of the insecticides in cultivation of groundnut, at field application rates improved the activities of cellulase, invertase and amylase in soils.

Activities of hydrolases and oxidases as influenced by the application of monocrotophos in sandy loam soil of Rajasthan

Continuous and repeated use of pesticides affects soil microbial flora and fauna and hence indirectly affects the activity of diverse microbial enzymes present within it. The present study investigates the interaction effect of different concentrations of monocrotophos on diverse hydrolases and oxidases, viz., protease, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, cellulase, amylase, invertase, arginine deaminase, and dehydrogenase, present in sandy loam soil of Rajasthan under in vitro conditions for 30 days. Soil sample was inoculated with three different concentrations of monocrotophos, viz., 50, 100, and 150 μg kg(-1), and incubated in dark at room temperature. At regular interval of 5 days, sample was withdrawn and enzyme activity was calculated and compared with that of control. Application of various concentrations of monocrotophos enhanced the activity of diverse enzymes present in soil. Therefore, the study revealed synergistic or additive effect of monocrotophos on all the tested microbial enzyme entities. Increasing concentration of the pesticide, however, poses an antagonistic interaction on the increment of different enzymes activities. Therefore, it can be concluded from the study that monocrotophos impose a positive effect at low concentration of pesticide, whereas high concentration poses negative effect on the activity of different enzymes present in soil.

The effects of pesticides on bacterial nitrogen fixers in peanut-growing area

In the peanut production, the applications of herbicides and fungicides are a common practice. In this work, studies done under field conditions demonstrated that pesticides affected negatively the number and nitrogenase activity of diazotrophic populations of soil. Agrochemical effects were not transient, since these parameters were not recovered to pre-treatment levels even 1 year after pesticides application. Results obtained from greenhouse experiments revealed that the addition of herbicide or fungicides diminished the free-living diazotrophs number reaching levels found in soil amended with the pesticides and that the number of symbiotic diazotrophs was not affected by the insecticide assayed. The soil nitrogenase activity was not affected by fungicides and glyphosate. The effect of pesticides on the nitrogen-fixing bacteria diversity was evaluated both in field and greenhouse experiments. Analysis of clone libraries generated from the amplification of soil nifH gene showed a diminution in the genetic diversity of this bacterial community.

Effect of fungicides on plant growth promoting activities of phosphate solubilizing Pseudomonasputida isolated from mustard (Brassica compestris) rhizosphere

This study was navigated to examine the effects of fungicide-stress on the activities of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterium Pseudomonasputida with inherent phosphate solubilizing activity. The fungicide-tolerant and phosphate solubilizing P.putida strain PS9 was isolated from the mustard rhizosphere and tentatively identified following standard morphological, physiological and biochemical tests. To further consolidate the identity of the strain PS9, the 16S rDNA sequence analysis was performed. Following the BLAST program, the strain PS9 was identified as P.putida. In the presence of the varying concentrations (0-3200 μg mL(-1); at a two fold dilution interval) of four fungicides of different chemical families (tebuconazole, hexaconazole, metalaxyl and kitazin) amended in minimal salt agar medium, the P.putida strain PS9 showed a variable tolerance levels (1400-3200 μg mL(-1)) against the tested fungicides. The strain PS9 produced plant-growth-promoting (PGP) substances in significant amount in the absence of fungicides. In general, fungicides applied at the recommended, two and three times of the recommended rates, decreased the PGP attributes of P.putida the strain PS9 and affected the PGP activities in concentration-dependent manner. Fungicides at the recommended dose had minor reducing effect while the doses higher than the recommended dose significantly reduced the PGP activities (phosphate solubilization, salicylic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy benzoic acid, and indole-3-acetic acid production except exo-polysaccharides, hydrogen cyanate and ammonia production). Of the four fungicides, tebuconazole generally, showed maximum toxicity to the PGP activities of the strain PS9. This study inferred that fungicides must be examined in vitro for their possible adverse effects on soil micro flora before their application in agricultural fields. Moreover, the results also suggested the prerequisite of application of fungicide-tolerant PGPR strains as bioinoculants so that their PGP activities may not be suppressed under fungicide stress.

Investigation of the acute toxic effect of chlorpyrifos on Pseudomonas putida in a sterilized soil environment monitored by microcalorimetry

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is moderately persistent in soils. In our study, microcalorimetry was introduced for the first time to explore the acute toxic effect of CPF on a Pseudomonas strain in sterilized soil. Firstly, it was determined by microcalorimetry that P. putida failed to degrade CPF. Then the acute toxicity of increasing concentrations of CPF to P. putida was determined by its temporal effects on metabolism and counts of colony forming units. Results revealed that the increase of CPF concentration could induce a decrease of the growth rate constant (k) and the total thermal effect (Q (T)), representing an inhibiting action on P. putida. In addition, the colony forming units (CFU) for P. putida were counted. Results showed that the number of P. putida decreased with increasing CPF dose after 18 h of incubation in sterilized soil. Interestingly, the trend of the number of CFU was similar to the growth rate constant k, whereas the trend became irregular after 36 h of incubation. This indicated that P. putida resisted and also expresses high metabolic activity during the exponential growth phase of 18 h; thereafter the microorganisms showed a certain adaptation, even declining in number and activity.

Effect of chlorpyrifos on microbial biomass and activities in tropical clay loam soil

Clay loam soil from agricultural field of Gangetic alluvial zone of West Bengal was investigated to evaluate the effect of chlorpyrifos application at field rate (0.5 mg kg(-1) soil) and 100 times of the field rate (50 mg kg(-1) soil) on soil microbial variables under laboratory conditions. Acetone-induced stress on soil microorganisms was evident in the initial stages in terms of microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content in soil and basal soil respiration (BSR) in control soil samples which received acetone only as compared to control soil without acetone. The soil MBC content increased significantly by application of chlorpyrifos. The BSR and the fluorescein diacetate hydrolysing activity (FDHA) were not adversely affected by chlorpyrifos at field rate, whilst the chemical at higher dosage significantly decreased the metabolic activities of soil microbes in terms of BSR and FDHA.

Impact of commonly used agrochemicals on bacterial diversity in cultivated soils

The effects of three selected agrochemicals on bacterial diversity in cultivated soil have been studied. The selected agrochemicals are Cerox (an insecticide), Ceresate and Paraquat (both herbicides). The effect on bacterial population was studied by looking at the total heterotrophic bacteria presence and the effect of the agrochemicals on some selected soil microbes. The soil type used was loamy with pH of 6.0-7.0. The soil was placed in opaque pots and bambara bean (Vigna subterranean) seeds cultivated in them. The agrochemicals were applied two weeks after germination of seeds at concentrations based on manufacturer's recommendation. Plant growth was assessed by weekly measurement of plant height, foliage appearance and number of nodules formed after one month. The results indicated that the diversity index (Di) among the bacteria populations in untreated soil and that of Cerox-treated soils were high with mean diversity index above 0.95. Mean Di for Ceresate-treated soil was 0.88, and that for Paraquattreated soil was 0.85 indicating low bacterial populations in these treatment-type soils. The study also showed that application of the agrochemicals caused reduction in the number of total heterotrophic bacteria population sizes in the soil. Ceresate caused 82.50% reduction in bacteria number from a mean of 40 × 10(5) cfu g(-1) of soil sample to 70 × 10(4) cfu g(-1). Paraquat-treated soil showed 92.86% reduction, from a mean of 56 × 10(5) cfu g(-1) to 40 × 10(4) cfu g(-1). Application of Cerox to the soil did not have any remarkable reduction in bacterial population number. Total viable cell count studies using Congo red yeast-extract mannitol agar indicated reduction in the number of Rhizobium spp. after application of the agrochemicals. Mean number of Rhizobium population numbers per gram of soil was 180 × 10(4) for the untreated soil. Cerox-treated soil recorded mean number of 138 × 10(4) rhizobial cfu g(-1) of soil, a 23.33% reduction. Ceresate- and Paraquat-treated soils recorded 20 × 10(4) and 12 × 10(4) cfu g(-1) of soil, respectively, representing 88.89% and 93.33% reduction in Rhizobium population numbers. Correspondingly, the mean number of nodules per plant was 44 for the growth in untreated soil, 30 for the plant in the Cerox-treated soil, 8 for the plant in Paraquat-treated soil and 3 for the plant in Ceresate-treated soil. The study has confirmed detrimental effect of insecticide on bacterial populations in the soil. Total heterotrophic counts, rhizobial counts as well as the number of nodules of all samples taken from the chemically treated soils were all low as compared to values obtained for the untreated soil. However, the effect of the insecticide was minimal in all cases as compared to the effects of the herbicides on the soil fauna. Indiscriminate use of agrochemicals on farms can therefore affect soil flora and subsequently food production.

Enantiomeric purity of biodegradation products of juvenogens by newly isolated soil bacteria

Two bacteria were isolated from sand RQ30, characterized as Bacillus simplex and Bacillus sp. strain 05 (GenBank EU399813 ), and were used as biocatalysts for a hydrolytic assay of stability of the cis or trans isomers of ethyl N-{2-{4-{[2-(butanoyl)oxycyclohexyl]methyl}phenoxy}ethyl}carbamate, which are among insect hormonogen substances (juvenogens). The stability tests were performed using simple modeling under laboratory conditions. The structures of the products were assigned as ethyl (1 R,2 R)- N-{2-{4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy}ethyl}carbamate and ethyl (1 S,2 R)- N-{2-{4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy}ethyl}carbamate on the basis of (1)H and (13)C NMR, IR, and FAB-MS analyses.

Nitrogen metabolism and seed composition as influenced by glyphosate application in glyphosate-resistant soybean

Previous research has demonstrated that glyphosate can affect nitrogen fixation or nitrogen assimilation in soybean. This 2-year field study investigated the effects of glyphosate application of 1.12 and 3.36 kg of ae ha(-1) on nitrogen metabolism and seed composition in glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean. There was no effect of glyphosate application on nitrogen fixation as measured by acetylene reduction assay, soybean yield, or seed nitrogen content. However, there were significant effects of glyphosate application on nitrogen assimilation, as measured by in vivo nitrate reductase activity (NRA) in leaves, roots, and nodules, especially at high rate. Transiently lower leaf nitrogen or (15)N natural abundance in high glyphosate application soybean supports the inhibition of NRA. With the higher glyphosate application level protein was significantly higher (10.3%) in treated soybean compared to untreated soybean. Inversely, total oil and linolenic acid were lowest at the high glyphosate application rate, but oleic acid was greatest (22%) in treated soybean. These results suggest that nitrate assimilation in GR soybean was more affected than nitrogen fixation by glyphosate application and that glyphosate application may alter nitrogen and carbon metabolism.

Degradation of chlorpyrifos alone and in combination with chlorothalonil and their effects on soil microbial populations

In practice, pesticides are usually applied simultaneously or one after another for crop protection, and this type of pesticide application often leads to a combined contamination of pesticide residues in the soil environment. A laboratory study was conducted to investigate the influence of chlorothalonil on chlorpyrifos degradation and its effects on soil bacterial, fungal, and actinomycete populations. Under the experimental conditions here, the half-lives of chlorpyrifos alone, and in combination with chlorothalonil, at the recommended and double dosages, were measured to be 3.24, 2.77, and 2.63 d, respectively. Chlorpyrifos degradation was not significantly altered by its combination with chlorothalonil. However, the inhibitory effect of chlorpyrifos on soil microorganisms was increased by its combination with chlorothalonil, and the increase was related to the levels of chlorothalonil added. Compared to those in the controls, the populations of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes were significantly reduced by 44.1%, 61.1%, and 72.8%, respectively, on the first day after treatment (DAT) by chlorpyrifos alone. With the addition of chlorothalonil, the inhibition was increased to 55.2%, 79.3%, and 85.8% at the recommended dosage, and 86.0%, 94.1%, and 90.8% at the double dosage, at one DAT, respectively. The results suggested that combined effects should be taken into account to assess the actual impacts of pesticide applications.

Activities of cellulase and amylase in soils as influenced by insecticide interactions

Interaction effects of the insecticides monocrotophos and quinalphos (organophosphates), and cypermethrin (pyrethroid), on microbial activities in two agricultural soils-black vertisol soil and red alfinsol soil were tested for 30 days under laboratory conditions. Individual application of the three insecticides at 5, 10 and 25microg g(-1) to the soil distinctly enhanced the activities of cellulase and amylase. Insecticide combinations involving monocrotophos or quinalphos with cypermethrin yielded synergistic, antagonistic and additive interaction effects on both enzymes in the soils. At lower levels, 5 and 10microg g(-1), the insecticides in combination interacted additively or synergistically toward both enzymes. But, both combinations at the highest level of 25microg g(-1) exhibited an antagonistic interaction, with a reduction in enzyme activities to a level lower than that of the control. Interaction effects of insecticides in combinations on two enzyme activities in both soils were related to populations of cellulolytic and amylolytic organisms in soils under the impact of combination of insecticides. These interaction responses were persistent even for 30 days.

Assessment of bioremediation possibilities of technical grade hexachlorocyclohexane (tech-HCH) contaminated soils

Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) is a broad spectrum insecticide still used in some of the developing countries, though developed countries have banned or curtailed its use. Even in those countries where the use of t-HCH has been discontinued for a number of years, the problem of residues of all isomers of t-HCH remains because of its high persistence. These insecticides in the soil disturb the delicate equilibrium between microorganisms and their environment. Few reports on the degradation of t-HCH isomers in soil are present in literature, and very little information is available on the effect of these t-HCH isomers on soil microflora. In the present study, an attempt has been made to see the microbial diversity in the uncontaminated soils and the effect of application of t-HCH on the soil microflora. The soil was spiked with t-HCH and incubated, at regular time intervals the soil samples were analyzed for microbial diversity as well as t-HCH isomers residues. The results show that at higher concentrations of t-HCH, microbial populations were inhibited and the inhibited populations did not reappear even after prolonged incubation. Potential t-HCH degrading cultures were isolated and subjected to further acclimation in order to enhance their degradation capacity. The results are presented and discussed in this paper.

Ammonium, nitrate and nitrite nitrogen and nitrate reductase enzyme activity in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) fields after diazinon, imidacloprid and lindane treatments

Impacts of diazinon (O,O-diethyl O-2-isopropyl-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl phosphorothioate), imidacloprid [1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-N-nitroimidazolidin-2-ylideneamine] and lindane (1,2,3,4,5.6-hexachlorocyclohexane) treatments on ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite nitrogen and nitrate reductase enzyme activities were determined in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) field for three consecutive years (1997 to 1999). Diazinon was applied for both seed- and soil-treatments but imidacloprid and lindane were used for seed treatments only at recommended rates. Diazinon residues persisted for 60 days in both the cases. Average half-lives (t1/2) of diazinon were found 29.3 and 34.8 days respectively in seed and soil treatments. In diazinon seed treatment, NH4(+), NO3(-), and NO2(-) nitrogen and nitrate reductase activity were not affected. Whereas, diazinon soil treatment indicated significant increase in NH4(+)-N in a 1-day sample, which continued until 90 days. Some declines in NO3(-)N were found from 15 to 60 days. Along with this decline, significant increases in NO2(-)N and nitrate reductase activity were found between 1 and 30 days. Imidacloprid and lindane persisted for 90 and 120 days with average half-lives (t1/2) of 40.9 and 53.3 days, respectively. Within 90 days, imidacloprid residues lost by 73.17% to 82.49% while such losses for lindane residues were found 78.19% to 79.86 % within 120 days. In imidacloprid seed-treated field, stimulation of NO3(-)N and the decline in NH4+NO2(-)-N and nitrate reductase enzyme activity were observed between 15 to 90 days. However, lindane seed treatment indicated significant increases in NH4(+)-N, NO2(-)-N and nitrate reductase activity and some adverse effects on NO3(-)N between 15 and 90 days.

Metabolism of chlorpyrifos in relation to its effect on the availability of some plant nutrients in soil

A laboratory experiment was conducted to study the persistence and metabolism of chlorpyrifos in Gangetic Alluvial soil of West Bengal and also to evaluate their effect on the availability of the major plant nutrients (N, P and K) in soil following the application of chlorpyrifos @ 1 kg (T1), 10 kg (T2) and 100 kg (T3) a.i.ha(-1). The dissipation followed first order kinetics and the calculated half-life (T1/2) values ranged from 20 to 37 days. The primary metabolite of chlorpyrifos, 3,5,6-trichloropyridinol (TCP) was detected from 3rd day after application and was at maximum on 30th day which decreased progressively to non-detectable level (NDL) on 120th day for all the treatment doses. The secondary metabolite 3,5,6-trichloro-2-methoxy pyridine (TMP) was detected on 30th, 15th and 7th day in T1, T2 and T3 doses respectively which decreased to NDL during 90-120th day. ANOVA study revealed significant decrease in the available N and P content in soil treated with chlorpyrifos in comparison to the control set. The inhibitory effect on available N was attributable to TMP and for P it was due to the presence of TCP and TMP rather than chlorpyrifos itself as revealed by the step wise multiple regression technique. In the later stage of incubation, however the average N and P status was recovered significantly at 120 days which might be due to the disappearance of the metabolites. The variation due to time of observations or treatment doses was minimum in case of available K in soil.

Effect of chlorimuron-ethyl on Bradyrhizobium japonicum and its symbiosis with soybean

Possible side-effects of the acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicide chlorimuron-ethyl on Bradyrhizobium japonicum (Kirchner & Jordan) in pure culture and on inoculated soybean plants growing under controlled conditions were investigated. Growth of B japonicum strain E109 was not affected by this herbicide even when exposed to concentrations 150 times higher than recommended field doses. However, nodulation of soybean plants treated 5 days after emergence with chlorimuron-ethyl at standard application rates was impaired: a 38% decrease in the number of nodules per plant was observed four weeks after treatment. Despite nodule number decrease, no changes in shoot nitrogen content could be detected. Total fresh biomass was diminished by 25% in herbicide-treated plants. Leghemoglobin content in nodules did not vary; nevertheless total nodule protein was diminished by 40% in the herbicide-treated group. ALS activity in different soybean tissues and their relative sensitivity to chlorimuron-ethyl were also investigated. Roots and bacteroids had the greatest specific ALS activities. On a fresh weight basis, the bacteroid fraction displayed the highest ALS activity and was also the most tolerant to in vitro chlorimuron addition: 72% of its activity was retained after including 10 microM chlorimuron-ethyl in the reaction mixture. These results indicate that standard application rates of chlorimuron-ethyl will have limited incidence on B japonicum survival, and effects on nodulation may have little long-term consequences on soybean nitrogen fixation potential. The differences found among soybean tissues not only in intrinsic ALS activity but also in their relative sensitivity to this herbicide suggests that, in leguminous plants living in symbiosis with rhizobia, nodules may contribute to an enhanced tolerance to ALS inhibitors.

A comparative study on the dissipation and microbial metabolism of organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in orchaqualf and fluvaquent soils of West Bengal

An experiment has been conducted under laboratory conditions to investigate the effect of phorate (an organophosphate insecticide) and carbofuran (a carbamate insecticide) at their recommended field rates (1.5 and 1.0 kga.i.ha-1, respectively) on the growth and multiplication of microorganisms as well as rate of dissipation and persistence of the insecticidal residues including their metabolites in laterite (typic orchaqualf) and alluvial (typic fluvaquent) soils of West Bengal. Application of phorate and carbofuran in general, induced growth and development of bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, N2-fixing bacteria and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms in both the soils and the stimulation was more pronounced with phorate as compared to carbofuran. Application of phorate recorded highest stimulation of fungi in laterite and actinomycetes in alluvial soil. Carbofuran on the other hand, augmented fungi and N2-fixing bacteria in laterite and actinomycetes in alluvial soil. Bacterial population was inhibited due to the application of carbofuran in alluvial soil. Phorate sulfoxide and phorate sulfone, the two metabolites of phorate and 3-hydroxycarbofuran and 3-ketocarbofuran, the two metabolites of carbofuran isolated were less persistent in both the soils. Phorate persisted in laterite and alluvial soils up to 45 and 60 days, respectively depicting the half-life (T1/2) 9.7 and 11.5 days, respectively while the T1/2 of carbofuran for the said soils were 16.9 and 8.8 days, respectively. No metabolite of carbofuran was detected in soils after 30 days of incubation while phorate sulfone persisted in alluvial soil even after 60 days of application of the insecticide.

Available nitrogen and arginine deaminase activity in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) fields after imidacloprid, diazinon, and lindane treatments

Plant available nitrogen and arginine deaminase activities were determined in insecticide-treated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) fields between July and November for three consecutive years (1997-1999). Diazinon was applied for both seed and soil treatments. However, imidacloprid and lindane were used only for the seed treatments. An average half-life (t(1/2)) of diazinon in seed- and soil-treated fields was 29.32 and 34.87 days, respectively. Its residues were detected till 60 days in both seed- and soil-treated fields. Diazinon treatments had shown stimulatory effects on available nitrogen in both types of treatments. However, the increase in arginine deaminase activity was only observed in diazinon soil-treated field. Residues of imidacloprid and lindane were detected in seed-treated fields till 90 and 120 days with an average half-life (t(1/2)) of 40.96 and 53.39 days, respectively. Imidacloprid had stimulatory effects, and lindane had adverse effects on both available nitrogen and arginine deaminase activities.

Interaction effects of insecticides on microbial populations and dehydrogenase activity in a black clay soil

Three insecticides, monocrotophos, quinalphos, and cypermethrin, were applied at 0, 5, 10, and 25 microg g(-1) either singly or in combination to a black clay soil to investigate their effects on the soil microflora and dehydrogenase activity. All three insecticides significantly enhanced the proliferation of bacteria and fungi and the soil dehydrogenase activity even at the highest level of 25 microg g(-1). Monocrotophos or quinalphos in combination with cypermethrin at tested levels interacted significantly to yield additive, synergistic, and antagonistic responses toward bacteria and fungi and dehydrogenase activity in soil. Antagonistic interactions were more pronounced toward soil microflora and dehydrogenase activity when the two (monocrotophos or quinalphos + cypermethrin) insecticides were present together in the soil at highest level (25 + 25 microg g(-1)), whereas synergistic or additive responses occurred at lower level with the same combination of insecticides in soil.

Bacterial, azotobacter, actinomycetes, and fungal population in soil after diazinon, imidacloprid, and lindane treatments in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) fields

Bacterial, azotobacter, actinomycetes, and fungal populations were determined in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) fields between July and November for three consecutive years (1997-1999) after insecticide treatments. Diazinon was applied for both seed and soil treatments. However, imidacloprid and lindane were used for seed treatments. An average half-life (t1/2) of diazinon in seed- and soil-treated fields was found to be 29.32 and 34.87 days, respectively. Its residues were found for 60 days in both cases. In diazinon seed treatment, an increase in azotobacter, fungi, and actinomycetes populations was observed in samples from the 15th and 30th days, and this trend continued until crop harvest. However, the bacterial population had not been affected by this treatment. The diazinon soil treatment had indicated some significant adverse effects on fungi and actinomycetes population, which recovered after 30 days. The population of bacteria and azotobacter increased significantly in this treatment. The residues of imidacloprid and lindane were found for 90 and 120 days with an average half-life of 40.9 and 53.3 days, respectively. Imidacloprid had no significant effect on fungi and actinomycetes populations up to 15 days, and between 15 to 60 days some adverse effects were indicated. However, some significant increases in bacterial and azotobacter population were observed. Lindane had no effect on bacterial and fungal population. However, its adverse effects were observed in actinomycetes and azotobacter populations between 30 to 60 days.

Impact of glyphosate on the Bradyrhizobium japonicum symbiosis with glyphosate-resistant transgenic soybean: a minireview

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] expressing an insensitive 5-enolpyruvylshikimic acid-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene has revolutionized weed control in soybean production. The soybean nitrogen fixing symbiont, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, possesses a glyphosate-sensitive enzyme and upon exposure to glyphosate accumulates shikimic acid and hydroxybenzoic acids such as protocatechuic acid (PCA), accompanied with B. japonicum growth inhibition and death at high concentrations. In a series of greenhouse and field experiments, glyphosate inhibited nodulation and nodule leghemoglobin content of GR soybean. Glyphosate accumulated in nodules of field-grown GR soybean, but its effect on nitrogenase activity of GR soybean was inconsistent in field studies. In greenhouse studies, nitrogenase activity of GR soybean following glyphosate application was transiently inhibited especially in early growth stages, with the greatest inhibition occurring under moisture stress. Studies using bacteroid preparations showed that the level of glyphosate inhibition of bacteroid nitrogenase activity was related to in vitro glyphosate sensitivity of the B. japonicum strains. These studies indicate the potential for reduced nitrogen fixation in the GR soybean system; however, yield reductions due to this reduced N2 fixation in early stages of growth have not been demonstrated.

Influence and persistence of phorate and carbofuran insecticides on microorganisms in rice field

An experiment was conducted in microplots (4 m x 4 m) with two insecticides, phorate and carbofuran at rates of 1.5 and 1.0 kga.i.ha(-1) respectively, to investigate its effect on the population and distribution of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi as well as the persistence of the insecticidal residues in rhizosphere soils of rice (Oryza sativa L., variety IR-50). Application of the insecticides stimulated the population of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi in the rhizosphere soils, and the stimulation was more pronounced with phorate as compared to carbofuran. Both the insecticides did not have marked effect on the numbers of Streptomyces and Nocardia in the rhizosphere soils. However, the growth of Bacillus, Escherichia, Flavobacterium, Micromonospora, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Trichoderma with phorate and that of Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Flavobacterium, Aspergillus and Phytophthora with carbofuran were increased. On the other hand, the numbers of Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Fusarium, Humicola and Rhizopus under phorate and Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Klebsiella, Fusarium, Humicola and Rhizopus under carbofuran were inhibited. Both the insecticides persisted in the rhizosphere soil for a short period of time and the rate of dissipation of carbofuran was higher than that of phorate in the soil depicting the half-life (T1/2) 9.1 and 10.4 days, respectively.

The effect of the herbicide diuron on soil microbial activity

The inhibitory effect of the herbicide diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] on microbial activity in red Latosol soil was followed using microcalorimetry. The activity of the micro-organisms in 1.50 g of soil sample was stimulated by addition of 6.0 mg of glucose and 6.0 mg of ammonium sulfate under 35% controlled humidity at 298.15 (+/- 0.02) K. This activity was determined by power-time curves that were recorded for increasing amounts of diuron, varying from zero to 333.33 micrograms g-1 soil. An increase in the amount of diuron in soil caused a decrease of the original thermal effect, to reach a null value above 333.33 micrograms g-1 of herbicide. The power-time curve showed that the lag-phase period and peak time increased with added herbicide. The decrease of the thermal effect evolved by micro-organisms and the increase of the lag-phase period are associated with the death of microbial populations caused by diuron, which strongly affects soil microbial communities.

Influence of insecticides on microbial transformation of nitrogen and phosphorus in Typic Orchragualf soil

Four insecticides, viz., BHC, phorate, carbofuran, and fenvalerate, were applied at the rate of 7.5, 1.5, 1.0, and 0.35 kg a.i. ha(-)(1), respectively, to investigate their effects on the growth and activities of N(2)-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms in relation to the availability of N and P in laterite (Typic Orchragualf) soil. Insecticides in general, and BHC and phorate in particular, stimulated the proliferation of aerobic nonsymbiotic N(2)-fixing bacteria and phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms and also their biochemical activities, such as nonsymbiotic N(2)-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing capacities, which resulted in greater release of available N (NH(4)(+) and NO(3)(-)) and P in soil. All the insecticides were persistent in soil for a short period of time, and the rate of dissipation was highest for fenvalerate followed by phorate, carbofuran, and BHC, depicting the half-lives (T(1/2)) 8.8, 9.7, 16.9, and 20.6 days, respectively. The insecticides followed first-order reaction kinetics during their dissipation in soil.

Insecticides: their effect on microorganisms and persistence in rice soil

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of four insecticides, HCH, phorate, carbofuran and fenvalerate, at recommended doses on the preponderance of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi. We also measured the persistence of the insecticides in the rhizosphere soil of rice. HCH and fenvalerate stimulated the proliferation of all of the microorganisms significantly. Phorate increased the population of bacteria and actinomycetes. Carbofuran accentuated the preponderance of actinomycetes in soil. Insecticides, in general, did not have marked influence on the proliferation of Bacillus, Streptomyces, Aspergillus and Fusarium in soil. However, we observed a stimulation of growth of Staphylococcus, Proteus and Sarcina with HCH, Pseudomonas, Corynebacterium, Erysipelothrix and Rhizopus with phorate, Serratia, Corynebacterium, Klebsiella, Escherichia, Rhizopus and Humicola with carbofuran, and Staphylococcus, Sarcina, Klebsiella and Nocardia with fenvalerate. On the other hand, there was an inhibition in growth of Pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Nocardia and Penicillium with HCH, of Pseudomonas, Micrococcus and Penicillium with carbofuran, and of Pseudomonas, Micrococcus and Micromonospora with fenvalerate. Different types of insecticides exhibited differential patterns of dissipation in soil. HCH had the highest persistence followed by phorate, carbofuran and fenvalerate, respectively.