A Study on the Response of Soil Microbes Under the Influence of Fertilizers and Pesticides

Abstract

This research paper investigates the effects of various agricultural pesticides—glyphosate, mancozeb, and diazinon—on specific soil microbial populations. The study considers these impacts across three different soil orders and two soil moisture contents, and their combinations, in a pot experiment. The main findings demonstrated differential effects: glyphosate significantly decreased total actinomycetes while increasing total bacteria, proteolytic bacteria, and fungi; mancozeb significantly decreased proteolytic bacteria and fungi; and diazinon significantly increased total bacteria and proteolytic bacteria. Soil type also played a crucial role, with Agholan soil showing the greatest reduction in proteolytic bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes, while Girdarasha soil showed a more significant increase in microbial population counts. Furthermore, 100% soil moisture content demonstrated more significant effects on soil microbial populations. The interactions between pesticides, soil orders, and moisture contents also showed different significant effects on soil characteristics. This study highlights the complex interactions that govern soil microbial health in agricultural systems, emphasising the need for understanding these dynamics for sustainable pesticide management.