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Microbiological Effects and Persistence of Some Pesticide Combinations in Soil
Author(s) -
Hubbell D. H.,
Rothwell D. F.,
Wheeler W. B.,
Tappan W. B.,
Rhoads F. M.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1973.00472425000200010013x
Subject(s) - persistence (discontinuity) , parathion , pesticide , zineb , parathion methyl , toxicology , nitrification , significant difference , zoology , soil water , chemistry , biology , agronomy , fungicide , ecology , nitrogen , medicine , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , mancozeb , engineering
Zineb, parathion, DDT, and Furadan were applied alone and in combination to field plots, with times and rates of application approximating current agronomic practice for the growth of shade‐leaf tobacco in the area of Quincy, Florida. Persistence of the pesticides in the soil and possible effects of the pesticides on relative microbial numbers and nitrification were monitored at 2‐week intervals over a period of 16 weeks. Relative numbers of bacteria and actinomycetes in all treatments failed to differ significantly from the untreated control. Fungi increased significantly (5% level) in the parathion + DDT + zineb treatment. There were no other significant differences in microbial numbers. Nitrification, as indicated by levels of NO 3 ‐N, showed no significant difference due to treatments when compared to the control at the 5% level. Parathion applied as a single dose was present in the soil in significantly higher amounts initially when compared with treatments where parathion was applied on a weekly basis. This difference disappeared after 6 weeks. There were no other significant differences in pesticide persistence in the soil.