STUDYING THE IMPACT OF FOUR PRE-EMERGENCE HERBICIDES ON PADDY-FIELD SOIL MICROFLORA
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Author(s):
THYANSWERCHALLAM, STEVENSON THABAH
Vol - 9, Issue- 3 ,
Page(s) : 404 - 416
(2018 )
DOI : https://doi.org/10.32804/IRJMST
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Abstract
Herbicides are popular with the rice-farming community due to the economic advantage that they confer. However, these herbicides, while offering short-term advantages may have a more permanent negative impact on long term productivity and yield. Soil microbial communities which play an important role in nutrient transformation and cycling may be adversely impacted by herbicides. In this study the impact of four commonly used pre-emergence herbicides – Pretilachlor, Butachlor, Oxadiazon and Anilophos on rhizosphericsoil bacteria was compared. Changes to soil physico-chemical properties, microbial activities and soil enzymatic activities were studied. Herbicide dosages were varied between Recommended Field Rate (RFR) and upto ten times the recommended rate (10xRFR). While no long term negative impact on soil dwelling bacteria could be observed at the recommended rates of application, changes to pH and organic carbon content and even soil enzymatic activities were more pronounced at higher rates of application.
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