CHLORANTRINIPROLE AND ITS EFFECT ON THE SOIL ECOSYSTEM

Abstract

In modern agriculture, pesticides are frequently used for increasing the yield by protecting the crops from pests. These pesticides have a negative impact on the soil health and its microbial population. The present investigation was done to evaluate the impact of insecticide Chlorantraniliprole on the total microbial populations, enzymatic activity and various physical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity and organic carbon) in Phaseolus vulgaris cultivated soils. Soil samples were collected before the insecticide spray and on the 3rd, 10th, 20th and 30th day after the insecticide spray from the Phaseolus vulgaris cultivated fields of Singanayakanahalli, Doddaballapur, (Field 1), from fields sprayed with the recommended amount of the pesticide (Field 2) and from field treated with only manure (Field 3) (University of Agricultural Sciences; Bengaluru). Results indicated a significant reduction in the microbial populations and the enzymatic activity. After this initial reduction, the impact of the pesticide became weaker and there was a rise in the microbial population and the enzymatic activity. The values were recorded highest in the 30th day sample. Field 2 and Field 3 soils showed minimum variation with respect to the parameters considered.