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Microbial response to bensulfuron-methyl treatment in soil
A M El-Ghamry1, J M Xu, C Y Huang
1Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|January 5, 2002
Summary
Bensulfuron-methyl herbicide temporarily reduced soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and suppressed nitrogen mineralization, especially at higher application rates. These effects on soil microbes were transient.
Area of Science:
- Soil Science
- Environmental Chemistry
- Microbiology
Background:
- Herbicides can impact soil microbial communities and nutrient cycling.
- Understanding the effects of bensulfuron-methyl on soil health is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of bensulfuron-methyl on soil microbial biomass and nitrogen (N) mineralization.
- To determine the dose-dependent and temporal effects of bensulfuron-methyl on soil microbial parameters.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory incubation study using a loamy sand soil.
- Application of bensulfuron-methyl at varying rates (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 µg g⁻¹).
- Measurement of soil microbial biomass carbon (Cmb), microbial biomass nitrogen (Nmb), and N-mineralization rate (k) over time.
Main Results:
- Bensulfuron-methyl significantly decreased Cmb and Nmb within 7 days at 0.1 and 1.0 µg g⁻¹.
- N-mineralization was suppressed for the first 5 days at higher herbicide rates.
- Impacts were more pronounced on Nmb than Cmb and were rate-dependent.
Conclusions:
- Bensulfuron-methyl exhibits a transitory negative effect on soil microbial biomass and N-mineralization.
- Higher application rates of bensulfuron-methyl lead to more significant, yet temporary, impacts on soil microbial communities.
- Soil microbial responses are closely related to herbicide application rates within the tested range.