Effect of metalaxyl on soil microbial population

Abstract

Influence of metalaxyl [Methyl N-(2 methoxyacetyl)-N-(2, 6, xylyl)-DL alanihate] on total microbiai population and nitrifying organisms was studied in a sandy loam soil under laboratory conditions. Low concentration of metalaxyl stimulated the bacterial and actinomycete population, but its higher levels significantly inhibited the population. However, different doses of metalaxyl inhibited fungal and Azolobacler population al all slates of observation. In general, metalaxyl recorded low microbial counts during later period of incubation. Interestingly, 0.5 ppm and 1 ppm of metalaxyl did not affect Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter population: however, at higher concentration it significantly inhibited the nitrification process.