OUTLINE OF RESEARCH WORK

OF
POST GRADUATE RESEARCH

EFFICACY OF CERTAIN AGROCHEMICALS

APPLICATION AT FIELD RATES ON
PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL
PROPERTIES OF RHIZOSPHERIC SOIL IN MAIZE

Submitted by
KOLHE VINAYKUMAR SHIRISH
Reg.No. 99M 2008A

Research Guide
Mrs. M. G. PATIL
Jr. Microbiologist
AICRP on Weed Control
M.A.U, Parbhani.

Submitted to
HEAD
DEPARTMENT OF PLANT PATHOLOGY
P.G. PROGRAMME
M.A.U, PARBHANI 431 402 (M.S.)
 OUTLINE OF RESEARCH WORK

1. Name of the Student : KOLHE VINAYKUMAR SHIRISH

2. Registration No. : 99M 2008A

3. Degree : M.Sc. (Agri.)

4. Year of admission : 2008

5. Discipline : Plant Pathology

6. Major Field : Plant Pathology

7. Minor Field : Agricultural Statistics, Plant

Biotechnology, Entomology,
Agril. Extention, Plant Physiology.

8. Title of Thesis : “EFFICACY OF CERTAIN

AGROCHEMICALS APPLICATION AT
FIELD RATES ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL
AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF
RHIZOSPHERIC SOIL IN MAIZE”
9. Objectives :
1. To study effect of Agrochemicals on microbial
count in rhizospheric soil of maize.
2. To study effect of Agrochemicals on pH,
Electrical Conductivity, Organic Carbon of
rhizospheric soil of maize.
3. To study effect of Agrochemicals on Microbial
Biomass Carbon and Basal Soil respiration in
rhizospheric soil.
4. To study effect of Agrochemicals on nitrogen
mineralization following the aerobic process.
5. To study effect of Agrochemicals on disease
incidence, disease intensity, disease index, grain
weight and yield of maize.

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10. Introduction:
Maize (Zea mays L) is one of the most important cereals of the world
and provides more human food than any other cereal. Maize is of American
origin having been domesticated about 7000 years ago. Maize provides
nutrients for humans and animals and serves as a basic raw material for the
production of starch, oil and protein, alcoholic beverages, food sweeteners and,
more recently, fuel.
The area under the maize is continuously increasing over the years. If
we examine production figures, global maize production reached its high of 712
million tons during 2004-05.
It is inferred that USA has the lion’s share in total global maize production
accounting for 30% of the production. Other major maize producers are China
(15%), EU – 25 (14%), Brazil (4%) and India (3%). India is the fifth largest
producer of maize in the world contributing 3% of the global production.
India’s maize production has increased from less than 3 million tones to
15 million tones today. Area brought under maize in India was 35.22 lakh
hectares up from 27.36 lakh hectares planted during the corresponding period
last year.
Microbial a c t i v i t y i s t h e general term use d to indicate the
vast range of activities carried out by soil microorganisms Landi et al., (2000).
It is markedly influenced by changes in environmental factors and soil
conditions Bloem et al., (2006). Biological parameters may rapidly reflect
even small changes that occur in soil, providing accurate data about soil
quality Smith and Papendick, ( 1 9 9 3 ) . Pascual et al., ( 2 0 0 0 ) . Soil
microorganisms, particularly soil fungi, represent a biogeosphere component
determining the level of their real toxic effect, since they take part in their
detoxification and mineralization, using them as carbon and energy
sources Dukiã and Mandiã (1998), Nunez e t a l., (2001). fungicides applied
perform inhibition of soil fungi development during the first two months
following their application Mandiã et al.(2005) Recently, Zhao et al(2008)

stated that the application of elemental sulfur (thirty mg/kg2 ¹) increased the

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amount of soil microorganism (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes), and
enhance soil microbial activity. Das and Mukherjee (1998),. stated that, the
Hexachlorocyclohexane (BHC) followed by phorate significantly stimulated
the populations of (total) bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi and aerobic non-sym
biotic N 2-fixing bacteria in soil.
The complexity of the soil system is determined by the numerous and diverse
interactions among its physical, chemical and biological components as modulated by
the prevalent environmental conditions (Buscot, 2005). The great array of root-
microbe interactions results in the development of a dynamic environment known as
the rhizosphere where microbial communities also interact.
There is a need to study effect of agrochemicals on quality and quantity basis
so as to analyze beneficial and harmful effects regarding soil health because world is
proceeding in the direction of organic farming and sustainable farming.
So, considering the impact of agrochemicals, the present investigation has
planned with the following objectives.
1. To study effect of Agrochemicals on microbial count in rhizospheric soil of
maize.
2. To study effect of Agrochemicals on pH, Electrical Conductivity, Organic
Carbon of rhizospheric soil in maize.
3. To study effect of Agrochemicals on Microbial Biomass Carbon and Basal
Soil respiration in rhizospheric soil.
4. To study effect of Agrochemicals on nitrogen mineralization following the
aerobic process.
5. To study effect of Agrochemicals on disease incidence, disease intensity,
disease index, grain weight and yield of maize.

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11. Review of Literature:

Effect of fungicide on soil properties and plant parameters:

Shukla et al.(1990) had given the details of effects of mancozeb, carbendazim
and copper oxychloride on soil population of fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes and algae.
In general, treatments reduced the number of microorganisms, although carbendazim
stimulated fungal and bacterial population to ascertain extent.
Anonymous (2006) conducted research at Cornell University reported that
fungicides have little effect on long term population of putting green microbes.
Cycon (2007) reported that the most adverse effect of fungal population was
observed in the soil treated with the fungicide mixture. All the dosages used for
mancozeb + dimethomorph significantly decreased the numbers of fungi one day
after fungicide application, at the highest dosage the number of fungi drastically
decreased and become one order lower as compared to the control.

Effect of herbicide on soil properties and plant parameters:

Ayansina and Oso (2006) suggested that herbicide treatment at both
recommended and 1.5 X recommended rates resulted in decrease in microbial counts.
Higher concentration of herbicides treatment resulted in much lower microbial counts
compared to soil treated with recommended dose.
Mishra and Chandrabhanu (2006) The herbicide could affect root nodulation
and also change effectiveness of rhizobia especially after long-term exposer to
residues of persistent herbicides.
Effect of Azospirillum seed treatment on soil properties and plant parameters:
FALLIK et al.,(1988) Noticed high concentration of Pseudomonas (108 cfu g-
1
sand) diminished the influence of Azospirillum on root surface area. Azospirillum
did not contribute to the increase of root surface area once the organic matter mixed
with sand exceeded 1% by weight.
Okon (1994) and Bashan (1999). The nitrogen-fixing Azospirillum bacteria
are known to benefit plant development and yield under appropriate conditions.

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12. PROGRAMME OF RESEARCH WORK
1. To study effect of Agrochemicals on microbial count in rhizospheric soil of
maize.
2. To study effect of Agrochemicals on pH, Electrical Conductivity, Organic
Carbon of rhizospheric soil in maize.
3. To study effect of Agrochemicals on Microbial Biomass Carbon and Basal
Soil respiration in rhizospheric soil.
4. To study effect of Agrochemicals on nitrogen mineralization following the
aerobic process.
5. To study effect of Agrochemicals on disease incidence, disease intensity,
disease index, grain weight and yield of maize.

METHODOLOGY-
CROP : Maize (Zea mays L)
VARIETY : Karveer
DESIGN : RBD (Randomized Block Design)
TREATMENTS : Eight
REPLICATION : Three
PLOT SIZE : 3.6 X 3.6 m2

TREATMENT DETAILS-
T1 Weedy Check (Control)
T2 Mechanical Weeding (M.W.)
T3 Atrazin @ 0.75 Kg/ ha PE. (Pre- Emergence)
T4 Atrazin @ 1.5 Kg/ ha PE. (Pre- Emergence)
T5 Atrazin @ 0.75 Kg/ ha PE. (Pre- Emergence) followed by 2,4- D @ 0.5 Kg/
ha (Post- Emergence).
T6 Carbendazim @ 3g/kg seed
T7 Carbendazim @ 2g/kg seed
T8 Seed Treatment with Azospirillum @ 250g/ 10 Kg seeds.

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OBSERVATION DETAILS
A. Microbial Count:
1. Total Bacterial Count.
2. Total Fungal Count.
B. Chemical Properties of Soil:
3. pH of Soil.
4. E.C. (Electrical Conductivity) of Soil.
5. O.C. (Organic Carbon) of Soil.
6. Nitrogen Mineralization (Aerobic).
C. Biological Properties of Soil:
7. Microbial Biomass Carbon of Soil.
8. Basal Soil Respiration.
D. Plant Disease Diagnosis:
9. Disease incidence
10. Disease Index
E. Plant Parameters:
11. Grain weight
12. Yield

TIME OF OBSERVATION-
MAIZE
1) At maximum vegetative growth stage (30 DAS).
2) At flowering stage (50 DAS).
3) At harvest (100- 110 DAS).

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13. LITERATURE CITED-

Anonymous (2006). Non-target effects of fungicide application on microbial

populations of putting greens. Green Section Record, USA, 1- 6.

Anonymous (2007a). http://www.ficci.com

Anonymous (2007b). http://www.sopa.org/introduction.htm

Anonymous (2007c). Hindu Survey of India.

Ayansina A. D. V. and Oso B. A.(2006). Effect of two commonly used herbicides on

soil microflora at two different concentrations. African J. Biotechnol.,
5(2):129-132.

Bashan Y (1999) Interactions of Azospirillum spp. in soils: a review. Biol. Fertil. Soils
29: 246–256.

Bloem, D., W. Hopkins and A. B enedetti, 2006. Microbiological Methods for

Assessing Soil Quality. C A B I Publishing, C A B International,
Oxford shire, U K.

Buscot F. 2005. What are soils? In: Buscot F, Varma S,eds. Microorganisms in soils:
roles in genesis and functions. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer
Verlag, 3–18.

Cycon, M. and Piotrowska Seget Z. (2007). Effect of selected pesticides on soil

microflora involved in organic matter and nitrogen transformation: Pot
experiment. Polish J. Ecol., 55(2): 207- 220.

Das, A .C. and D . Mukherjee, 1998. Insec ticidal effe cts on soil
microorganisms and their biochemical processes related to soil
fertility. World J. of Microbiology and biotechnology, 14(6):
903-909.

FALLIK E, OKON Y, FISCHER M.(1988) Growth response of maize roots to

Azospirillum inoculation: effect of soil organic matter content,

8
 number of rhizosphere bacteria and timing of inoculation. Soil Biol.
Biochem, 20, 45.

Jeffries P, Barea JM . 2001. Arbuscular mycorrhiza: a key component of

sustainable plant–soil ecosystems. In: Hock B, ed. The Mycota:
fungal associations, Vol. IX. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer,
95–113.

Kennedy AC. 1998. The rhizosphere and spermosphere. In: Sylvia DM, Fuhrmann
JJ, Hartel PG, Zuberer DA, eds. Principles and applications o f soil
microbiology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 389
-407.

Kloepper JW, Zablotowick RM, Tipping EM, Lifshitz R. 1991.Plant growth

promotion mediated by bacterial rhizosphere colonizers. In: Keister
DL, Cregan PB, eds. The rhizosphere and plant growth. Dordrecht,
The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 315–326.

Kjoller, R. and R osend a hl, 2000. E ffect of fungic id e s o n

arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungi: differential responses in alkaline phosphatase
activity of external and internal hyphae, Biol. Fertil. Soils,
31: 361-365.

Landi, L., G. Renella, J.L. Moreno, L. Falchini and P. Nannipieri, 2000.

Influence of cadmium on the metabolic quotient, L -: D–
glutamic
acid respiration ratio and enzyme activity: microbial biomass ratio
u n d er laboratory conditions. Appl. Soil E col., 7: 245–255.

Mishra, J. S. and Chandra Bhanu, (2006). Effect of herbicides on weeds, nodulation

and growth of rhizobium in summer black gram (Vigna mungo).
Indian J. weed sci., 38(1 & 2):150-153.

Nunez, A .E. A . Cabalero a n d J . Romas, 2 0 0 1 .Biological Degradation o f

2 ,4 , 6 -Trinitrotoluene, Microbiology and Molecular Biology

9
 Reviews, 65(3): 335-352.

Pascual, J.A., C. Garcia, T. Hernandez, J.L. Moreno and M. Ros, 2000.

Soil microbial activity as biomarker of degradation and
remediation processes. Soil Biol. Biochem., 32: 1877-1883.

Okon Y (1994) Azospirillum/plant Associations. CRC Press, Boca Raton.

Shukla D. S., Chaturvedi R. and Shrivastav S. K. (1990). Effect of various fungicides

on microbial population of soil and some soil factors. J. Environ. Biol.,
11(3):291-298.

Singh, B. P., Agarwal, V.K. (1993). Effect of fungicidal seed treatments and
rhizobium inoculations on nodulation in soybean. Seed
Research 21(1):63-65.

Smith, L.J., R.I. Papendick, 1993. Soil orga nic matter dynamics and
crop
residue management (In Soil Microbial Ecology, Ed. B.
Metling)
- Marcel Dekker, New York.

Wardle, D .A. and D. Parkinson, 1 990. Effects of three herbicides on soil

microbial biomass and activity lant Soil, 122: 21-28.

Z ha o, Y., X. X in, B. Dongmei and H. Feng, 2008. Effects o f Sulfur

Fertilization
in nitrogen and carbon transformation Pesticides, in: T he
Powdery Mildews. D .M. Spencer, ed. Academic Press,
London.

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14. FACILITIES REQUIRED AND THEIR
AVAILABILITY
Field facilities are available at All India coordinated Research Project on
Weed Control, MAU, Parbhani that will be made available for present study.
Laboratory facilities are available in Department of Plant Pathology, Department of
Soil Science and Agril. Chemistry, MAU; Parbhani.

15. PLACE OF RESEARCH WORK

All India coordinated Research Project on Weed Control Laboratory, MAU,
Parbhani and Department Of Plant Pathology, MAU, Parbhani.

Date: -
Signature Of Student
(Kolhe V. S.)

Chairman
(Mrs. M. G. Patil)
Junior Microbiologist,
AICRP On Weed Control,
MAU, Parbhani.

Recommended by-
Head Of Department,
Department of Plant Pathology,
MAU, Parbhani.
Approved By,

11
 Associate Dean (PG),
College Of Agriculture,
MAU, Parbhani.

16. ORW PROPOSED BY THE ADVISORY

COMMITTEE
Date: -
Signature Of Student
(Kolhe V. S.)

Chairman
Mrs. M. G. Patil
Junior Microbiologist,
AICRP On Weed Control,
MAU, Parbhani.

Members-
Dr. G. D. Deshpande,
Head Of Department,
Department of Plant Pathology,
MAU, Parbhani.

Dr. P. V. Khalikar,
Associate Professor,
Department of Plant Pathology,
MAU, Parbhani.

Dr. K. S. Kulthe,
Associate Professor,
Department of Plant Pathology,
MAU, Parbhani.

12
Recommended By,
Head Of
Department,
Department of Plant Pathology,
MAU, Parbhani.

Approved By,
Associate Dean (PG),
College Of Agriculture,
MAU, Parbhani.

13