NISHA SAHU, P. RAHA, ASHA SAHU AND UDAI B. SINGH
Abstract
The effects of acephate on microbial activities in alluvial soil (Typic Ustochrepts) under controlled laboratory conditions were examined. Acephate was applied at recommended dose (RD) and double the recommended dose (2RD). The change in microbial activity was measured by soil respiration (evolution of CO2), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis over a period of 42 days. The laboratory incubation study was carried out at 60% of maximum water holding capacity of soils at 28±2 0C. Samples were collected for the analysis at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42 days after acephate application. Acephate application resulted in positive effect on soil respiration and FDA. MBC changed but for a short period. It can be concluded that the effect of acephate on the soil microbial activity depended on its application rate and duration of activity. However, the changes detected were found to be transient but field studies are required for obtaining more realistic picture long-term.