The effects of nicosulfuron and glyphosate on microbial activity of different soils

Abstract

The effects of the nicosulfuron and glyphosate herbicides on microbial activity in two soils with different physical and chemical properties (loam and sand) were investigated. Nicosulfuron was applied at the rates of 0.3, 0.6, 3.0 and 30.0 mg kg(-1) soil and glyphosate at 32.6, 65.2, 326.0 and 3260.0 mg kg(-1) soil in the laboratory. Changes in dehydrogenase and urease activity, as well as in microbial biomass carbon, were examined. Samples for the analysis were collected at 3, 7, 14, 30 and 45 days after herbicide application. The results showed that the effects of nicosulfuron and glyphosate depended on treatment rate, duration of activity, test parameters and soil types. In general, application of the herbicides significantly increased the activity of dehydrogenase and urease. Nicosulfuron had a stimulating activity on microbial biomass carbon in loam, while both herbicides demonstrated negative effects on the parameter in the sandy soil.