IN-VITRO EFFECT OF PESTICIDES ON CARBON-DIOXIDE EVOLUTION AND DEHYDROGENASE-ACTIVITIES IN SOIL

Application of different concentrations of Metalaxyl [methyl-N-(2-meth oxyacetyl)-N-(2, 6, xylyl)-DL-alaninate] and Pendimethalin [N-(1-ethyl propyl)-2, 6, dinitro-3, 4-xylidine] inhibited the O-2 uptake and the activities of enzyme dehydrogenase in a sandy loam soil at different s tages of incubation. Microbial respiration and dehydrogenase activitie s were found sensitive with increasing concentrations of pesticides. A mong the two compounds Metalaxyl was found to be less toxic when compa red to Pendimethalin.