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Pak. J. Bot., 44: 305-309, Special Issue March 2012.

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INTERACTION AMONG SOIL MYCOFLORA AMENDED WITH SEQUENTIAL APPLICATION OF THREE DIFFERENT PESTICIDES (SYSTOATE, AFUGAN, K-OTHRINE) ON DIFFERENT SOIL SAMPLES

SAHAR KHALID AND M. NAEEM AKHTAR

Abstract: The changes in soil mycoflora in response to sequentially applied pesticides (Systoate, Afugan, K-othrine) were studied at specific time intervals of soil incubation (3, 7, 14 and 21 days). Different concentrations of each pesticide were used. In sequential application of three pesticides inhibition of fungal population was observed. Systoate at lower concentration cause an increase in mycoflora but higher concentration of Systoate show inhibitory effect. Most significant decrease in fungal population was observed at 3^rd, 7^th and 14^th day while at 21^st day an increase was observed showing that negative effect subsided after two weeks. Similar is the case when K-othrine was applied but when Afugan was applied decrease in fungal colonies were observed at 3^rd and 7^th day but at 14^th day of incubation severe decrease was observed but at 21^st day of incubation again increase in mycoflora occurred. The effect of pesticide on soil mycoflora was almost similar on three soil samples collected from different fields.

From these soil samples twelve fungal species were isolated and morphologically characterized. Among these fungal species six belonged to Aspergillus, two to Mucor, two to Penicillium, one belonged to Rhizopus and one to Helminthosporium. Out of this Aspergillus was found to be more dominant and was relatively most frequent throughout incubation period.

Government College University, Department of Botany, Lahore, Pakistan