Soil Enzymatic Response to Nicosulfuron: A Preliminary Study in a Chernozem Typical to the Banat Plain, Western Romania

Marioara Nicoleta Caraba, Ion Valeriu Caraba (), Elena Pet, Ioan Pet, Luminita Crisan, Adrian Sinitean and Delia Hutanu
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Marioara Nicoleta Caraba: Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, E. Murgu, 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Ion Valeriu Caraba: ANAPATMOL Research Center, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, E. Murgu, 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Elena Pet: Faculty of Management and Rural Tourism, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului, 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Ioan Pet: Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului, 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Luminita Crisan: “Coriolan Dragulescu” Institute of Chemistry, Mihai Viteazu Blvd., 24, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
Adrian Sinitean: Department Biology-Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry-Biology-Geography, West University of Timisoara, Pestalozzi, 16, 300315 Timisoara, Romania
Delia Hutanu: Department Biology-Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry-Biology-Geography, West University of Timisoara, Pestalozzi, 16, 300315 Timisoara, Romania

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-19

Abstract: Nicosulfuron, despite being a post-emergence herbicide commonly used in corn crops to combat weeds, there is still little information on nicosulfuron toxicity for soil microbiota. Little information exists on the impact of nicosulfuron on the enzymatic activities of soil dehydrogenases (Deh), urease (Ure), catalase (Cat), and alkaline phosphatase (Alp). We used a multiple dose- and time point (7, 14, 21, and 28 days) study design to determine the effect of nicosulfuron on these parameters during the first 28 days post-application. The soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter content (OM), water content, ammonium-nitrogen (NH 4 -N), nitrate-nitrogen (NO 3 -N), and available phosphate were also monitored. Ure was the most responsive enzyme to nicosulfuron. This herbicide exerted a transitory dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effect on Deh activity; maximum inhibition occurred at 14 days at doses from the normal recommended dose onward. For Ure, the maximal inhibitory effect started at 7 days of exposure to half the normal recommended dose and continued for another 14 days. The effect on Cat occurred later, whereas Alp activity was affected by nicosulfuron between 7 and 21 days but only for triple the normal recommended dose. OM showed the most consistent relationships with these parameters, being strongly positively correlated with Deh, Cat, and Alp activities. These results indicate that nicosulfuron may alter the soil metabolic activity, thus affecting its fertility.

Keywords: nicosulfuron; dehydrogenases activity; urease activity; catalase activity; alkaline phosphatase activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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