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Journals / Natural and Applied Sciences Journal / 2026 / Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1

Effects of Paraquat and Atrazine on Soil Microbial Activities and Soil Mineral Content

Adewole Sebiomo(Tai Solarin University of Education Ijagun ijebu ode Nigeria)0000-0002-3930-0022
Pages
48–62
Publication Date
2026-06-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Treatment of soils with atrazine and paraquat resulted in significant (P≤0.05) reductions in the pH, acidity (H+), Na, K, Ca and Mg values of the soil samples This study has shown that continual application of herbicides to soils caused significant changes in soil microbial activity.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Application of herbicides to remove weeds is now the most common method in mechanized agriculture.
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Key Findings & Data:As the concentration of paraquat herbicide applied to the soils increased from 4 ml to 12 ml the Pseudomonas spp became more dominant.
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Conclusion & Impact:Treatment of soils with atrazine and paraquat resulted in significant (P≤0.05) reductions in the pH, acidity (H+), Na, K, Ca and Mg values of the soil samples This study has shown that continual application of herbicides to soils caused significant changes in soil microbial activity.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Paraquat · Atrazine · Viable counts

Abstract

Application of herbicides to remove weeds is now the most common method in mechanized agriculture. This study tested the consequences of using herbicides to kill weeds. Viable counts of bacteria and fungi were determined. Microbial activities such as microbial respiration, microbial biomass carbon, dehydrogenase activity, acid phosphatase activity and organic matter were also analyzed. Physicochemical components of the soil were also analyzed. As the concentration of paraquat herbicide applied to the soils increased from 4 ml to 12 ml the Pseudomonas spp became more dominant. Aspergillus spp were more dominant among the fungal species showing their ability to multiply and utilize paraquat as nutrient source. As the concentrations of paraquat and atrazine increased the microbial activity values reduced. Treatment of soils with atrazine and paraquat resulted in significant (P≤0.05) reductions in the pH, acidity (H+), Na, K, Ca and Mg values of the soil samples This study has shown that continual application of herbicides to soils caused significant changes in soil microbial activity.

Özet

Aplication of herbicides to remove weeds is now the most common method in mechanized agriculture. This study tested the consequences of using herbicides to kill weeds. Viable counts of bacteria and fungi were determined. Microbial activities such as microbial respiration, microbial biomass carbon, dehydrogenase activity, acid phosphatase activity and organic matter were also analyzed. Physicochemical components of the soil were also analyzed. As the concentration of paraquat herbicide applied to the soils increased from 4 ml to 12 ml the Pseudomonas spp became more dominant. Aspergillus spp were more dominant among the fungal species showing their ability to multiply and utilize paraquat as nutrient source. As the concentrations of paraquat and atrazine increased the microbial activity values reduced. Treatment of soils with atrazine and paraquat resulted in significant (P≤0.05) reductions in the pH, acidity (H+), Na, K, Ca and Mg values of the soil samples This study has shown that continual application of herbicides to soils caused significant changes in soil microbial activity.

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Cite This Article

Sebiomo, A. (2026). Effects of Paraquat and Atrazine on Soil Microbial Activities and Soil Mineral Content. Natural and Applied Sciences Journal, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1, 48–62. https://doi.org/10.38061/idunas.1936474

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