Effect of Aldicarb on a Non-Target Soil Microorganism

Abstract

The effect of aldicarb, a systemic, soil applied pesticide, on the growth, carbon and phosphate metabolism of the soil-dwelling tomato will pathogen, Posudomonas solanacearum Smith, was studied. The in vitro growth of the organism was significantly affected at 5 and 10 ppm concentrations of the chemical while at I ppm the insecticide did not have much effect on the growth. In presence of C-glucose in the medium, the insecticide treated cells incorporated more of C activity although the cell yields were less than the untreated cells, More Clable was found to have been assimilated in the cold- TCA soluble fraction while the C incorporation was less in the insoluble protein fraction of the aldicarb treated cells. However, the incorporation of C-sodium acetate by these cells was enhanced in the lipid fraction with a reduction in Clable in alcohol soluble, hot-TCA soluble and insoluble fractions. The enhancement in the incorporation of p-labelled disodium hydrogen phosphate by the aldicarb treated cells indicated that the oxidative phosphorylation or electron transport chain of the bacterium was not affected.