Effects of pesticides, lime and other amendments on soil ethylene

Abstract

The influence of a range of pesticides, lime and organic amendments on the level of soil ethylene was determined. Ethylene is important in soils because it can influence the growth of both plants and micro-organisms and thus influence soil fertility. The pesticides used, with the exception of fungicides, had a negligible influence on ethylene production. Fungicide treatment however, led to increased ethylene production. Similar, though more marked increases followed liming, and the addition of chitin, cellulose, urea and barley straw to soil. The results suggest that the action of fungicide in soils is due in part to the secondary production of ethylene following treatment. In the same way increased ethylene production following the addition of lime and organic amendments is likely to influence the activities of both saprophytic and plant pathogenic micro-organisms in the soil. re]19760726