Pesticide persistence and strategies for the microbial bioremediation of contaminated soil

Abstract

Owing to the widespread use of pesticides all over the world and the lack of effective remediation technologies, the persistence of pesticides in the soil has emerged as a serious environmental issue. Although pesticides have a great impact on increasing yield and benefitting cultivators economically, the indiscriminate application of pesticides in croplands has become a threat to the well-being of the natural ecosystems. Pesticides represent one of the most toxic soil pollutants and represent a significant risk to human wellness as well as the natural ecology. The bioremediation process, which utilizes bacteria, fungi, algae, and other organisms, has proved to be one of the most cost-effective and environmentally beneficial solutions to this growing problem. A number of approaches employing bioremediation technologies have successfully been implemented in the field. However, more adaptable, cost effective and easily implementable approaches need to be developed that can deliver the intended outcome. This review elucidates the present status of pesticide contamination and highlights the predominant role played by microbes in pesticide remediation, along with the advances made in recent years.