Pesticides In Soil Research Articles

Deciphering the key factors affecting pesticide residue risk in vegetable ecosystem

Soil contamination, particularly from pesticide residues, presents a significant challenge to the sustainable development of agricultural ecosystems. Identifying the key factors influencing soil pesticide residue risk and implementing effective measures to mitigate their risks at the source are essential. Here, we collected soil samples and conducted a comprehensive survey among local farmers in the Three Gorges Reserve Area, a major agricultural production region in Southwest China. Subsequently, employing a dual analytical approach combining structural equation modeling (SEM) and random forest modeling (RFM), we examined the effects of various factors on pesticide residue accumulation in vegetable ecosystems. Our SEM analysis revealed that soil characteristics (path coefficient 0.85) and cultivation factor (path coefficient 0.84) had the most significant effect on pesticide residue risk, while the farmer factors indirectly influenced pesticide residues by impacting both cultivation factors and soil characteristics. Further exploration using RFM identified the three most influential factors contributing to pesticide residue risk as cation exchange capacity (CEC) (account for 18.84%), cultivation area (account for 14.12%), and clay content (account for 13.01%). Based on these findings, we carried out experimental trials utilizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technology, resulting in a significant reduction in soil pesticide residues and notable improvements in crop yields. Therefore, it is recommended that governmental efforts should prioritize enhanced training for vegetable farmers, promotion of eco-friendly plant protection methods, and regulation of agricultural environments to ensure sustainable development.

Sorption and mobility assessment of tembotrione in soils of upper, trans and middle Gangetic plain zones of India.

The presence of undesired agrochemicals residues in soil and water poses risks to both human health and the environment. The behavior of pesticides in soil depends both on the physico-chemical properties of pesticides and soil type. This study examined the adsorption-desorption and leaching behavior of the maize herbicide tembotrione in soils of the upper (UGPZ), trans (TGPZ) and middle Gangetic plain zones of India. Soil samples were extracted using acetone followed by partitioning with dichloromethane, whereas liquid-liquid extraction using dichloromethane was used for aqueous samples. Residues of tembotrione and its metabolite TCMBA, {2-chloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)-3-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy) methyl] benzoic acid}, were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The data revealed that tembotrione adsorption decreased with increasing pH and dissolved organic matter but increased with salinity. The maximum adsorption occurred at pH4, 0.01m sodium citrate and 4g/L NaCl, with corresponding Freundlich constants of 1.83, 2.28 and 3.32, respectively. The hysteresis index <1 indicated faster adsorption than desorption. Leaching studies under different flow conditions revealed least mobility in UGPZ soil and high mobility in TGPZ soil, consistent with groundwater ubiquity scores of 4.27 and 4.81, respectively. Soil amendments decreased tembotrione mobility in the order: unamended > wheat straw ash > wheat straw > farm yard manure > compost. The transformation of tembotrione to TCMBA and its mobility in soil columns were also assessed.

Concomitant determination of pesticides in soil and drainage water over a potato cropping season reveal dissipations largely in accordance with respective models

Pesticides are widely used in agriculture where they do not only reach their targets but also distribute to other environmental compartments and negatively affect non-target organisms. To prospectively assess their environmental risk, several tools and models using pesticide persistence (DT50) and leaching potential (groundwater ubiquity score (GUS), EXPOSIT) have been developed. Here, we simultaneously quantified 18 pesticides in soil and drainage water during a conventionally grown potato culture at field scale with high temporal resolution and compared our findings with predictions of the above models. Overall dissipations of all freshly applied compounds in soil were in line with published DT50 field values and their occurrences in drainage water were generally consistent with GUS and EXPOSIT models, respectively. In contrast, soil concentrations of the legacy pesticide atrazine and one of its transformation products (atrazine-2-hydroxy) were constant during the entire sampling campaign. Moreover, during peak discharge atrazine concentrations in drainage water were diluted whereas those of freshly applied pesticides were maximal. This difference demonstrates that the applied risk assessment tools were capable of predicting environmental concentrations and dissipation of pesticides at the short and medium time scale of a few half-lives after application, but fell short of capturing long-term trace residues.

Development and characterization of microchip electrophoresis pulsed amperometric detector-based soil pesticide analyser

The present study involved the fabrication and testing of a Microchip electrophoresis (MCE) device for pulse amperometry based detection of pesticides from their mixture. We were able to separate and then quantify three distinct types of insecticides, namely Chlorpyrifos, Imidacloprid, and Fipronil using on chip MCE followed by pulsed amperometric detection. All these results were obtained with an inhouse developed potentiostat cum controller unit with a detection time of only 15 min, employing a minimal sample size of 2 μL without any preconcentration or extraction procedure. The limit of detection (LOD) was calculated as 42.69 μM, 62.61 μM, and 71.14 μM or 14.96, 16.0 and 31.09 ppm, respectively for Chlorpyrifos, Imidacloprid, and Fipronil and their respective migration times as 536 ± 6.3 s, 484 ± 1.7 s, and 604 ± 3.5 s (n = 14). The sensitivity of detection was determined as 0.03 nA/μM for Chlorpyrifos, 0.0265 nA/μM for Imidacloprid, and 0.035 nA/μM for Fipronil. In addition, the efficacy of the produced microchip was confirmed by analysing soil extract spiked with known pesticides concentrations while the recovery percentage, representing a ratio of calculated concentration to spiked concentration multiplied by hundred was found as 84.3% (±9.4%) (n = 9). Thus, integrating microchip technology with the developed analytical instruments presents significant promise for practical field applications and the analysis of diverse analytes by way of creating a library where the migration coefficient and peak detection current are needed for any analyte which can be made cationic or anionic using a suitable buffer.

Different effects of polyethylene microplastics on bioaccumulation of three fungicides in maize (Zea mays L.)

Despite the ubiquity of microplastics (MPs) and pesticides in agricultural soils, the effects of MPs on the behavior and bioavailability of pesticides in soil–plant systems remain largely unknown. This study comparatively investigated the adsorption and dissipation of three commonly used fungicides (metalaxyl, azoxystrobin and tebuconazole) in soil as well as their accumulation and distribution in maize Zea mays L. with and without the amendment of polyethylene MPs (PE-MPs). The results showed that the adsorption of the fungicides to both MPs and soil was strongly dependent on their octanol/water partition coefficients (logKow). The addition of 5% PE-MPs significantly increased the adsorption of the hydrophobic fungicides azoxystrobin and tebuconazole to soil due to their greater adsorption affinity to PE-MPs than to soil, while the effect was negligible in the case of the hydrophilic fungicide metalaxyl. The enhanced adsorption of azoxystrobin and tebuconazole to soil with the amendment of PE-MPs decreased their bioavailable fractions in soil, especially the concentration in in situ pore water, resulting in prolonged persistence in soil and reduced accumulation in maize plants. PE-MPs caused a greater reduction in the dissipation and bioaccumulation of tebuconazole than azoxystrobin, presumably because PE-MPs were more effective in promoting the adsorption of tebuconazole (with a higher logKow) in soil. Comparatively, PE-MPs had little effect on the dissipation and bioaccumulation of metalaxyl since its bioavailability was almost unaffected. Our work provides effective information for the risk assessment of co-contamination of MPs and pesticides.

A facile in-situ ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of terephthalic acid-layered double hydroxide/bacterial cellulose: Application for eco-friendly analysis of multi-residue pesticides in vineyard soils

A novel nanostructure biosorbent comprised of bacterial cellulose (BC) and a Cu-Cr layered double hydroxide (LDH) intercalated with terephthalic acid (TPA) was prepared using the in-situ coprecipitation method. The synthesized TPA/CuCr-LDH@BC sorbent was used in quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction of multiclass pesticides (nine insecticides, five acaricides, one herbicide, and one fungicide) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The extraction factors such as type and volume of eluent, sorbent dosage, adsorption and desorption times, sample pH, and salt were optimized. The sorbent was analyzed with field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and adsorption/desorption isotherms to check its chemical structure, crystallinity, and porosity. Matrix effect (15.3–19.6 %), linearity (20–2000 µg/L, r2 > 0.9982), limits of quantification (6–12 µg/L), and enrichment factor (42–65) were calculated. The efficiency and accuracy of the developed method were assessed with the analysis of five vineyard soil samples and the resulting recoveries were in the range of 60–130 % (RSD%=3.5–12.9). The green aspects of the procedure were evaluated by the Complex-GAPI, the AGREE, and the Analytical Eco-Scale tools. This study describes the first-time synthesis of TPA/CuCr-LDH@BC composite and its application as sorbent material for the microextraction of multi-residue pesticides in agricultural soils.

Pesticides in Soils using Satellite Imagery and their Possible Effects on Human Health in the City of Huamanga in the Year 2023

Pesticides in Soils using Satellite Imagery and their Possible Effects on Human Health in the City of Huamanga in the Year 2023

Innovative approaches: Exploring nano-biochar technology’s impact on soil properties, alachlor retention, and microbial populations

Pesticide contamination and soil degradation stand as critical challenges in the agricultural ecosystem. This study delves into the impact of nano-biochar (NBC) on soil properties, alachlor retention, and microbial populations, exploring concentrations of 1 %, 3 %, and 5 % w w−1 in both planted and unplanted alachlor-contaminated soil. A six-week black bean-pot experiment was conducted in planted soil. The NBC, distinguished by its substantial carbon content and remarkable surface area, pore volume, and diameter, resulted in significant enhancements in soil pH, moisture content (MC), and soil organic carbon (SOC). Over the 6-week period, NBC3% and NBC1 % consistently increased SOC content, while NBC5% displayed a declining trend after the 4th week. The application of NBC led to a remarkable acceleration in alachlor reduction, achieving efficiencies exceeding 77 % in unplanted soils and reaching an impressive 97.3 % in planted soils. The reduction dynamics, modeled by a first-order equation, revealed notably shorter half-lives of alachlor in NBC-treated soils compared to controls. Abundance in total plate count (TPC), phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) increased with NBC1 % and NBC3 %, although NBC5 % showed a decline after the 2nd week. The findings suggest that NBC1 % and NBC3 % offer optimal outcomes for desired soil improvements, enhanced microbial activity, and effective soil pesticide removal.

Quantitative screening of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides in water and soil using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides, historically or currently widely used in agriculture, are prevalent in the environment and pose significant risks to public health and ecosystems. This study aimed to develop a robust analytical method for quantifying these pesticides in soil and water. By optimizing solid-phase extraction (SPE) and Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) procedures, and utilizing comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOF-MS), we achieved sensitive detection levels of all organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides at 10 μg/kg for soil and 0.1 μg/kg for water samples. The mean recoveries were in the range of 74.2–118.3 % and 72.3–106.9 % at fortified concentration levels in soil and water, respectively. The method exhibited good linearity (R² ≥ 0.9874) and precision (relative standard deviations from 0.1 % to 29.9 %), providing a reliable approach for environmental monitoring and advancing the capabilities in pesticide residue analysis.

Organochlorine pesticide contamination of soils and dust from an urban environment in the Niger Delta of Nigeria

The concentrations, sources, and risk of twenty organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in soils and dusts from a typical urban setting in the Niger Delta of Nigeria were examined. The Σ20 OCP concentrations (ng g−1) varied from 4.49 to 150 with an average value of 32.6 for soil, 4.67 to 21.5 with an average of 11.7 for indoor dust, and 1.6 to 96.7 with an average value of 23.5 for outdoor dust. The Σ20 OCP concentrations in these media were in the order: soil > outdoor dust > indoor dust, which was in contrast with the order of the detection frequency, i.e., indoor dust (95 to 100 %) > soil (60 to 90 %) > outdoor dust (30 to 80 %). The concentrations of the different OCP classes in these media followed the order: aldrin + dieldrin + endrin and its isomers (Drins) > chlordanes > dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs) > hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs) > endosulfans for outdoor dust and soil, while that of the indoor dust followed the order: Drins > chlordanes > endosulfans > DDTs > HCHs. The cancer risk values for human exposure to OCPs in these sites exceeded 10−6 which indicates possible carcinogenic risks. The sources of OCPs in these media reflected both past use and recent inputs.

Occurrence and fate of current-use pesticides in Chinese forest soils

Pesticides play a crucial role in securing global food production to meet increasing demands. However, because of their pervasive use, they are now ubiquitous environmental pollutants that have adverse effects on both ecosystems and human health. In this study, the environmental occurrence and fate of 16 current-use pesticides (CUPs) were investigated in 93 forest soil samples obtained from 11 distinct mountains in China. The concentrations of the target pesticides ranged from 0.36 to 55 ng/g dry weight. Cypermethrin, dicofol, chlorpyrifos, chlorothalonil, and trifluralin were the most frequently detected CUPs. The CUP concentrations were generally higher in the O-horizon than in the A-horizon. Chlorpyrifos, chlorothalonil, and dicofol were detected in most deep layers in soil profiles from three mountains selected to represent distinct climate zones. No clear altitudinal trend in organic carbon-normalized concentrations of CUPs was observed in the O- or A-horizons within individual mountains. A negative correlation was noted between the CUP concentrations and the altitudes across all sampling sites. This indicated that proximity to emission sources was a key factor affecting the spatial distribution of CUPs in mountain forest soil on a national scale. The ecological risk assessment showed that dicofol and cypermethrin pose potential risks to earthworms. This study emphasizes the importance of source control when setting management strategies for CUPs.

Validation of a modified QuEChERS method for the quantification of residues of currently used pesticides in Cuban agricultural soils, using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

We present an analytical method to detect and quantify residues of currently used pesticides (CUPs), which include 31 active ingredients (ai) and seven transformation products (TPs) in tropical and agricultural soils of Cuba. Ten isotopically labeled analogous compounds served as internal standards (IL-IS). The novelty of this research is the inclusion of different tropical soils type scarcely studied for CUPs and TPs, based on the QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) method, followed by chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. All figures of merit proved to be satisfactory according to SANTE guidelines 2020 and 2021. Matrix effects (ME) calculated by the external standard method were significant (|ME| > 20% for almost all compounds; grand mean ± standard deviation (STD) 104 ± 108%) in all soils. The internal standard method compensated ME to non-significant levels (8 ± 50%), even for analytes with a non-structure identical IL-IS (STD, 13 ± 57%). Repeatability (relative standard deviation, RSDr) and reproducibility (RSDR) for skeletic regosol (SR) were 7.5 ± 2.8% and 11.7 ± 4.7%, respectively. Absolute (quantified for 11 analytes with structure identical IL-IS) and relative recovery from SR was 92 ± 13% (mean ± STD) and 90 ± 12%, respectively. Limits of quantification for SR ranged from 0.1 to 10 ng/g, except metalaxyl and oxyfluorfen (25 ng/g each). Linearity of matrix-matched (MM) calibration curves (5 to 100 ng/g) had an R2 of ≥ 0.99 for all soils and almost all analytes. The method was successfully applied to 30 real soil samples.

Multifunctional N, Fe dual active site hydrothermal biochar for efficiently degrading paclobutrazol and promoting crop growth

The development of a low-cost, highly catalytic, and soil fertility-improving biochar material is of significant importance for the sustained remediation of organic pollutants in the environment. In this study, multifunctional N, Fe dual active site biochar (NF-BC) was successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method using cotton straw, urea, and FeCl3 as raw materials. Compared to the original biochar, NF-BC exhibits high graphitic-N content and abundant Fe2+, enabling efficient activation of Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the removal of Paclobutrazol (PBZ) in water and soil. EPR and quenching experiments confirm that the free radical pathway (•OH) and the non-free radical pathway (1O2) act together in PBZ degradation. The DFT results illustrate the benzene and pyridine rings of PBZ are electron-rich regions, which can be attacked by reactive oxygen species. Then three possible degradation pathways are provided by combining them with the LC/MS test. After remediation by the NF-BC/PMS system, the soil fertility index and plant growth are significantly improved. Compared to CK, the pH value and SOM content of the soil remained unchanged after remediation with the NF-BC/PMS system, while the content of available K and hydrolyzed N increased by 27.18 and 2.27 times, respectively. The pot experiments showed that the NF-BC/PMS system not only alleviates the stress of PBZ on mung bean seedlings, but also promotes an increase in leaf area, accumulation of dry biomass, and root growth. This work provides a new idea for the preparation of low-cost and multifunctional biochar for the efficient removal of pesticides in soil and water environments.

Analysis of nationwide soil pesticide pollution: Insights from China

China is a typical agricultural country that heavily relies on pesticides. Some pesticides can remain in the soil after application and thus pose a significant threat to human health. In order to characterize the status and hazards of nationwide soil contamination, this study extracted concentration data from published literature and analyzed them by a scoring approach, standard comparison and health risk assessment. For the soil pollution score, northern regions got the highest values, such as Henan (0.63), Liaoning (0.55), Heilongjiang (0.54) and Jilin (0.53), which implies high soil pesticide residues in these provinces. In contrast, Qinghai (−0.77), Guizhou (−0.64) and Tibet (−0.63) had lower scores. China's soil pesticide standards cover only 16 pesticides, and these pesticide concentrations were all below the corresponding standards. Direct exposure to soil pesticides in this study generally posed a negligible risk to children. Furthermore, pesticide dissipation and usage intensity in each province were analyzed as they were possible influences on pollution. The result showed that soil in the northern regions could accumulate more pesticides than those in the southern regions, and this geographic pattern was basically consistent with the distribution of soil pollution. However, the relationship between agricultural activities and soil pollution was less well characterized. It is recommended to establish a long-term monitoring database for pesticides and include more pesticides in regulatory frameworks. Additionally, efforts to accelerate pesticide degradation and shift the planting structure to reduce pesticide usage can help alleviate the pressure on soil from pesticides. This study can serve as a critical reference for policymakers and stakeholders in the field of agriculture.

Evaluation of the ecological risk of pesticide residues from the European LUCAS Soil monitoring 2018 survey.

The 2018 LUCAS (Land Use and Coverage Area frame Survey) Soil Pesticides survey provides a European Union (EU)-scale assessment of 118 pesticide residues in more than 3473 soil sites. This study responds to the policy need to develop risk-based indicators for pesticides in the environment. Two mixture risk indicators are presented for soil based, respectively, on the lowest and the median of available No Observed Effect Concentration (NOECsoil,min and NOECsoil,50) from publicly available toxicity datasets. Two further indicators were developed based on the corresponding equilibrium concentration in the aqueous phase and aquatic toxicity data, which are available as species sensitivity distributions. Pesticides were quantified in 74.5% of the sites. The mixture risk indicator based on the NOECsoil,min exceeds 1 in 14% of the sites and 0.1 in 23%. The insecticides imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos and the fungicide epoxiconazole are the largest contributors to the overall risk. At each site, one or a few substances drive mixture risk. Modes of actions most likely associated with mixture effects include modulation of acetylcholine metabolism (neonicotinoids and organophosphate substances) and sterol biosynthesis inhibition (triazole fungicides). Several pesticides driving the risk have been phased out since 2018. Following LUCAS surveys will determine the effectiveness of substance-specific risk management and the overall progress toward risk reduction targets established by EU and UN policies. Newly generated data and knowledge will stimulate needed future research on pesticides, soil health, and biodiversity protection. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1639-1653. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Research on Soil Pesticide Residue Detection Using an Electronic Nose Based on Hybrid Models

At present, the electronic nose has became a new technology for the rapid detection of pesticides. However, the technique may misidentify them for samples that have not been involved in training. Therefore, a hybrid model based on unsupervised and supervised learning was proposed for the first time in this paper. The model divided the detection process of soil pesticide residues into two steps: (1) an unsupervised machine learning method was used to identify whether the soil was contaminated with pesticides; (2) when the soil was contaminated with pesticides, a supervised classifier was further used to predict the types of pesticides in the soil. The experimental results showed that the model had a recognition accuracy of 99.3% and 99.27% for whether the soil was contaminated with pesticides and the pesticide type of the contaminated soil, respectively, with a detection time of 0.03 s. The results revealed that the proposed hybrid model can quickly and comprehensively reflect the soil information’s status.

Towards sustainable agriculture: Balancing pesticides in soil for environmental harmony

Towards sustainable agriculture: Balancing pesticides in soil for environmental harmony

Phytomicrobiomes: A Potential Approach for Sustainable Pesticide Biodegradation

Globally, pest-induced crop losses ranging from 20% to 40% have spurred the extensive use of pesticides, presenting a double-edged sword that threatens not only human health but also our environment. Amidst various remediation techniques, bioremediation stands out as a compelling and eco-friendly solution. Recently, the phytomicrobiome has garnered increasing attention as endophytic microbes, colonizing plants from their roots, not only foster plant growth but also enhance the host plant’s resilience to adverse conditions. Given the persistent demand for high crop yields, agricultural soils often bear the burden of pesticide applications. Biodegradation, the transformation of complex pesticide compounds into simpler forms through the activation of microbial processes and plant-based enzymatic systems, emerges as a pivotal strategy for restoring soil health. Manipulating the phytomicrobiome may emerge as a viable solution for this purpose, offering a native metabolic pathway that catalyzes pollutant degradation through enzymatic reactions. This review delves into the pivotal role of phytomicrobiomes in the degradation of diverse pesticides in soil. It explores contemporary innovations and paves the way for discussions on future research directions in this promising field.

Effect of microplastics used in agronomic practices on agricultural soil properties and plant functions: Potential contribution to the circular economy of rural areas.

The extensive use of plastic materials and their improper disposal results in high amounts of plastic waste in the environment. Aging of plastics leads to their breakdown into smaller particles, such as microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics. This research investigates plastics used in agricultural practices as they contribute to MP pollution in agricultural soils. The distribution and characteristics of MPs in agricultural soils were evaluated. In addition, the effect of MPs on soil properties, the relationship between MPs and metals in soil, the effect of MPs on the fate of pesticides in agricultural soils and the influence of MPs on plant growth were analysed, discussing legume, cereal and vegetable crops. Finally, a brief description of the main methods of chemical analysis and identification of MPs is presented. This study will contribute to a better understanding of MPs in agricultural soils and their effect on the soil-plant system. The changes induced by MPs in soil parameters can lead to potential benefits as it is possible to increase the availability of micronutrients and reduce plant uptake of toxic elements. Furthermore, although plastic pollution remains an emerging threat to soil ecosystems, their presence may result in benefits to agricultural soils, highlighting the principles of the circular economy.

Bioremediation Studies on Pesticides in Soil by Novel Microorganisms Isolated from Agricultural Fields

Pesticides are organic compounds widely used in agriculture for increasing agricultural yield, soil productivity and to control the insect vectors for prevention of various plants, human and animal epidemics. Pesticides are widely distributed in our ecosystem. Organophosphates are found to be one of the most common group of pesticides found across the world. However, excessive and indiscriminate use of pesticides have generated a number of environmental problems such as release of toxic waste in the environment resulting to contamination of air, water and terrestrial ecosystem. In order to control the harmful effects of pesticides, multiple attempts have been made like the use of physical, chemical, biological and enzymatic approaches to reduce pesticides. However, physical and chemical methods have proven to be inefficient. One of the most promising field of biotechnology that offers a novel approach to degrade the pesticides is bioremediation. Bioremediation uses microorganisms, microbial or plants enzymes to detoxify contaminants in the soil and other environments. Three group of microorganisms i.e., bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi have been found to degrade the pesticides. Bacterial group involved in degradation includes Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Arthrobacter, Paracoccus, Aerobacter, Alcaligens, and Sphingomonas. Fungi having potential bioremediation capacities includes Fusarium, Aspergilus niger, Penicillium, Oxysporum. Streptomycetes have been found to degrade pesticides among the actinomycetes group. This review highlights various aspects of microbial degradation of pesticides including the types of pesticide degrading microbes and mechanism of degradation.