Studies on effects of benomyl (Benzimidazole) on non-target microflora of a tomato cropped soil

Abstract

The effect of benomyl on the microflora of a tomato cropped soil was investigated. Benomyl applied as soil  treatments in micro pots at 25 ppm. 50ppm. 75ppm. I00ppm and l 25ppm levels lowered fungal counts while there  was a corresponding increase in total bacterial count with increasing benomyl concentration. Studies were also  conducted to observe the etlect of varying concentrations of benomyl on the population of Pseudomonas species in  tomato soil. Pseudomonas counts decreased with increasing concentration of benomyl both in culture and soil treatments. lt was concluded that the use of benomyl in cuitivation of tomato may not predispose the crop to  Pseudomonad infections.

Keywords: Benomyl, non-target microflora, tomato soil.