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ABSTRACT
The study was carried out at the Green house experimental site of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria to determine the effects of Herbicides on plant Growth promoting microbes (bacteria and fungi) in soils (ultisols) with low nutrient status. Soil samples were obtained at a depth of 0-15cm from the Field, the sampled soil were air dried to remove debris, and 15kg of soils was filled into the perforated experimental pots which entails Four Treatments (Application rate) that were replicated three times to give a total number of 12 potted soils used for the experiments. The potted soils were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD). The herbicide used was 2,4- Di- chlorophenoaxoctic acid which was a selective herbicide. Microbial analysis was carried out to determine the actions of the herbicides on microbes in the soil. Result showed that the pH values of soil was slightly acidic (5.00) with low amount of organic matter (<20g/kg) due to continuous cultivation of the soil. The population of bacteria (4.89 log CFU/g soil) was found to be significantly influenced by the herbicides. Herbicides application significantly decreased the initial population of total heterotrophic bacteria (4.89 log CFU/g soil) compared to the 3.83 log CFU/g soil recorded after 8 weeks of experiment. Bacillus Pumilus (6.78) recorded the highest phosphorous solubilization, indoetic acetic acid production capacity while Aspergillus niger recorded the highest value (2.67, 4.00, 6.03) across all fungi Strain serving as biostimulants to soil.
