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ABSTRACT
Modern agriculture and industries are dependent on a variety of synthetic chemical compounds, including pesticides. Their extensive exploitation has resulted in the contamination of natural environment. This study investigates the effects of the combination these two chemicals, Haloxyfop-R-methyl ester + Dichlorvos, on nitrifying bacteria populations, specifically Nitrosomonas sp and Nitrobacter sp, within soil samples. Random collection of soil samples was collected from the University of Benin farmland sprayed with the appropriate dosage of the combined chemicals. The soil samples were obtained from four points. This research spanned a 28-day period, with sampling conducted at day 0, day 14, and day 28. Isolation of Nitrosomonas sp and Nitrobacter sp using Winogradsky medium 1 and 2 involved culturing diluted soil samples in Winogradsky 1 and 2 media. The study results showed a Nitrosomonas count of 3×103 ± 424.26 and Nitrobacter count of 8.6×103 ± 2262.74. The study showed a gradual reduction in Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter counts compared to the actual control group. These findings suggest a suppressive effects of the combination of both chemicals on Nitrifying bacteria. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding the long-term impacts of chemical on essential soil bacteria, as they play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning. The initial increase in Nitrosomonas counts on day 0 may be attributed to an adaptative response, but sustained exposure to the contaminants appears to diminish this response, resulting in reduced Nitrosomonas populations in contaminated soil. This research contributed valuable insights into the ecological consequences of utilizing the combination of chemicals in nitrifying bacteria populations, thereby offering essential information for informed environmental management practices.
