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Comparative study of soil bacterial flora as influenced by the application of a pesticide, pentachlorophenol (PCP)

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Summary

The effects of pentachlorophenol (PCP) applications on the taxonomic composition of bacterial microflora were studied in water-logged soil (WS) and in shake cultures of suspended soil (SS). PCP applications resulted in a predominancy of Gram-negative bacteria over Gram-positive species. Members of theAcinetobacter group were the most common in PCP-treated soil although a small portion of the flora were in thePseudomonas-Alcaligenes group or belonged to theEnterobacteriaceae. Coryneform bacteria and species of theBacillus were the dominant forms in untreated WS; however, WS cultures treated with PCP at recommended rates (2.67 gm/m2) evidenced species ofPseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Acinetobacter, and members of theEnterobacteriaceae as the predominant bacterial species. The dominance of Gram-negative bacteria in PCP-treated soil was evidenced for 3 months after application of the compound but was not evident after 17 months when PCP had dissipated. Gram-negative bacteria found in PCP-treated soil were highly tolerant of the phenol. In WS cultures coryneform bacteria were the most common although PCP tolerance was heterogenous in nature.

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Sato, K., Kato, H. & Furusaka, C. Comparative study of soil bacterial flora as influenced by the application of a pesticide, pentachlorophenol (PCP). Plant Soil 100, 333–343 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02370949

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