Microbial Action on Degradation of Pesticides

Abstract

The ultimate end fate of chemical pesticide degradations in the environment depends on microbial activity. The degradation of any biomaterial depends on the decomposers for their necessary recycling. So, in the same way, pesticide degradation is one of the major tasks to prevent their accumulation in the food chain known as bioaccumulation or may be somewhat disastrous known as biomagnification at each trophic level of the ecosystem. The extensive implication of pesticides globally causes a serious imbalance in the soil, air, and finally the potable water. Pesticide degradation does not only safe as after degradation the resultant products are more harmful and noxious. Instead, it forms a new chemical product that may be more or less toxic than the original chemical compound. Generally, they are broken into resultant smaller and smaller pieces until only the formation of carbon dioxide, water, and minerals is left. Microbes often play a large role in this process of harmful product formation. Some of the pesticides also cause restriction in the growth of algae via the release of various biochemicals that are important for the growth of algae known as an algal bloom. Worldwide, a large fraction of pests causes loss, damage to crops, and subsequently productivity. Pesticides have been used extensively from ancient times, but due to increased application up to date, their release by a various chemical processes in the environment causes serious ecological problems. Use of pesticides in an unregulated way causes adverse effect to humans, animals, and non-targeted plants. The non-biodegradable and recalcitrant pesticides persist in the environment and cause serious health hazards. Despite of their restriction and ban by the government, their continuous use is ever increasing. So, it is mandatory to restrict their use to reduce risk related to the environment as well as to humans and animals. It means the indiscriminate application of pesticides causes an adverse effect on different life forms.