Dissipation of chlorantraniliprole in contrasting soils and its effect on soil microbes and enzymes.

An experiment was set up to determine the rate of dissipation of chlorantraniliprole (CTP) from two soils with contrasting properties. The other objective of the study was to find out the effect of CTP on soil microorganisms (population, microbial biomass carbon and soil enzymes) under controlled environment. CTP residues when applied at recommended dose ((RD) (at 40 g a.i./ha)) could not be recovered either from alluvial soil or red soil at 60 days post application of CTP in a microcosm study. Higher clay content led to higher half-life in alluvial soil compared to red soil. CTP could not be recovered from RD treatment at 30 days after pesticide application under controlled environment. Faster dissipation of CTP was observed in rice rhizosphere soil with 23.89 and 34.65 days dissipation half-lives for RD and double the recommended dose (DRD) treatments, respectively. Different doses of chlorantraniliprole did not have considerable negative effect on actinomycetes, fungi, biological nitrogen fixers and phospahte solubilising bacteria except the bacteria population. Among the treatments, DRD recorded the lowest activity of dehyrodeganse, fluoresein diacetate hydrolase, acid and alkaline phosphatases followed by RD treatment. Microbial biomass carbon, β -glycosidase and urease did not vary significantly among the different doses of CTP. In general, RD did not have negative effcts on soil microbes. Hence, CTP can be recommeded in rice pest managment maintaining existing soil microbes and soil enzymes activity.