Degradation of Fungicides in Soil

1. Mansi Rastogi
   Department of Environment Science Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
   Corresponding Author: rastogimansi86@gmail.com
2. Naveen Gaurav
   Department of Biotechnology, Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Dehradun, India
3. Rashmi Verma
   Department of Biotechnology, Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Dehradun, India
4. Amit Anthwal
   School of Applied and Life Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Despite the increasing competency and legislation, for restricted use of fungicides in agricultural purposes (with decreasing applied amounts), it is substantially contaminating the environment. To mollify agricultural and environmental concerns, fate of these fungicides in soil is yet to be understood in a better way. Continuous fungicide application, directly or by foliage wash-off increases the soil percolation rate and a preponderant role of soil as a buffering agent is seen. The main fate processes (bio-physio-chemical) for fungicide are volatilization and retention that could lead to a temporary or permanent cumulation of fungicides in these soils. The soil gets heavily contaminated, posing a threat to soil target non-target microbes and thus increases the soil burden, interfering with nutrient cycling and ultimately entering the food chain. Fungicides are highly diverse in their chemical structures and reactivity; extremely affected by the pedoclimatic conditions (soil temperature and water content) that further influences retention and degradation of pesticides in soils. Therefore, widespread use and release of these toxic fungicide fractions cause reduction in soil fertility and environmental damage, making it a global issue. To combat this issue, sustainable agriculture with special attention to specific arenas (environment protection and conservation of resources) is often considered for remediation of contaminated soils, aquatic bodies and the environment. Soil fungicides act by killing pathogens, and their recolonization in soil results in an infected soil. A soil fumigant operates based on the concentration of the fungicide multiplied by the time period during which it is sprayed. Fungicidal method of action is based on the suppression of harmful fungal strains by altering their reproduction and proliferation. This chapter explores the effect and degradation route of fungicides in order to understand about the chemistry and illnesses produced by them in the soil.

Keywords: Fungicides, TMTD, Ring hydroxylation, Epoxidation, Thiocarbamate, Carbendazim, Environment damage, contamination