COMPARISON OF MICROBIAL POPULATION IN PESTICIDE AND VERMICOMPOST TREATED SOIL

The application of organic amendments to agricultural soil enhances organic matter, supplies essential nutrients, improves soil structure, boosts water retention, and stimulates microbial activity. This research investigates the reconstruction of soil microbiomes in pesticide-contaminated soils, focusing on sustainable agriculture and environmental health. By evaluating the effects of pesticides on soil microbiomes over time, the study employs in vitro enrichments to explore the complex interactions between agriculture, the environment, and microbiology. We analyzed how pesticide, and organic amendments influenced soil microbial communities. Monthly soil samples were collected from treated pots, including pesticide treatments (Mancozeb), organic (cow manure and vermicompost) and control (no amendments). Our findings reveal that both pesticide and amendment treatments significantly altered soil microbial communities. Additionally, soils treated with pesticides and organics, showed the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with the absolute abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) varying across treatments. Pesticide-treated soils showed the highest ARB levels, particularly ampicillin-resistant bacteria, which accounted for 80% of the population, compared to soils amended with organic treatments. These results provide critical insights into the management of organic amendments in farming systems and the relationships between soil microbial communities and soil function. This study contributes to enhancing agricultural sustainability by reconstructing soil microbiomes affected by pesticide use.