Biochemical impacts of triazole fungicides on tomato roots and soil enzyme activities

As a part of commercial fungicides, tebuconazole and penconazole protect crops but may negatively influence non-target organisms. The triazole effect was analyzed after foliar and soil applications on <i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> L. root and soil biochemistry by assessing stress markers and enzyme activities in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles. Triazoles particularly persisted in soils with recovery of 86 ± 3% of penconazole and 80 ± 1% of tebuconazole after 35 days. Soil application of triazoles significantly increased (by 51%) total phenolics in roots. Tebuconazole more influenced non-target sites, as shown by a significant increase in the heat shock protein 70 content in roots and by decreasing soil cellulase and chitinase activities (by 45% and 34%). Both triazoles increased the activity of peroxidases in soils, possibly as a way of detoxification. The results highlight the biochemical ramifications of triazole on non-target sites. Future research should follow the effects of triazoles on microbiota that are essential for soil health.