Effect of some fungicides on the numbers of ammonificators and soil proteolytic activity in apple rootstock nursery

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effect of some fungicides (Captan and Mancozeb), on the number of ammonificators and soil proteolytic activity in the apple rootstock nursery. Ecological requirements, as well as biological ones, productive and economical application of fungicides have been the reasons for our studies. The experiment was set up on alluvium soil by randomized block design in three replications with two vegetative apple rootstocks, M9 and MM106, grafted with cv Idared. The number of ammonificators and soil proteolytic activity were determined by standard microbiological and biochemical methods. It is noteworthy that the effect of fungicides on the parameters, simultaneously tested for proteolytic activity, depended upon both the time of observation and the apple rootstock. Captan resulted in increased ammonificator numbers, but it caused decline in proteolytic activity, in particular in the rhizosphere zone of the MM106 rootstock. Mancozeb had opposite effects on soil parameters.