Effect of Three Pesticides on Nitrogen Content of Some Soil Fungi

Nitrogen fractions such as amino-N, peptide-N, ammonia-N, total soluble-N, protein-N as well as total-N of six fungal species exposed to three pesticides were measured. The fungicide Afugan (Pyrazofos) induced a significant increase in the total-N of Trichoderma harzianum and Fusarium solani whereas a significant decrease was observed with Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum. Certain doses of the herbicide Brominal (Bromoxynil) caused a significant decrease in the total-N of A. niger, F. solani, T. harzianum and Mucor racemosus. Total-N of Stachybotrys chartarum showed a significant increase in response to Brominal. The insecticide Selecron (Profenfos) caused a significant reduction in the total-N of p. chrysogenum. Other nitrogen fractions showed different responses depending on the type and dose of the pesticide as well as on the fungal species itself.