Abstract
The soil sample was collected from the paddy field of Sriperumbudur, Tamilnadu which is having a history of repeated pesticide applications. The isolation of efficient pesticide degrading bacteria was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The growth of the three pesticide degrading isolates was assessed in Minimal salt broth containing 25 ppm of pesticides. Two popularly used pesticides Metribuzin and Profenofos were selected for this study. Among the three bacterial isolates, the bacteria Bacillus subtilis utilized the pesticides effectively and showed maximum growth. The growth of the three pesticides degrading isolates Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis was assessed in Minimal salt broth containing 25 ppm of pesticides at different temperature levels (25 degrees C, 30 degrees C, 35 degrees C, 40 degrees C, 45 degrees C, 50 degrees C & 55 degrees C) and pH levels ( pH 4, pH 5, pH 6, pH 7 & pH 8) and carbon sources (Lactose, Dextrose, Fructose, Mannose & Galactose) and nitrogen sources Peptone, Yeast extract, Beef extract, Malt extract and Casein respectively. The maximum growth rate of bacteria was recorded at 35 degrees C and pH 6. The maximum growth of bacteria was in the presence of Dextrose followed by Fructose, Galactose and Mannose. The least growth was recorded in Lactose broth culture. The maximum growth of bacteria was in the presence of Malt extract followed by Peptone, Yeast extract and Casein. The least growth was recorded in Beef extract broth culture. The bacterial isolates showed maximum growth in the Minimal salt broth containing Profenofos followed by Metribuzin.