Question

Which is the microbe that destroys chemical pesticides in soil?

Answer 1

Hint: Degradation of pesticides provides a source of energy to the microorganisms.

Complete answer:
1. Pesticides are substances used to prevent crops and destroy and mitigate the insects or pathogens.
2. They can be insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
3. Excessive use of these chemical pesticides causes microbial imbalance, environmental pollution, and health hazards.
4. Therefore, the degradation of chemical pesticides is essential.
5. ‘Biodegradation' refers to the breakdown of pesticides into smaller harmless forms by a living organism in soil, water, or air.
6. Biodegradation of chemical pesticides in the soil is carried out especially by worms, fungi, and bacteria as they use it as a food source.
7. Bacteria responsible for biodegradation are Flavobacterium, Azotobacter species, Pseudomonas, Acetobacter, Burkholderia, etc.
8. Some fungi like Aspergillus niger, penicillium, oxysporum, etc. can also degrade and detoxify pesticides.

The processes involved in biodegradation are :
Detoxification- Conversion of toxic components into compatible and less toxic forms.
Degradation- Breakdown of the complex substrate into simpler products.
Conjugation- Binding pesticides with metabolites like amino acid, sugar, or another molecule to make it less toxic.
Leaching: Removal of soluble toxins.

Note: If the process of biodegradation is not efficient then the incomplete breakdown of organic toxins may lead to the formation of more toxic byproducts.