Microbiome as Sensitive Markers for Risk Assessment of Pesticides

Soil microbiome plays a primary role in soil ecosystem functioning by being involved in necessary biochemical processes. Any changes to soil microbiome lead to differences in physiochemical properties of soil such as salinity, pH, and organic content, which eventually leads to soil infertility. Indiscriminate use of pesticides to meet global food requirements has taken a toll over soil microbiome, and thereby soil fertility. Pesticides and their metabolites accumulate in the soil over the generations of farming, and bestow several non-target effects on soil microbial communities. Soil microbial communities are considered to be sensitive bio-indicators of soil pollution as they are the early signals for long-term physiological and physiochemical changes in soil. In this chapter, we have discussed soil microbiome as sensitive markers for soil health, upon amendment with pesticides. A comprehensive picture of how repeated and excessive use of both biological and chemical pesticides cause fluctuations in the potential microbiological and ecological functioning has been presented based on available literature.