The influences of microorganism, soil moisture and cadmium (Cd) on degradation of carbendazim in paddy soil were investigated with laboratory microcosm experiments. The results showed that the half-life of carbendazim (5.0 mg x kg(-1) and 10.0 mg x kg(-1)) in sterilized soils was 12.6-13.8 times of those in non-sterilized soils. The half-life of carbendazim was decreased by 32.1%-37.1% when the soils were inoculated with carbendazim-degrading strains. When the soil moisture was increased from 40% to 60% or 80% of water holding capacity, the half life of carbendazim was decreased by 46.2% or 74.0%, respectively. Low level of Cd (5 mg x kg(-1)) enhanced the degradation of carbendazim in soils with half-life time decreased by 32.1%-52.4%, but high level of Cd (50 mg x kg(-1)) inhibited the degradation of carbendazim in soils with half-life time increased by 92.6%-103.0%. For the soils inoculated with carbendazim-degrading strains, the half life of carbendazim was decreased by 34.0% -34.4% with the addition of low level of Cd (5.0 mg x kg(-1)), while the half life time was increased by 74.4% -109.4% with the addition of high level of Cd (50 mg x kg(-1)). The results demonstrate that indigenous microorganisms is a critical factor that influences carbendazim degradation in soils, and that carbendazim-degrading strains, high soil moisture and low Cd level enhance the degradation of carbendazim.
Bacteria Benzimidazoles