A review on phorate persistence, toxicity and remediation by bacterial communities

Pesticides are an integral part in maintaining agriculture and horticultural productivity and play a vital role in meeting the increasing food, fiber, and fuel needs of the growing population. Globally, organophosphate pesticides(OPPs) are among the most common pesticides used due to their high proficiency and relatively low persistence in the environment. However, recent studies have reported problems due to pesticide use, e.g., phorate contamination of aquatic ecosystems(fresh and groundwater), sediments, fruits and vegetables, and forage crops. This review highlights many cases where phorate has been detected above its respective maximum residue limit values. Organophosphate pesticides, including phorate, have negative impacts on both the environment and human health. The ecological and public health concerns of recurrent pesticide utilization have encouraged the research related to environmental fate of pesticides.Bioremediation is an effective, eco-friendly, and financially viable approach for the decontamination and degradation of toxic OPPs from the environment,compared to the costly, unecological, and time-consuming physicochemical approaches, which lead to the generation of byproducts of higher toxicity.Researchers have recognized that a wide range of microbes, mainly bacteria, can degrade this extremely hazardous pesticide. Therefore, this review discusses the present pesticide scenarios, especially phorate contamination, its toxicity, biodegradation, and metabolic products via bacterial communities, both in India and globally. The latest and up-to-date literatures on the use, contamination, and bacterial application of phorate degradation are also summarized. This article offers national and international food safety organizations and public health authorities the ability to be involved in preventing the risks associated with the use of food and nutrition products contaminated with extremely toxic phorate pesticide. This article would also enable researchers to develop comprehensive and sustainable methods to effectively remediate pesticide-contaminated environments. In conclusion, it is envisaged that the successful application of bacterial communities for degradation of phorate would help in understanding the fate and persistence of such toxic pollutants in a better way.     

Occurrence,Degradation and Fate of Pesticides During Composting

This paper reviews the findings of research reported in the currently available literature regarding the occurrence and transformations of pesticides through the composting process and the use of compost. Part I summarizes the composting process, pesticides and mechanisms of pesticide degradation. Part II reviews research studies concerning the occurrence and fate of pesticides during composting. Investigations of pesticide residues in composting feedstocks and finished compost detected few of the target pesticides. The compounds that were found occurred at low concentrations. The majority of the compounds detected were insecticides in the organochlorine category, including chemicals that have been banned from use in the U.S. for many years. Generally, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides and most herbicides were rarely detected. Comparisons of pesticide concentrations before and after composting also showed organochlorine compounds to be most resistant to biodegradation during composting. With some exceptions, pesticides in other categories decomposed moderately well to very well. Studies that followed the mechanisms of degradation indicate that mineralization accounts for only a small portion of pesticide disappearance. Other prominent fates include partial degradation to secondary compounds, adsorption, humification, and volatilization. In general the research results suggest that the pattern of pesticide degradation during composting is similar to the degradation observed in soils. With a few important distinctions, composting can be considered a biologically active soil environment in which degradation is accelerated. However, as some studies noted, composting does not always speed the degradation of all pesticides. The nature of the pesticide, specific composting conditions and procedures, the microbial communities present, and the duration of composting affect the extent and the mechanisms of degradation.     

Literature Review: Occurrence,Degradation and Fate of Pesticides During Composting: Part II: Occurrence and Fate of Pesticides in Compost and Composting Systems

This paper reviews the findings of research reported in the currently available literature regarding the occurrence and transformations of pesticides through the composting process and the use of compost. Part I summarizes the composting process, pesticides and mechanisms of pesticide degradation. Part II reviews research studies concerning the occurrence and fate of pesticides during composting. Investigations of pesticide residues in composting feedstocks and finished compost detected few of the target pesticides. The compounds that were found occurred at low concentrations. The majority of the compounds detected were insecticides in the organochlorine category, including chemicals that have been banned from use in the U.S. for many years. Generally, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides and most herbicides were rarely detected. Comparisons of pesticide concentrations before and after composting also showed organochlorine compounds to be most resistant to biodegradation during composting. With some exceptions, pesticides in other categories decomposed moderately well to very well. Studies that followed the mechanisms of degradation indicate that mineralization accounts for only a small portion of pesticide disappearance. Other prominent fates include partial degradation to secondary compounds, adsorption, humification, and volatilization. In general the research results suggest that the pattern of pesticide degradation during composting is similar to the degradatiion observed in soils. With a few important distinctions, composting can be considered a biologically active soil environment in which degradation is accelerated. However, as some studies noted, composting does not always speed the degradation of all pesticides. The nature of the pesticide, specific composting conditions and procedures, the microbial communities present, and the duration of composting affect the extent and the mechanisms of degradation.     

两株蜡状芽孢杆菌对毒死蜱的降解动力学研究

利用微生物消除农药污染是一项安全、经济、有效的方法,降解动力学模型的构建有助于理解污染物的生物降解行为和估测系统中特征污染物的浓度变化,菌株对高浓度污染物的降解效果是降解菌在受污染水体中实际应用的关键。本研究采用基础培养基中定量添加毒死蜱和定时取样分析毒死蜱残留浓度的方法,探讨两株蜡状芽孢杆菌(HY-1和HY-2)的接种体培养时间、接种量和降解菌对毒死蜱的降解动力学,同时研究了降解菌对高浓度毒死蜱的降解率。结果表明:HY-1和HY-2最适接种体培养时间分别为10 h和19 h,接种体培养时间对菌株降解毒死蜱的影响较大。两菌株最适接菌量为8%(v/v),接种量从4%增至8%时,接种量对HY-1降解毒死蜱的影响大于HY-2。当毒死蜱的初始浓度为40 mg.L 1、80 mg.L 1、100 mg.L 1和120 mg.L 1时,一级动力学方程ln(C0/Ct)=kt可以用来拟合两菌株对毒死蜱的降解动力学及确定降解动力学参数,当毒死蜱初始浓度再次增加时,仅HY-2对毒死蜱的降解符合一级动力学方程。当毒死蜱初始浓度为40~120 mg.L 1时,菌株HY-1对毒死蜱的降解速率常数分布在0.013 5~0.015 7;当毒死蜱初始浓度为40~200 mg.L 1时,菌株HY-2的降解速率常数分布在0.008 0~0.015 3。菌株HY-2比HY-1可以在较高的毒死蜱浓度下发挥降解作用,且降解率较高。因此,两菌株在毒死蜱污染水体的净化去毒方面具有重要意义。     

Cross-enhancement of accelerated biodegradation of organophosphorus compounds in soils: Dependence on structural similarity of compounds

Rates of degradation of seven organophosphate nematicides and insecticides were examined in two soils known to show accelerated biodegradation of fenamiphos and one soil known to show accelerated biodegradation of chlorpyrifos. The results indicated that several organophosphate insecticides and one nematicide were susceptible to cross-enhanced degradation in the soil showing accelerated biodegradation of chlorpyrifos. No cross-enhancement was observed in the two soils showing accelerated degradation of fenamiphos. Fumigation resulted in the complete inhibition of pesticide degradation in all soils. The data suggested that the cross-enhancement of selected pesticides in chlorpyrifos-degrading soil was dependent on the structural similarity of the compounds. Mechanisms of degradation of pesticide in soil support this hypothesis, where structurally similar compounds (diazinon, parathion, coumaphos and isazofos) were hydrolysed by microbial activity in chlorpyrifos-degrading soil but the degradation products were accumulated. Enhanced degradation of chlorpyrifos and fenamiphos was found to be stable in the laboratory condition for a period of one year.     

Biodegradation of the Anionic Surfactant Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS) by Autochthonous Pseudomonas sp.

Anionic surfactants, the earliest and the most common surfactants in detergent and cosmetic product formulations contribute significantly to the pollution profile of the ecosystem. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), a major chemical constituent of detergents, forms an imperative group of anionic surfactants. Bioremediation of LAS by conventional processes such as activated sludge is ineffective due to the low kinetics of degradation by unsuitable organisms and foam production. Hence this study was focused on isolating and characterizing indigenous LAS-degrading bacteria from soil. Twenty different LAS-degrading bacteria were isolated from detergent-contaminated soil by enrichment culture technique and degradation efficiency was assessed by Methylene Blue Active Substances (MBAS) assay and by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The most efficient LAS-degrading isolates, L9 (81.33?±?0.7) and L12 (81.81?±?0.8), were selected and identified as Pseudomonas nitroreducens (MTCC 10463) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 10462). The 16S rDNA sequences of the isolates were deposited in NCBI GenBank under the accession numbers HQ 271083 (L9) and HQ 271084 (L12). The isolates were capable of degrading 0.05?g/l LAS at 25?°C and pH 7.0?C7.5. Presence of a solid support caused biofilm formation which in turn enhanced LAS degradation. The isolates tend to display diauxic growth with alternate carbon source such as dextrose. These isolates also have the capability to degrade other xenobiotics like hydrocarbons and pesticides. Since xenobiotic pollutants in nature occur as a mixture of compounds rather than single pollutants, the potential of these two indigenous LAS-degrading isolates to degrade multiple xenobiotics gains relevance.     

有机磷农药污染土壤的微生物降解研究进展

有机磷农药是目前我国使用量最大的农药之一,严重污染环境和生态系统,并通过食物链在生物体内富集,进而危害人类健康。微生物降解技术具有降解效率高、代谢途径多、无二次污染的优势,是目前清除环境中有机磷农药的主要手段,能有效降低有机磷农药的危害。目前有机磷农药的降解微生物主要是通过实验室纯培养方法获得,与自然生态环境中存在的降解功能性微生物信息差异较大,而利用不可培养方法识别功能性微生物的技术具有广阔的应用前景。本文从有机磷农药的使用情况及引发的环境问题出发,概述了有机磷农药在土壤中的迁移转化途径,稳定同位素探测技术和磁性纳米材料等不可培养方法对有机磷农药降解功能性微生物的识别,微生物降解有机磷农药污染土壤的功能基因、降解途径及降解机理;探讨了植物–微生物联合修复在有机磷农药污染土壤修复中的作用,并分析了环境因子及农药自身性质对有机磷农药降解的影响;最后,讨论了微生物降解技术存在的问题及今后研究方向。     

Supercritical fluid extraction of pesticides from a table-ready food composite of plant origin (gazpacho)

Supercritical fluid carbon dioxide extraction (SFE) has been evaluated for the extraction of 17 organohalogen and organophosphate pesticides in gazpacho (a table-ready food composite containing crude vegetables, white bread, vegetable oil, water, and other minor components) using anhydrous magnesium sulfate as drying agent. The effects of different parameters, such as fat content in gazpacho composites, magnesium sulfate/gazpacho ratio, supercritical fluid volume, pressure, temperature, and static modifier additions, on SFE recoveries from spiked gazpacho samples have been studied. Analyses were performed by gas chromatography (GC) with flame photometric (FPD), electron capture (ECD), and mass spectrometry (MSD) detectors. In most experiments, recoveries obtained for the nonpolar organohalogen pesticides were lower than those obtained for the most polar organophosphate pesticides, but overall pesticide recoveries determined by using the optimal SFE conditions indicate that SFE could be used to determine pesticide residue levels in gazpacho.     

拟除虫菊酯类农药光降解的研究进展

拟除虫菊酯类农药的广泛使用,引起的环境问题及农业生产与日常生活中的安全问题日益突出。本文综述了拟除虫菊酯类农药的光降解行为,包括自然光照降解、紫外光照降解、光催化降解、光照下的微生物降解及辐照降解;探讨了影响光降解的因素,如光照强度、p H、氧气、溶剂、金属离子、腐殖质,及与其他农药的交互作用等。最后,总结了拟除虫菊酯类农药的光降解机理。     

Volatile monoterpenes in soil atmosphere under birch and conifers: Effects on soil N transformations

The aim of this study was to examine the occurrence and concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in particular, volatile monoterpenes, in soil atmosphere under silver birch (Betula pendula L.) and two conifers, Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and to determine the effects of the most relevant monoterpenes on transformations of soil N. The study site was a 70-year-old tree species experiment in Kivalo, northern Finland. VOCs were collected using two methods, passive air samplers and a chamber method. In soil atmosphere under spruce and especially under pine, the concentrations of monoterpenes were high, α- and β-pinene, Δ-3-carene and myrcene being the most abundant compounds, whereas concentrations of monoterpenes in soil atmosphere under birch were negligible. Samples of humus layer from the birch stand incubated in vitro and exposed to vapors from monoterpenes typical of coniferous forest soil showed decreased rates of net N mineralization but simultaneously increased rates of C mineralization. The response of soil microbial biomass C and N to different monoterpenes varied, but some monoterpenes considerably decreased soil microbial biomass. Altogether these results suggest that these compounds have negative effects on soil N transformations, but may serve as carbon and energy source for part of soil microbes.     

Removal of Mixed Pesticides from Drinking Water System Using Surfactant-Assisted Nano-TiO2

The present study focused on the degradation of mixed pesticides using UV-induced photocatalytic degradation of lindane (1α,2α,3β,4α,5α,6β-hexachlorocyclohexane), methyl parathion (O,O-dimethyl-O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate), and dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorovinyl-O-O-dimethyl phosphate). Different grades of TiO₂ were prepared through the acid route (AR), alcohol route (AlR), and surfactant route (SR) and their photocatalytic activity were compared with commercially available Degussa P-25 TiO₂. The rate of degradation of pesticides was high for TiO₂ prepared through the SR compared to the other three catalysts. The crystalline structure and morphology of SR TiO₂ was identified with scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray analyzer, UV, and transmission electron microscope analyses and was compared with that of Degussa P-25 TiO₂. Degradation studies of individual as well as mixed pesticides were carried out. The intermediate formed during the photodegradation of methyl parathion, lindane, and dichlorvos were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis.     

Application of an Air Ionization Device Using an Atmospheric Pressure Corona Discharge Process for Water Purification

Pesticides presently being discharged into the aquatic environment are not only toxic but also only partially biodegradable, they are not easily removed by conventional water treatment plants. Air ionization devices using an atmospheric pressure corona discharge process show great promise in improving degradation of chemical and biological contaminants in water purification plants. In order to assess the effectiveness of this air ionization apparatus, laboratory scale degradation experiments were carried out systematically in a bubble column reactor containing a variety of pesticides such as triazines, carbamates, phenyl urea derivates and chlorophenols relative to the addition of humic acid and inorganic chemicals as well as to pH variation. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) decreased with air ionization treatment and the rate of the biological oxygen demand related to this (BOD/COD) showed improved pesticide biodegradability. Changes in water toxicity were monitored by Daphnia- and Luminescence Bacteria tests. This novel water treatment process is shown to be a potent oxidation technique for persistent organic pollutants such as pesticides.     

植物对污染土壤修复作用的研究进展

利用植物修复污染土壤是一种被人们认为安全可靠的方法.植物修复技术不仅能修复被石油污染的土壤,而且对更多品种污染的土壤修复有效,植物降解高分子有毒化合物的基础是根际环境及根际微生物,与无植物土壤不同.对根际区微生物降解和转化有机化合物的研究,更多的集中于植物对杀虫剂和除草剂的降解.事实证明,生物修复污染土壤是一项实用性和有效性很强的技术.     

Do plant species with different growth strategies vary in their ability to compete with soil microbes for chemical forms of nitrogen?

We used dual labelled stable isotope (¹³C and ¹⁵N) techniques to examine how grassland plant species with different growth strategies vary in their ability to compete with soil microbes for different chemical forms of nitrogen (N), both inorganic and organic. We also tested whether some plant species might avoid competition by preferentially using different chemical forms of N than microbes. This was tested in a pot experiment where monocultures of five co-existing grassland species, namely the grasses Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Nardus stricta, Deschampsia flexuosa and the herb Rumex acetosella, were grown in field soil from an acid semi-natural temperate grassland. Our data show that grassland plant species with different growth strategies are able to compete effectively with soil microbes for most N forms presented to them, including inorganic N and amino acids of varying complexity. Contrary to what has been found in strongly N limited ecosystems, we did not detect any differential uptake of N on the basis of chemical form, other than that shoot tissue of fast-growing plant species was more enriched in ¹⁵N from ammonium-nitrate and glycine, than from more complex amino acids. Shoot tissue of slow-growing species was equally enriched in ¹⁵N from all these N forms. However, all species tested, least preferred the most complex amino acid phenylalanine, which was preferentially used by soil microbes. We also found that while fast-growing plants took up more of the added N forms than slow-growing species, this variation was not related to differences in the ability of plants to compete with microbes for N forms, as hypothesised. On the contrary, we detected no difference in microbial biomass or microbial uptake of ¹⁵N between fast and slow-growing plant species, suggesting that plant traits that regulate nutrient capture, as opposed to plant species-specific interactions with soil microbes, are the main factor controlling variation in uptake of N by grassland plant species. Overall, our data provide insights into the interactions between plants and soil microbes that influence plant nitrogen use in grassland ecosystems.     

Biomimetic chemistry as a useful tool for studying reactive metabolites of pesticides

Most organophosphate (OP) pesticides require metabolic activation before attacking the target site, as opposed to chemical nerve agents, such as VX and sarin, which inhibit the enzyme directly. The majority of OP pesticides exhibit weak anticholinesterase activity in vitro compared to their In Vivo activity. Biooxidation is probably the principal route by which these pesticides are activated or detoxified. The oxidized product, usually a short-lived intermediate, may either hit the target directly or hydrolyze rapidly or, following a rearrangement reaction, convert to another species with enhanced reactivity (metaphosphate) or lose its phosphorylation or carbamoylation properties. Biomimetic studies of these processes, using various model systems, have important advantages: in some cases they allow for identifying short-lived intermediates, formed metabolically, and direct monitoring of the systems' properties by NMR. Once identified, they may be synthesized in large amount to investigate their adverse effects, if any. Biomimetic studies allow for monitoring reactions at low temperature seeking transient intermediates and evaluation of activation and detoxification mechanisms as well as mode of action based on chiral isomers. This, in turn, allows for determination of whether certain compounds act directly, on preactivation, or both, and the possible design of safer pesticides. This paper covers over three decades of extensive fundamental and applied research that has been carried out at the Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology Laboratory (ECTL) at the University of California at Berkeley under the supervision of Prof. John E. Casida.     

Predicted Concentrations for Pesticides in Drainage Dominated Catchments

Regulators need a reliable, precise and easy to use tool for predicting the occurrence of pesticides in drain water and catchments in agricultural areas. Occurrence depends on a wide range of substance and site specific factors and this study presents a simple model built on the results from simulations of a detailed model system that does not neglect or omit any of these factors. A drainage dominated sub-catchment (0.03 km²) of the Lillebaek catchment (4.4 km²) on Funen, Denmark, represented by the catchment model MIKE SHE is considered. Detailed analyses have been made with respect to geological and hydrodynamic conditions as well as measurements of pesticide concentrations in ground and surface waters. Maximum concentrations in drain water, the time for reaching this concentration and the time interval for exceeding the limit value have been derived empirically from MIKE SHE simulations using degradation rates and sorption coefficients values for 37 pesticides included in the Danish PATE database. The relatively hydrophilic bentazon and hydrophobic pendimethalin are used as model pesticides for illustration. A simple tool applicable for a wide range of pesticides has thus been designed based on detailed analyses of a limited number of pesticides. The user requirements are degradation rates, sorption coefficients, application rates and regulatory limit values for the pesticides of interest.     

Transformation of C-labelled lignin and humic substances in forest soil by the saprobic basidiomycetes Gymnopus erythropus and Hypholoma fasciculare

Litter decomposing basidiomycetous fungi produce ligninolytic oxidases and peroxidases which are involved in the transformation of lignin, as well as humic and fulvic acids. The aim of this work was to evaluate their importance in lignin transformation in forest litter. Two litter decomposing basidiomycete species differing in their abilities to degrade lignin - Hypholoma fasciculare, and Gymnopus erythropus - were cultured on sterile or non-sterile oak litter and their transformation of a ¹⁴C-labelled synthetic lignin (dehydrogenation polymer ¹⁴C-DHP) was compared with that of the indigenous litter microflora. Both in sterile and non-sterile litter, colonisation by basidiomycetes led to higher titres of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes, in particular of laccase and Mn-peroxidase (MnP). The titres of the latter were 6 to 40-fold increased in the presence of basidiomycetes compared to non-sterile litter. During 10 weeks, G. erythropus mineralised over 31% of ¹⁴C-DHP in sterile litter and 23% in non-sterile litter compared to 14% in the non-sterile control. Lignin mineralization by H. fasciculare was comparable to the non-sterile control, 12% in sterile litter and 16% in the non-sterile litter. The largest part of ¹⁴C from ¹⁴C-DHP was transformed into humic compounds during litter treatment with both fungi as well as in the control. In addition to the fast lignin mineralization, microcosms containing G. erythropus also showed a lower final content of unaltered lignin and 23-28% of the lignin was converted into water-soluble compounds with relatively low molecular mass (<5 kDa). Both G. erythropus and H. fasciculare were also able to further mineralise humic compounds. During a 10-week fungal treatment of an artificial ¹⁴C-humic acid (¹⁴C-HA) supplemented to the natural humic material of a forest soil, the fungi mineralised 42% and 19% of the labelled material, respectively, under sterile conditions. The ¹⁴C-HA mineralization by introduced basidiomycetes in microcosms containing non-sterile humic material, however, did not significantly differ from that of a non-sterile control and was around 12%. Altogether the results show that saprobic basidiomycetes can considerably differ in their rates of lignin and humic substance conversion. Furthermore, lignin degradation in forest soil can rather slow down by interspecific competition than it is accelerated by cooperation of different microorganisms occupying specific nutritional niches. Therefore, the overall contribution of saprobic basidiomycetes depends on their particular eco-physiological status and the competitive pressure, and may be often lower than initially expected. Significant lignin transformation including partial mineralization is seemingly not exclusively dependent on exceptional high titres of ligninolytic enzymes but also on so far unknown factors. Higher endocellulase production and subsequent weight loss was found in microcosms where saprobic basidiomycetes were combined with indigenous microbes. Potentially, lignin degradation by the basidiomycetes may have increased cellulose availability to the indigenous microbes.     

Chlorinated pesticide occurrence in the Uruguay River (Argentina-Uruguay)

Water samples, collected trimonthly along the Uruguay River between February 1988 and December 1989, were analyzed for alpha- and gamma-HCH, heptachlor and its epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin, and the o-p′ and p-p′ isomers of DDE, DDD and DDT to assess the present status of the contamination in this South American region. In general, chlorinated pesticides were encountered at very low concentrations. HCH isomers were the most commonly detected compounds with concentrations ranging from the detection limits to 10 ng L^?1. Heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin, p-p′ DDE and p-p′ DDT were occasionally encountered while o-p′ DDE, p-p′ DDD, o-p′ DDD and o-p′ DDT were never detected. Compared to previous studies in the area, the present data seems to indicate that there was a decrease in the concentrations of these compounds.     

The Potential for Bioremediation of Soils Containing PAHs by Composting

? Environmental contamination by synthetic polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has become a major pollution problem. Plant tissues, lignin, soil humus constituents, some pesticides, and numerous commercial organic chemicals are also based upon aromatic building blocks. Many of these molecules are potentially toxic and carcinogenic. Some PAH compounds occur naturally at a low concentration in soils. Long exposure to naturally occurring hydrocarbons has enabled bacteria to evolve enzymes that degrade them.

Landfarming and incineration are the primary technologies used for removing PAH compounds from soils and groundwater. Recent data suggest that bioremediation by PAH composting can offer significant advantages to other treatment alternatives. Landfarming is a relatively uncontrolled method of reducing PAHs in residues. Composting is quicker, more controlled, and requires less space than landfarming. Although composting is slower and less complete than incineration, it is significantly more cost-effective.

This presentation deals with the feasibility of composting PAH contaminated soils and residues. Included will be methods for process evaluation and control, degradation potential of specific PAHs, and determining the application of composting to specific situations.     

Non-target effects of bioinoculants on rhizospheric microbial communities of Cajanus cajan

“Bioinoculants” have become a useful, environment-friendly tool in agriculture to increase crop yield. Previous work has shown that Cajanus cajan, India's most important pulse, can profit considerably from applications of the three bioinoculants, viz. Bacillus megaterium MTCC 453, Pseudomonas fluorescens LPK2 and Trichoderma harzianum MTCC 801. For careful “risk assessment”, it is of interest to investigate the effect of application of such bioinoculants not only on the target crop, but also on the indigenous rhizospheric microbial community of that particular plant. To do so C. cajan treated with bioinoculants, individually as well as in combinations, was grown in pots under field conditions. Fingerprinting, using automated ribosomal spacer analysis showed distinct, highly diverse bacterial and fungal rhizospheric communities, which were differently influenced by the applied bioinoculants. Two important groups of soil microbes, actinomycetes and β-proteobacteria, were quantified using qPCR and shown to be little affected by the bioinoculants. Additionally, rhizosphere populations of groups to which the inoculants belonged were enumerated on selective media. An increase in abundance of phosphate solubilizing Bacillus sp. (73%), Pseudomonas sp. (42%), and fungi (53%) was observed with triple inoculation at maturity, as compared to control plants. Thus, there was no negative impact of the bioinoculants used in the study on specific groups of indigenous microbial community.