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Benomyl-Soil Microbial Interactions. M. R. Siegel, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky. 40506; Phytopathology 65:219-220. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-65-219.

Benomyl added to soil caused no changes in bacterial populations, but did reduce numbers of fungi and actinomycetes. Decomposition (16-34%) of ¹⁴C ring-labeled benomyl, during 6 and 12 months incubation periods, occurred only in nonsterilized soil. Ring cleavage of the benzimidazole nucleus and metabolism of this moiety to CO₂ is apparently related to the presence of soil microorganisms.