GROWTH AND BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES OF AZOLLA MICROPHYLLA KAULFUSS UNDER RECOMMENDED DOSES OF CHLORPYRIFOS, BUTACHLOR AND PRETILACHLOR PESTICIDES USED FOR AGRICULTURAL CROPS OF PUNJAB

Growth and biochemical responses of Azolla microphylla Kaulfuss under recommended doses of chlorpyrifos (insecticide), butachlor and pretilachlor (herbicides) pesticides used for agricultural crops of Punjab were investigated. Azolla microphylla was grown, multiplied and maintained in plastic trays using Espinase and Watanable medium. In chlorpyrifos and butachlor treatments, freshmass, drymass, relative growth rate, total chlorophyll, carotenoid content and protein content of Azolla microphylla were maximum at 0.5 ppm on 10th, 20th and 30th day harvesting. For pretilachlor treatment, these parameters were maximum at 0.25 ppm on 10th, 20th and 30th day harvesting. Chlorpyrifos, butachlor and pretilachlor under recommended doses of 0.5 ppm, 1.5 ppm and 0.75 ppm, respectively pose no threat to the growth, metabolic activity and survival of Azolla microphylla. It is, therefore, suggested that, these pesticides are completely safe for field application for successful and efficient management of rice crop ecosystem coupled with Azolla as dual crop.