Detecting the Effects of Fungicides on Soil Bacteria Populations using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE)

Rationale Fungicide applications are a necessary practice to discourage disease development in most high quality turfgrass areas. Little is known, however, about the effects that fungicides have on resident microbial community of the soils supporting turfgrass sites. Soil bacteria are responsible for important processes including pesticide degradation, nutrient cycling, and organic matter breakdown. Thus, assessing the impact of fungicide applications on soil bacteria populations will allow for a better understanding of how the bacterial community responds to chemical inputs.