Adverse Effect of Buprofezin and Acephate on Enzymatic Activities in NPK Amended and Unamended Cotton Soils

A thiadiazine compound, buprofezin, and an organophosphorous insecticide, acephate, singly, were assessed for their nontarget effects on activities of proteases, urease and acid phosphatase in NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium)-fertilizer amended and unamended cotton soils. The studied enzyme activities were adversely affected by the insecticides above 5 or 7.5 µg g −1 concentrations. Additionally, activities were declined after three applications of insecticides. Therefore, the results of the present study clearly indicate that the soil application of buprofezin or acephate at higher rates and repeated applications greatly affected the activities of studied enzymes in unamended or NPK-amended soils.