ABSTRACT

 Farmers apply herbicides to the target organisms without paying due attention to the herbicide producer's recommended rate of application as well as proper way of disposing the excess herbicides after its application. This study therefore investigated the effects of different levels of glyphosate on soil bacteria & physico-chemical properties in Uturu, Isuikwuato L.G.A, Abia State. Herbicide treatments were applied to the soil to ascertain their effects on the physical, chemical and bacteria properties of the soil and over time. There were four exposure periods at five days interval, data from the laboratory were collected four times and subjected to statistical analysis using I-test and linear correlation. Means were separated using the least significant difference at 5% probability level. There was a high significant effect (P < 0.05) of time and treatment levels in clay % and a high significant effect of time levels in sand%. P > pH> OM > OC > N. P concentration ranged from 16.05 mg/kg of control to 31.15 mg/kg of treatment 3.N concentration ranged from 0.08 % of control to 0.39 % of treatment 3. OM concentration ranged from 1.58 % of control to 4.22 % of control. OC concentration ranged from 0.92 % of control to 2.23 % of treatment 1. There was increase in P levels as treatment increased but no significant effect (P > 0.05) of time or treatment on the levels of P unlike in N where a significant effect was observed. There was also a significant effect (P <0.05) of time on the levels of both OC and OM. ECEC >Ca> Mg> K> EA > Na. ECEC concentration ranged from 9.11 cmol/kg of control to 16.23 cmol/kg of treatment 2. Ca concentration ranged from 4.50 cmol/kg of control to 8.23 cmol/kg of treatment 3. Mg concentration ranged from 2.50 cmol/kg of control and treatment level 2 to 3.85 cmol/kg of treatment 3. EA concentration ranged from 0.68 cmol/kg of treatment level 1 to 1 .48 cmol/kg. Na ranged from 0.21 crnol/kg of treatment 3 to 0.463 cmol/kg of treatment level 1. % BS ranged from 0.86 % of treatment I to 0.93 % of treatment 3.There was a high significant effect (P