Burns_1980_Pest.Sci_11_506

A proportion of natural substrate decay in soil is effected by extracellular enzymes tenaciously associated with the humic colloids. This indigenous catalytic component (accumulated enzyme) may also be involved in pesticide breakdown, particularly the organophosphorus compounds and the acylanilides, and this possibility is considered here. Additionally, guide-lines for detecting and then confirming the presence of accumulated pesticide-degrading enzymes are suggested.