Assessment of insecticide on the growth, reproduction and gut bacterial population of eisenia fetida
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Date
2018
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CCSHAU
Abstract
Earthworm constitutes about 80% of total soil fauna and play important role in regulating the structure
and function of soil ecosystem. They help in the formation and maintenance of physical, chemical and
biological properties of soil. Worm ingests organic enriched soil and organic material and release
vermicast and the cast harbors many beneficial bacteria than the surrounding soil. Due to excessive use
of agrochemicals especially insecticides, earthworm populations are dwindling drastically which
directly or indirectly affect the soil health and fertility. But along with benefits of good yield of various
crops there are many harmful effects of use of pesticides/chemicals. Their use not only kills target
species, but also has adverse effect to non-target organism like earthworm and due to this reason;
present study was carried out to assess the impact of insecticides on the growth, reproduction and gut
bacterial population of Eisenia fetida. Both the insecticides viz. chlorantraniliprole and fipronil, were
used individually and in combination of different concentrations. Maximum avoidance behavior
(37.78±2.22%) was observed from chlorantraniliprole @ 10.00 mg/kg exposure in comparison to other
treatments. The observations proved toxicity of insecticides individually and in combination of
different concentrations on survival rate, growth (length and weight), reproductive potential, cocoon
production, vermicast and gut microbial population. Minimum number of adult earthworm and cocoon
production was 33.67±0.88 & 39.00±1.00 respectively in the worms exposed to chlorantraniliprole
along with fipronil @ 5.00 + 8.34 mg/kg on 90th day of experimentation. Similarly minimum body
weight (0.52±0.04 gram), length gain (6.57±0.59 cm) and maximum reduction in bacterial population
in vermicast and worm’s gut were observed in the same treatment.
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