Effect of herbicides contamination on the bio-molecules of earthworm, Eisenia fetida
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Date
2015
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
CCSHAU
Abstract
Among the soil organisms, earthworms are recognized as the most important for their role in the improvement of
physical and chemical characteristics of soil and thus increases its fertility. Eisenia fetida is the most utilized
earthworm species for organic waste management. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of
herbicides on the bio-molecules of earthworm. The results of present study showed acute toxicity of two
herbicides viz. pinoxaden and sulfuron at four different concentrations on earthworms. To assess the effect of
herbicides on the earthworm’s survival rate, growth (length and weight), reproductive efficacy and cocoon
production was monitored and it was observed that as the concentration of herbicides increased, the survival rate,
growth and cocoon production decreased. Maximum reduction in length (6.41 and 6.73 cm) and weight (0.54 and
0.61g) was in pinoxaden @ 3.0 ml/kg of soil and sulfuron @ 3.0 mg/kg soil respectively on 60
th
day of
experiment. The maximum percent decrease in the population of earthworms and rate of cocoon production was
(44.59%) and (23.07%) respectively in case of pinoxaden @ 3.0 ml/kg of soil. The impact of herbicides on
carbohydrates, lipid and protein contents was quite significant and the maximium decrease in carbohydrates
content (60.68%) followed by lipid (45.39%) and protein (19.00%) in pinoxaden @ 3.0 ml/kg soil as compared to
control. There was sharp increase in the antioxidant activity in earthworms treated with different herbicides w.r.t.
control and maximum percent increase (30.12%) in antioxidant activity was in earthworms treated with pinoxaden
@ 3.0 ml/kg soil. It was concluded that pinoxaden is comparatively more toxic on the growth parameters,
reproduction efficiency and biomlecules of E. fetida.
Description
Keywords
Herbicides, Biological phenomena, Toxicity, Biological development, Proteins, Animal products, Wastes, Concentrates, Antioxidants, Pesticides