Effect of Sulfentrazone 500 g/L SC on the Growth and Reproductive Output of Earthworm Eisenia fetida in Artificial Soil

Abstract

The chronic toxicity effect of Sulfentrazone 500 g/L SC was studied in Earthworm, Eisenia fetida to assess the growth, mortality, and reproductive output under laboratory conditions. The test concentrations of 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg dry artificial soil were selected for the experiment and adult earthworms were exposed for 35 days. No mortality or abnormal behaviour were observed in adult earthworms and there was no significant difference observed in the biomass of adult worms treated with all test concentrations (50 - 1000 mg/kg dry artificial soil) when compared with the worms in the control (Untreated artificial soil). The juveniles were counted after 60 days in the control and treated groups. The average number of juveniles were significantly decreased in the highest test concentration 1000 mg/kg dry artificial soil when compared with control group. There was no significant change observed in the average number of juveniles in the other treated groups (50 - 500 mg/kg dry artificial soil) when compared with control group. Similarly, the biomass of juveniles was significantly decreased in the highest treatment 1000 mg/kg dry artificial soil when compared with control group. The present findings revealed that there was an adverse effect on reproduction and growth of Juveniles at highest test concentration of Sulfentrazone 500 g/L SC under controlled environmental conditions.