Influence of herbicides on numbers and development Lumbricus terrestris

Abstract

Unrestricted use of herbicides to control weeds in agriculture causes a decrease in sensitive individual populations of soil biota, among which Lumbricus terrestris should be noted. Because they make up a fairly significant part of the living biomass of the soil and play an important role in the functioning of the soil. The use of continuous-acting soil herbicides can cause not only 100% lethality, but also affect the functioning, growth, reproduction and habit of individuals of Lumbricus terrestris. The article has presented the results of field experiments and laboratory studies of the effect of soil herbicides of different chemical classes on the number and development of Lumbricus terrestris. The research results have established a negative effect on the development and number of individuals of the earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) in the soil of the sunflower agrocenosis due to the use of herbicides. The number of earthworm individuals was reduced by 2.1 times when applying triazine herbicides (Gezagard) and 3.7 times when applying chloracetomids (Dual Gold, Harness) on the 30th day compared to the control. In addition, laboratory studies have proven that the use of soil herbicides in the recommended application rates activates the synthesis of glutathione-S-transferase in earthworms, and its content increases by 5.6–8.9% already after a day of contact with Harness and Dual Gold (1 min D), while in contact with the herbicide Gezagard the growth was 4.1% only on the 7th day of the experiment. Inhibition of earthworm acetylcholinesterase synthesis in contact with Harness and Dual Gold occurred on average by 43.0% already after 24 h and by 23.4% with Gezagard.