AN ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF SEVERAL PESTICIDES ON EARTHWORMS

Abstract

India generates around 139,000 metric tons of malathion insecticide annually, demonstrating the pervasiveness of pesticides in modern farming practices. There are a lot of facilities in the country, including around 219 technical grade manufacturing units, almost 4000 formulation units, and more. There was a comprehensive earthworm survey done at five separate sites every month. Six different kinds of earthworms were gathered from various places, including gardens, paddy fields, sugarcane fields, ponds, and edible tubers. This study focuses on the toxicity assessment of the organophosphate pesticide malathion using the earthworm species Eudrilus eugeniae as a model organism. The mortality rate at different pesticide concentrations was measured over a 24- and 48-hour period using the filter paper technique to investigate contact toxicity. After 14 days of soil toxicity trials in artificial soil, the worms who made it through the ordeal had lost weight and, in some instances, transformed physically. The vermicast of pesticide-treated earthworms was tested for the enzyme activities of catalase, protease, and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In order to learn more about the negative effects of malathion on earthworms, this study compares worm populations in soils that have been polluted with pesticides versus unsoiled soils. Important information for determining earthworm-harming concentrations of malathion is provided by the results.