| Abstract: | Goal, Scope and Background With the advent of the Green Revolution, there has been a quantum leap in the use of synthetic herbicides and pesticides throughout the world to sustain high-yielding crop varieties. Continuous use of these synthetic chemicals leads to loss of soil fertility and soil organisms. Histopathological studies may signal a damaging effect of organisms resulting from prior or ongoing exposure to toxic agents. A large number of studies have reported general histological changes in earthworms. A fewer studies have reported more specific types of histopathological studies in Eisenia foetida, Dendrodrilus rubidus, Lumbricus terrestris, Lumbricus rubellus and Octolasium transpandanum. However, no reports are available on Perionyx sansibaricus. The aim of the present study is
(i) to determine the sublethal effects of the herbicide Butachlor on Perionyx sansibaricus on growth and cocoon production,
(ii) to evaluate the histological changes in the exposed worms.Methods The test substrate, namely powdered, dried cow dung, was contaminated with 0.0657, 0.1315 and 0.1973 mg kg–1 of Butachlor, and a control was maintained. Four groups of each 10-test species of Perionyx sansibaricus were used per concentration level (control, 0.0657, 0.1315 and 0.1973 mg kg–1). Various life history parameters such as biomass, cocoon production and histological changes were measured.Results Worm growth was observed at various exposures over 60 days. While exposing the earthworm to the herbicide, no mortality was observed, not even at a higher dose. At the end of the experiment, the control group had a mean biomass of 0.0831±0.00 mg and, in the exposed group, at herbicide concentrations of 0.1973, 0.1315 and 0.0657 mg kg–1, the mean biomass was found to be 0.0497±0.00 mg, 0.0628±0.00 mg and 0.0781±0.00 mg, respectively. The mean earthworm biomass was found to be decreased with increasing herbicide concentration. Similarly, cocoon production was also reduced by the increasing herbicide concentration. All earthworms in the exposed group were found to have glandular cell enlargement and to be vacuolated. Conclusion The results clearly indicate that Butachlor can retard the growth and cocoon production in Perionyx sansibaricus. The effect of the herbicide Butachlor can be assessed by the histological observation of the intestinal region, as evidenced by glandular cell enlargement at all the exposed concentrations, which may massively affect food intake and which in turn may indirectly inhibit the earthworm reproductive capacity.Recommendation and Outlook Risk assessment is normally aimed at the protection of human health and the ecosystem, and the interrelationship of these two areas of protection is easy to perceive. The use of earthworms in risk assessment is to obtain more information on environmental quality and ensure environmental safety. There is an urgent need to test the chemicals causing toxicity to earthworms, because earthworms play a major role in soil fertility as well as acting as a transferring route from the soil to the terrestrial ecosystem. |
