Impact of Pendimethalin on Growth and Reproduction of Eisenia fetida

Abstract

Earthworms play a crucial role in soil quality and agricultural practices, and their populations can be influenced by various factors, including the presence of pesticides like pendimethalin used in soybean crop. This study aims to evaluate the toxicity of pendimethalin on Eisenia fetida, a common naturalized exotic earthworm species found in Kota, India. Five sets of 10 worms were exposed to different concentrations of pendimethalin (ranging from 0.474 to 47.4 mg/kg dry weight), with one set of control soil. After four weeks, the growth rate and reproduction of Eisenia fetida were significantly reduced by pendimethalin exposure, highlighting the potential negative impact of this herbicide on soil ecosystems.