Herbicides and nutrients interaction on earthworm activity in tomato cultivated soil and toxicity appraisal

Pavani Yerra, Ponnusamy Janaki, Alaguthevar Ramalakshmi, Ramasamy Jagadeeswaran, Arjunan Sankari and Palanisamy Murali Arthanari
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Pavani Yerra: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
Ponnusamy Janaki: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
Alaguthevar Ramalakshmi: Department Agricultural Microbiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
Ramasamy Jagadeeswaran: Department of Remote sensing and Geographic Information System, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
Arjunan Sankari: Department of Vegetables, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
Palanisamy Murali Arthanari: Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India

Plant, Soil and Environment, 2023, vol. 69, issue 9, 429-436

Abstract: While nutrients are administered through various sources and combinations, herbicides are used for pre-plant and pre-emergence weed control in the tomato fields. Therefore, a study was conducted to understand the effects of nutrient fertilisation through inorganic and organic sources along with farmers practice and the application of three herbicides, namely glyphosate, pendimethalin, and metribuzin, individually or in combinations, on earthworm activity in tomato crops. The herbicides caused a significant reduction in earthworm biomass and escapement to the lower 15 cm depth. Application of pendimethalin and metribuzin to soils inorganically fertilised with major and micronutrients resulted in low survival rates and a high ecological risk quotient. The effect was attenuated when farmyard manure was applied. The study suggests that when 2 to 3 herbicides are applied in succession and combined with inorganic fertilisers as nutrient sources, stringent measures like adding organic nutrient sources, applying the correct herbicide combination, etc., must be followed to reduce their toxicity to earthworms. This helps to protect and sustain earthworm activity and biodiversity in the soil.

Keywords: Solanum lycopersicum L.; vegetable; pesticide; bioindicator; organic nutrients; tank mixing herbicides (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:69:y:2023:i:9:id:223-2023-pse

DOI: 10.17221/223/2023-PSE

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